Power factor controller-an integrated power quality device

This paper describes a new integrated power quality device-power factor controller (PFC) for power distribution system and industrial power circuit applications. A PFC integrates breaker-switched capacitor banks into a compact design with low cost sensing elements and an intelligent control unit. The device provides more accurate voltage control and power factor correction than traditional shunt capacitor bank installations. The integrated design of the PFC greatly simplifies the tasks and reduces the costs in system design, installation and operation of shunt capacitor compensation systems. The PFC offers advanced control functions to minimize capacitor switching transients, and to protect the load and capacitors from being affected by possible harmonic resonance associated with shunt capacitor applications in power systems.