IoT Based Underground Cable Fault Detection
Contents:
⮚ Abstract
⮚ Introduction
⮚ Block Diagram
⮚ Requirements for Hardware and Software
⮚ Specifications
⮚ Applications
⮚ Advantages
⮚ Reference
Abstract
This paper proposes fault location model for underground power cable using microcontroller.
The aim of this project is to determine the distance of underground cable fault from base station
in kilometers. This project uses the simple concept of ohm’s law. When any fault like short
circuit occurs, voltage drop will vary depending on the length of fault in cable, since the current
varies. A set of resistors are therefore used to represent the cable and a dc voltage is fed at one
end and the fault is detected by detecting the change in voltage using a analog to voltage
converter and a microcontroller is used to make the necessary calculations so that the fault
distance is displayed on the LCD display.
Introduction:
Till last decades cables were made to lay overhead& currently it is lay to underground cable
which is superior to earlier method. Because the underground cable are not affected by any
adverse weather condition such as storm,snow,heavy rainfall as well as pollution.But when any
fault occur in cable,then it is difficult to locate fault.So we will move to find the exact location of
fault. Now the world is become digitalized so the project is intended to detect the location of
fault in digital way. The underground cable system is more common practice followed in many
urban areas. While fault occurs for some reason,at that time the repairing process related to that
particular cable is difficult due to not knowing the exact location of cable fault. Fault in cable is
represented as: • Any defect, • Inconsistency, • Weakness or non-homogeneity that affect
performance of cable . • Current is diverted from the intended path . • Caused by breaking of
conductor& failure of insulation.
Overall Block Diagram:
LCD Display
Current ADC
sensing Circuit
ARM7 LPC2148
Fault
Relay Drivers Switches
Alarm
Multiplexed
Relays
Regulator
Ac Supply Transformer Rectifier
Working Principal:
The project uses the simple concept of OHMs law where a low DC voltage is applied at the
feeder end through a series resistor. The current would vary depending upon the length of fault
of the cable in case there is a short circuit of LL or 3L or LG etc. The series resistor voltage drop
changes accordingly which is then fed to an ADC to develop precise digital data which the
programmed microcontroller would display the same in Kilo meters. The project is assembled
with a set of resistors representing cable length in KMs and fault creation is made by a set of
switches at every known KM to cross check the accuracy of the same. This is proposed model of
underground cable fault distance locator using microcontroller. It is classified in four parts –DC
power supply part ,cable part, controlling part, display part. DC power supply part consist of ac
supply of 230v is step down using transformer, bridge rectifier converts ac signal to dc &
regulator is used to produce constant dc voltage. The cable part is denoted by set of resistors
along with switches. Current sensing part of cable represented as set of resistors &switches are
used as fault creators to indicate the fault at each location. This part senses the change in
current by sensing the voltage drop. Next is controlling part which consist of analog to digital
convertor which receives input from the current sensing circuit, converts this voltage into
digital signal and feeds the microcontroller with the signal. The microcontroller also forms part
of the controlling unit and makes necessary calculations regarding the distance of the fault. The
microcontroller also drives a relay driver which in turn controls the switching of a set of relays
for proper connection of the cable at each phase. The display part consists of the LCD display
interfaced to the microcontroller which shows the status of the cable of each phase and the
distance of the cable at the particular phase, in case of any fault.
Requirements for Hardware and Software
Hardware:
⮚ ARM7 LPC2148
⮚ Relay
⮚ Current Sensor
⮚ Alarm
⮚ Switches
⮚ LCD
⮚ Power Supply
Software:
⮚ Embedded.C
⮚ Keil uv5
⮚ HJTag
Technical specifications:
⮚ Operating voltage of embedded circuitry is 3.3vdc
⮚ Current consumption of device in active mode 200mill amp
⮚ Operating frequency of device is 10MHZ to 60MHZ
Advantages:
1) Economical
2) Portable
3) Low maintenance cost
4) It can be used to detect the cable fault easily
6) Less maintainance
7) It has higher efficiency
8) Less fault occur in underground cable
9)Underground cable fault location model are applicable to all types of cable ranging from 1kv
to 500kv&other types of cable fault such as-Short circuit fault, cable cuts, Resistive fault,Sheath
faults, Water trees, Partial discharges.
10) Improved public safety.
Applications:
● It can be used in Fuel supply system in underground tunnels.
● The concept can be used in electricity management system.
● The concept can be used in Home appliance Fault detection.
● The concept can be used in Making of smart cities.
References:
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frequency domain measurements. Conf. Systems and Signals and Devices, 7th International
conference, Amman. 2010; 1-6.
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[3] M.-S. Choi, D.-S. Lee, and X. Yang, “A line to ground fault location algorithm for
underground cable system,” KIEE Trans. Power Eng., pp. 267–273, Jun. 2005.
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Power Eng. Soc.General Meeting, Apr. 10–15,1994, pp. 376–382.J. Clerk Maxwell, A Treatise
on Electricity and Magnetism, 3rded., vol. 2. Oxford: Clarendon, 1892, pp.68–73.
[5] K.K. Kuan, Prof. K. Warwick, “ Real-time expert system for fault location on high voltage
underground distribution cables”, IEEE PROCEEDINGS-C, Vol. 139, No. 3, MAY 1992.
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Electr. Insul. Mag., vol. 17, no. 1, pp. 14–22, Jan./Feb. 2001.
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IEEE Trans. Power Del., vol. 25, no. 3, pp. 1363–1371, Jul. 2010.
[8] Tarlochan S. Sidhu, Zhihan Xu, “Detection of Incipient Faults in Distribution Underground
Cables”, IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery, Vol. 25, NO. 3, JULY 2010.
[9] Md. Fakhrul Islam, Amanullah M T Oo, Salahuddin. A. Azad1 , “Locating Underground
Cable Faults: A Review and Guideline for New Development” , 2013 IEEE
[10] http://www.scribd.com
