Semester

Summer

Date of Graduation

2005

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Type

MS

College

Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources

Department

Lane Department of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering

Committee Chair

Powsiri Klinkhachorn.

Abstract

The focus of this thesis is to verify the power-saving characteristics of a triac-based motor controller and reduce the harmonics associated with the device by integrating a power quality conditioner. A hardware prototype of a motor controller was constructed using a microcontroller to detect the load magnitude and fire a triac accordingly. Test results showed an average decrease in active power consumption of 23.2% with a 426.6% average increase in harmonic distortion; the largest power savings occurred with light loads. A Simulink model of a line conditioner was created, verified, and adapted to utilize a digital controller. This conditioner uses a DC capacitor and inverter to produce harmonic-compensating signals, and connects to the AC source via a link reactor. The model was combined with a model of the motor controller and the complete system was simulated. Results show a successful reduction in real power consumption with harmonic distortion below 6%.

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