Design and implementation of PC-based high performance automatic voltage regulator

This paper presents an overview of the currently employed AVRs (Automatic Voltage Regulators), the analogue and the digital, microprocessor based sampled data controlled, devices with respect to their control systems. The main design aims and constraints are examined in terms of performance specification concerning the speed, accuracy and stability of control. The contradiction between transient and dynamic stability requirements and its present day resolution by introducing Power System Stabilizing function into the AVR functions is explained. The design is implemented and tested on a 110 W synchronous generator in Power System Laboratory with an IBM personal computer acting as the real time controller. The results show that the proposed PC-based AVR are very effective for operation of a controller. These include its low cost, fast response, higher reliability and ruggedness.