1. Phase Converter Simulator AKA Voltron
Group 8
Anthony McCorvey
Ronnie Lalchan
Chris Beck
George Thompson

2. Problem
The power companies are converting the old mechanical meters to Smart meters.
Wireless Communication
Accurate Readings
KWH every hour
Power Factor
Connect/Disconnect
No jobs for meter readers
Hiring untrained contractors
Cheaper
Looking for a cost efficient method to train contractors

3. Goals
To design a product that the power companies can use for their renovations
Cost efficient
Safe
User Friendly
Test and Train

4. Design Requirements Hardware
Meter Cans
Potential Transformers
Variable Transformer
Toggle Switches/Relays
Fuses
Control Box

5. Thinking about the Design
2 Phase Configurations
Delta
Wye
Single Phase
Three Phase
How can we convert single phase to three phase?
Rotary motors etc
Too expensive
Defeats our goal
“Trick the Voltage”
That’s when Simulator was added to the name
Phase
Configuration
Phase to Ground
Phase 1 to Phase 2
Phase 2 to Phase 3
and
Phase 3 to Phase 1
*Power leg to Ground
Single Phase
Delta
120 Volts
240 Volts
Three Phase
208 Volts
Wye

6. Meter Cans (2) Three Phase Meter Cans (3) Single Phase Meter Cans
2 Wire Delta
Junction Meter
3 Wire Delta
3 Wire Wye
LED Lights
(3) Single Phase Meter Cans
2 Wire Delta
3 Wire Delta
3Wire Wye
LED Lights (Safety Precautions)

7. Potential Transformers
6 total potential transformers
3 Step-down PT’s “Configuration”
115:50 (Phase to Phase - Delta) and (Phase to Ground – Delta and Wye)
115:80 (Stinger leg Delta)
115:42 (Phase to Phase – Wye)
3 Step-Up PT’s “Multiplier”
2.4:1

8. Step-Up PT Schematic Variable Transformer Secondary Primary 115 50
11580
11542 S3
Variable Transformer

9. Voltage Calculations Phase to Ground for Wye and Delta (115:50)
50 x 2.4 = 120 Volts
Power leg to Ground (Delta) (115:80)
80 x 2.4 = 192 Volts
Specific to needs
Found a solution
Phase to Phase for Wye to Delta
Subtractive Polarity
Delta
50 x 2.4 = 120 volts
Different terminals
120 <0 – 120 <180 = 240 Volts
Wye (115:42)
42 x 2.4 = Volts
100.8 <0 – <180 = Volts

10. Control Box Variable Transformer 4 Fuses ON/OFF switch
(1) 5 Amps
(3) 2 Amps
ON/OFF switch
Safety Precautions
5 toggle switches for selection of configuration
3PDT

11. Delta Switching Sequence
Delta Single Phase
Switch 1
Switch 2
Switch 3
Switch 4
Switch 5
Phase 1&2 to Ground Up
Down
Phase 1 to Phase 2
Delta Three Phase
Power Leg to Ground
Phase 1 to Power Leg
Phase 2 to Power Leg

12. Wye Switching Sequence
Single Phase
Switch 1
Switch 2
Switch 3
Switch 4
Switch 5
Phase 1&2 to Ground Up
Down
Phase 1 to Phase 2
Wye Three Phase
Phase 1,2,&3 to Ground
Phase 1 to Phase 3
Phase 2 to Phase 3

13. Phase Converter Simulator Hardware 1

14. Changing Switches to Relays
Mechanically changes configurations
Allows microcontroller to control switching
A lower voltage device can now control the voltages of the meter cans
Eliminates need for the user to know list of combinations

15. Relays - Type Impedance Input voltage Voltage Required to operate
Current Required
Triple pole double throw (3PDT)
120 Ω
6 – 240 VAC
8 - 14V
Min of .2 A -

16. Schematic of Relay Connection

17. Testing Tested relays by realizing the schematic
For the microcontroller, we applied a steady voltage.
Connected to relays to microcontroller.
Replaced switched with relays.

18. Building First attempt: Diode parallel with relay Purpose:
Protect circuit from feedback current when relay switched
Diode shorted out the transistors
Solution:
Remove diode

19. Building Second attempt: 1K resistor
Limited current to microcontroller
Too much impedance on breadboard
Switch to 100 ohms
Blew transistors 2n2222
2n2222 didn’t have a high enough rating
Solution:
Changed transistor to TIP120

20. Software Objective
Create a Interface to compliment the Training Simulation
To allow the user to interact with the system.
To give a visual reference to the user of his or her actions
Control Relays for Configuration Purposes
Approve or Decline Users Certification

21. Software Components Microcontroller Voltmeter Circuit
LCD Screen 2 line X 20 characters

22. LCD System Flow Chart
Push Button
Voltmeter
Circuit

23. Switches to Switching Relays
Microcontroller changes configurations
Eliminates need for the user to know switch combination
Configurations can switch when required or prompted automatically

24. LCD/system Code

25. Voltmeter Circuit(Feedback)
Input Voltage ( ) |
Probes
Transformer
Full Wave Rectifier w/ Capacitor
Voltage Divider
A/D converter(microcontroller)
Problems….

26. A/D Converter -5(A/D) Voltage +5(A/D) 115V-.284V(53) 120V

27. PCB 2 Layer PCB .10” Traces Ground Plane Using PCB Express Schematic
PCB Board

28. Schematic

29. PCB Board

30. Microcontroller Vs. FPGA
PIC16F876A ATmega FPGA Basys

31. ATmega168 Features ATmega168 I/0 Pins 23 Memory Type FLASH
Program Memory (KB) 16
EEPROM (Bytes)
512
SRAM (KB) 1
Operating Voltage
5.5 Volts

32. PIC16F876A Features PIC16F876A I/0 Pins 22 Memory Type FLASH
Program Memory (KB) 14
EEPROM (Bytes)
256
SRAM (KB)
0.359
Operating Voltage
5.5 Volts

33. FPGA Basys Features FPGA Basys I/0 Pins 24 Memory Type FLASH
Program Memory (KB) 72
EEPROM (Bytes) -
SRAM (KB)
Operating Voltage
3.3 Volts

34. Microcontroller Vs. FPGA
Features
ATmega168
PIC16F876A
FPGA Basys
I/0 Pins 23 22 24
Memory Type
FLASH
Program Memory (KB) 16 14 72
EEPROM (Bytes)
512
256 -
SRAM (KB) 1
0.359
Operating Voltage
5.5 Volts
3.3 Volts
ATmega168

35. Budget Part Development Immediate Cost Prototype Total: $565.00
Switches
$10
Fuses
Enclosure
$30
Three Phase Meter Box
$140
Single Phase Meter Box
$75
Potential Transformer
$60
Wiring $0
Microcontroller
Interface
Volt Meter
A/D converter
$40
Variable Transformer
$100
User Interface
$50
Keyboard
Total:
$565.00
$725.00

36. Budget Analysis

37. Budget
Current Cost $550
Development Budget $565
Prototype Budget $725

38. Thanks
Family
Faculty
Friends