ARDUINO BASED MULTIFUNCTIONAL RELAY FOR
PROTECTION OF INDUCTION MOTOR
A Bharath Teja Reddy K Venkata Sai Kumar P Siva Rama Krishna
13071A0203 13071A0217 13071A0239
VNRVJIET VNRVJIET VNRVJIET
ABSTRACT This paper tackles the problem of three-
phase induction-motor overall protection using digital
protection algorithms. A stand-alone, microcontroller-
based digital protector is designed and implemented.
Many algorithms are developed to realize the various
functions of the protector. Moreover, the electrical and
thermal behaviour of the induction motor is studied.
The implemented protection system can be programmed
to suit a wide range of induction motor sizes, and to
monitor the motor parameters during its operation and
after a fault occurrence through seven-segment display
units. The relay protection functions that are considered
in this implementation are single-phasing, over-
temperature, supply under-voltage, supply over-voltage,
heavy over-currents.
INTRODUCTION
Induction motor is one of the most common
electrical motor used in most applications. This motor is
also called as asynchronous motor. Induction motors are
generally utilized as part of industry as they are robust,
reliable, durable, simple, low priced and easy to maintain.
They run at essentially constant speed from zero to full load.
The three-phase induction motor is a self-starting motor and
protection of this motor from various electrical faults is
need. Induction motor is most widely used motor hence
protection of induction motor plays significant role in its
long-life service.
[1]The sources of over-voltage and over-current
will be manmade or natural. Plausible causes for over-
current include short circuits, excessive load and incorrect
design. The circuit of over-voltage and over-current, single-
phasing are completely controlled by microcontroller.
Microcontroller which provides the control over the motor
and it monitors the voltage of three phases. When faulty
condition take place or in case of abnormal condition motor
1
R Sukumar Mrs.S.Poornima
13071A0242 Assistant Professor
VNRVJIET VNRVJIET
stops. With the help of current sensor which senses the
current if the current exceeds the predetermined value then
signal is sent to the microcontroller and it stop the motor
and type of fault is displayed on the LCD display.
Microcontroller used in this paper is ARDUINO MEGA
2560.
The overall cost of the protection equipment should
not be more than 15% of the total cost of actual machine.
Keeping this in mind design has been proposed.
FAULTS
(i) Overvoltage
High voltage on a motor tends to push the magnetic
portion of the motor into saturation.[2] This causes the
motor to draw excessive current in an effort to magnetize
the iron beyond the point where magnetizing is practical.
Motors will tolerate a certain change in voltage above the
design voltage. However, extremes above the design voltage
will cause the amperage to go up with a corresponding
increase in heating and a shortening of motor life.
(ii) Undervoltage
When you subject a motor to voltages below the
nameplate rating, some of the motor's characteristics will
change slightly and others will change dramatically. [3] To
drive a fixed mechanical load connected to the shaft, a
motor must draw a fixed amount of power from the line.
Thus, when voltage gets low, the current must increase to
provide the same amount of power. An increase in current is
a danger to the motor only if that current exceeds the
motor's nameplate current rating. When amps go above the
nameplate rating, heat begins to build up in the motor. MOTORPROTECTION SCHEME
Without a timely correction, this heat will damage the
motor. The more heat and the longer the exposure to it, the Figure.1 shows the overall Block Diagram of the protection
Scheme. The data gathered from the voltage transformers
more damage to the motor. are transferred to the microcontroller digitally by passing
through the voltage sensing circuit.
(iii) Overcurrent

The term overcurrent refers to abnormal current flow

higher than the normal value of current flow in an electrical
circuit. Uncorrected overcurrent can cause serious safety
hazards and costly damage to electrical equipment and
property.[4] Fuses and most circuit breakers are installed in
electrical circuits to open and stop the flow of
overcurrent. Fuses and typical circuit breakers respond
and open for both low and high values of overcurrent flow.
Limiters and magnetic only circuit breakers respond
only to high values of overcurrent flow.

Fig.1 Block Diagram

(iv) High Temperatures
SOFTWARE FlOWCHART

When applying motors to any type of application,

temperature effects need to be considered in order to
properly apply the motor. Performance will change as the
motor temperature increases.[4] When reviewing motor
curves, the user needs to ask the question Do these curves
represent performance of the motor at room temperature, or
do these curves illustrate performance at the maximum rated
temperature? Depending on the temperature and the
required operating point on the motor curve, the
performance difference between cold and hot conditions
can be significant.
As the motor temperature increases, the resistance
will increase and the torque constant and voltage constant
will decrease. This results in an increase in no-load speed
and a decrease in locked-rotor torque. Thereby, damaging
The setting operations of the microcontroller peripheral
units are implemented when the system is opened for the
first time. Then the primary values belonging to the motor
are entered. After these values are entered, the start for the
running of the motor is given. After the starting delay, the
motor is started and gathering of data begins. These data are
compared with the previously entered reference values.
Once a fault occurs, immediately after the specified time
delay, the trip signal activates the normally closed relay and
thus opens the supply to the Induction Motor. The fault
message code is displayed in the segment LCD display.

2
 The ACS 712 Current Sensor module is used to sense the
current from the phase conductor and gives the output D.C
voltage to Arduino Mega 2560.[1] The Output For the
Circuit Description corresponding 1 A flow in conductor gives 185mV from the
(i)Voltage Sensing circuit output of current sensor. This sensor can withstand up to
10A of current in phase

Fig.2.2 Current sensing circuit

Fig .2.1 Voltage Sensing Circuit

(iii) Temperature Circuit
A Negative temperature coefficient type of thermistor is
used for detecting temperature across induction motor. The
[1] Three 240V/6V Bridge step down transformer has basic operation of thermistor is the resistance in thermistor
increases while there is decrease in temperature. Hence the
been used for the measurement of the phase
voltage generated is high compared to normal temperature
voltages. The rectifier circuit has been used to rectify the working conditions. This voltage is read by Arduino
low voltage signal The output is calibrated across the microcontroller Mega 2560 analog pin and correspondingly
Algorithm is written.
potentiometer as per the requirement of the
microcontroller. The variation in the dc input of the
microcontroller is proportional to the variation in the
supply voltage. There may be some normal fluctuation
in the power system which can exist for few cycles,
and tripping of motor for these fluctuations is not
required [11]. Taking this into consideration, the value
of resistor across the capacitor has been chosen
accordingly. Three sets of the setup mentioned above
have been used for the three phases of the supply given to
the motor. Schematic diagram of step down transformer unit
is shown in fig.2.1

(ii) Current sensing Circuit

3

Fig .2.3 Temperature circuit
Laboratory Setup
Fig 3.1 Overall Setup
In This setup, the ammeter and voltmeter is
connected for the reference values and power supply is
given to relay and Arduino Mega 2560 for operation, we are
using auto transformer instead of direct supply as former is
more safe and flexible. The reference values are then
compared with instate-nous values and corresponding
decision is taken accordingly to the algorithm. Also, the
below system works till 10 Amperes and motors rated up-to
4
440V (line-to-line) voltages. However, For Single phasing
fault we have chosen load bank Instead of Induction motor
for better performance and life of motor.
Waveforms For various faults
(i)Undervoltage
In under voltage protection of 3 phase induction
motor provides the protection from the under voltage.
During Under-voltage fault, The motor torques is reduced
and to compensate the torque, more current is drawn. Hence
Arduino will protect the motor from undervoltages.
The reference values are continuously compared
with instate nous values and trips the entire circuit if the
undervoltage limit is crossed.
the motor is running at 220 V Phase-Neutral voltage and in
Fig.3.2 The voltage fall below 160V, at that point the
Arduino trips the Circuit and protects the motor from
undervoltages.
Fig. 3.2 Undervoltage waveforms
(ii) Overcurrent
The ACS 712 Sensor is used for measuring the
current in phase conductor, The external dc supply is given
to each of the current sensor for the sensor to work. This
sensor works on Hall effect where the corresponding D.C
supply is produced for current flow in conductor, For 1 Amp
of current in phase conductor produces 135mV D.C and is
sensed by Arduino, correspondingly trips the circuit if the

limits are exceeded.

The current is 1A at normal working conditions and in

Fig.3.3, The current is exceeded and the Arduino trips the
circuit. Thus, Protecting the motor from overcurrents

Fig.3.4 Temperature Waveforms

(iv)Overvoltage
The protection circuit is same as the under-voltage circuit
but the algorithm is different, i.e., the samples are taken for
a period of time and if the overvoltage is exceeded the
Arduino trips the circuit and protects the motor form
damaging. The voltage is sensed using voltage sensing
circuit , then the output of each rectifier is sent to Arduino
and acts accordingly
Fig.3.3 Overcurrent waveforms

(iii) Temperature the motor is running at 220 V Phase-Neutral voltage and in

The circuit is simple, whenever there is heat or Fig.3.5 The voltage exceeds 260V, at that point the Arduino

increase in temperature to the level where it crosses the trips the Circuit and protects the motor from overvoltages.

threshold, the Arduino trips the circuit and protects the

motor, the corresponding increase in heat will reduces the
resistance across the thermistor. Thereby, increasing the
voltage, which-upon the Arduino picks the signal and acts
accordingly. But the thermistor should be given external
battery supply and also resistance is fixed initially to limit
high current.
This is taken care by Arduino Vcc 5V pin which
acts as a external supply to thermistor.

The temperature is at room Temperature and whenever the

temperature exceeds the threshold temperature i.e,. In
Fig .3.5 Overvoltage waveforms
Fig.3.4, the Arduino trips the circuit and protects the motor
from High temperatures

CONCLUSION

5
This paper presents more flexible and reliable system for
protecting Induction motor against the faults created by
unbalanced voltage, under voltage and single phasing. The
LCD segment display of the system simply indicates the
type of fault. The implementation of the design is performed
on ARDUINO MEGA 2560 microcontroller. Hardware tests
were made using 3-ph, 1.8A, 0.75 KW, 415V squirrel cage
induction motor and the results were satisfactory.[1] This
system is flexible in the range settings, so it can be applied
to different motors in every situation, quickly changed if the
need arises.

REFERENCES

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