Automatic power factor control of a variable load employing the field excitation of a synchronous motor

Abstract

This project involves the design, construction and testing of a control circuit for a synchronous compensator which is essentially a synchronous motor operating at leading power factor. The proposed control circuit senses the load power factor and produces an actuating signal to control the field current and hence the level of over excitation of the synchronous motor. The amount of reactive power generated should be such that the power factor of the load is improved and kept constant at a predetermined level, even if the reactive power required by the load varies. The thesis describes the method of how smooth power factor correction is achieved automatically.