POWER FACTOR IMPROVEMENT BY USING STATIC VARIABLE COMPENSATOR

This project aims to improve the power factor of transmission lines using a static variable compensator. Traditional methods using large rotating parts were inefficient and prone to damage. Static VAR Compensation under FACTS employs Thyristor Switched Capacitors (TSC) controlled by a programmed microcontroller. This system compensates the power factor using thyristor-switched capacitors, where the zero voltage and zero current pulses are fed to a microcontroller. Previously, power factor compensation relied on large machines like synchronous condensers or switched capacitor banks. Shunt capacitive compensation, where a shunt capacitor is connected to draw current leading the source voltage, improves the power factor for inductive loads. The program controls opto-isolators interfaced with SCRs to achieve near-unity power factor. The project can be further enhanced with thyristor-controlled triggering for precise power factor correction.