Optimal LC compensators for nonlinear loads with uncertain nonsinusoidal source and load characteristics

A method is presented for finding the optimum fixed LC combination for power factor compensation of nonlinear loads where both source and load impedances are represented as randomly time-varying quantities. The distribution characteristics of these random variables at a supply bus can be experimentally determined by using a microcomputer-based parameter estimator. If maximum power factor is the main concern, the optimal LC combination corresponding to maximum average power factor is obtained for any given compensator cost. Laboratory tests show the optimization algorithm and the parameter estimator to be very efficient and accurate