Implementation of an Electronically Based Active Power Filter Associated with a Digital Controller for Harmonics Elimination and Power Factor Correction

Abstract

This paper introduces simulation study and hardware implementation of a shunt active power filter (SAPF). The SAPF is considered an effective method for improving power quality by enhancing the power factor and reducing the total harmonic distortion (THD) for power sources due to nonlinear loads. A digital notch filter is used for extracting the reference current signal. The hysteresis band current controller is used to generate gating switching signals that control the switches of SAPF. The proposed model is constructed using Simulink/MATLAB environment and Proteus VMS, and the performance of the model is tested through a simulation study. The model of SAPF with a digital notch-filter is implemented using the Arduino microcontroller and a printed circuit board (PCB) layout. The model emulating a single-phase SAPF prototype is built and tested in the University of Kafrelshiekh, Faculty of Engineering laboratory. Significant improvements in power quality issues confirm the ability and effectiveness of SAPF, as well as reducing THD to a level less than 5%, which is in proportion to IEEE Std. 519-1992 and IEEE Std. 519-2014. The results emphasize the importance of SAPF to mitigate harmonics problems and enhance power factors.