<![CDATA[Micro-hydro power plants (PLTMH) need effective frequency regulation to maintain operational stability during electrical load changing. This research presents the design and experimental evaluation of a Programmable Logic Controller (PLC)-based Electronic Load Controller (ELC) using an 8-bit Binary Combination Switch (BCS) and Proportional-Integral-Derivative (PID) control for generator frequency regulation. The system utilizes a Zelio Smart Relay PLC to process generator frequency errors and control binary-weighted resistive dummy loads via relay combinations. Experimental testing was conducted on a 1.1 kVA three-phase synchronous generator under load increments of 100 W, 200 W, and 300 W Test results indicate minimum frequency values of 49.8 Hz, 49.5 Hz, and 49.1 Hz, while maximum transient frequencies reached 50.5 Hz, 50.4 Hz, and 50.4 Hz. Maximum overshoot values were recorded at 1.0%, 0.8%, and 0.8%, with steady-state errors of 0.2%, 0.2%, and 0.4%, respectively. The frequency operating range of 49–51 Hz centered around the 50 Hz reference value; results show the system achieved stable operation approximately 30 seconds after the final load disturbance. The study demonstrates that the proposed PLC-based ELC is capable of regulating dummy load power through discrete binary relay combinations and maintaining the generator frequency close to the reference value under the tested load conditions]]>
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