IOT BASED MONITORING OF DISTRIBUTION

TRANSFORMER
1.Suparna Pal,Assistant Prof,EE Department,JIS College of Engineering,Kalyani,Nadia.West Bengal
Email Id:-suparna.pal@jiscollege.ac.in, Contact Number:-9432305904
2.Pritam Banerjee,Nipun Gayary,Manik kumar Maity,Dishayan Debnath,Bhaskar Das,Stuents of
B.Tech,EE Final Year,JIS College of Engineering,Kalyani,Nadia,west Bengal

Key words:- Smart Technology, Transformer Fault, IOT implementation ,Flowchart, Hardware and
Software implementation, Future Scope.

ABSTRACT

Transformers are the vital part of the transmission and distribution system. Monitoring of transformers
and prediction of fault is very difficult in current situations as transformer is always operated in
overloaded condition. So chance of transformer fault is high in current scenario. So inspection, prediction
of fault and maintenance is very difficult because it creates unreliability of power station. Current systems
can provide information about the state of a transformer but are either offline or very expensive online
system to implement. Present scenario maintenance cost is very high due to the cost of the scheduled and
unscheduled maintenance, especially at remote sites. So to maintained uninterrupted power supply to
distribution side, Power Company is given main focus in transformer maintenance in offline. But todays
power system is highly interconnected in grid network so it very difficult to maintained 100 % reliability
in the system by offline maintenance. So to maintained reliable and quality supply to distribution section
it is important to proper look after transformer health condition by digitally. It is possible only when we
are implementing new technologies in the existing system in better way. This paper is highlighting a new
idea of transformer fault prediction by using IOT devices. Online transformer diagnostics using
conventional technologies like carrier power line communication, radio frequency based control systems,
supervisory control and data acquiring systems, distributed control system and internet based
communication having their own limitations but this method having much more better compare then
existing and previous running online monitoring method.

GSM is an open, digital cellular technology used for transmitting mobile voice and data services. This
project objective is to develop low cost solution for monitoring health conditions of remotely located
distribution transformers using GSM technology to print premature failure of distribution transformer and
improving the reliability of services to the customers. An embedded based hardware design is developed
to acquire data from electrical sensing systems. It consists of a sensing system, signal conditioning
electronic circuit, advanced embedded hardware for middle level computing, a powerful computer for
further transmission of data s to various places. A powerful GSM networking is designed to send data
from a network to another network for proper corrective actions at the earliest. Any change in parameter
of transmission is sensed to protect the entire system .The performance of prototype model developed is
tested for monitoring various parameters like transformer’s over load, over voltage, over temperature, and
oil level.

1. INTRODUCTION

Electricity is one of the essential sources in our daily life. As for the humans the dependency of electricity
is really vital, usually for households, industrial and many other purposes. So Power System comes in the
picture as it plays an important role for generating and transmitting electricity to the required consumers.
It consists of many components and equipments that help to transfer electricity with certain measures and
protections and one of the most important components is known to be transformer. It is also said that
transformer is the heart of the power system. Its role is to either step up or step down for transmitting the
power generally. As these devices are being operated for several years so they also require a proper
maintenance and conditioning to increase their life span and work in proper manner for avoiding certain
failures like overloading, heating of high or low voltage current which can be a cause for unavailability of
supplied power to the consumers and cause for expenses of capital investment. Overloading, oil
temperature load current and ineffective cooling of transformer are the major cause of failure in
distribution transformer.

2.ISSUES REGARDING FAULT IN TRANSFORMER

As large numbers of transformers are distributed in wide area so in present situation the monitoring
has been propagated as it has gone through manual operation. So the humans has to go to the transformer
along with testing kit to monitor as periodic monitoring which consumes more time. So as there are many
transformers distributed in large area so it is difficult to maintain and measure the condition manually of
every single transformer. Such as-

i. Normal transformer measurement system generally detects a single transformer parameter. While
some ways could recognize multi parameter, the time of acquisition and operation
parameters is too long and testing pace is not sufficiently quick.
ii. A monitoring system can only monitor the operation state or guard against steal the power, and is not
able to monitor all useful data of distribution transformers to reduce costs.

iii. Auspicious detection data will not be sent to observing centers in time, which cannot judge
distribution transformers three phase equilibrium.

iv. Detection system itself is not reliable. The main principle execution is the device itself instability, poor
anti jamming capability, low measurement accuracy of the data.

So to avoid such failure there should a advance monitoring system to detect the fault in real time with
minimizing of human involvement such as overloading of current and voltage ,transformer oil and
encompassing temperature and humidity fault in transformer and send it to monitoring system .

It provides the necessary information about the health of the transformer. This will help
and guide the utilities to optimally use the transformer and keep this equipment in operation for longer
period which is in terms known as IOT or Internet of things.

3. PROPOSED SYSTEM TO OVERCOME THE FAULT OCCURANCE IN TRANSFORMER

This proposed paper presents design and implementation of an IOT embedded system to measure load
current, over voltage, transformer oil level, oil temperature. This is implemented by using online
measuring system using Internet of Things (IOT), with single chip arduino microcontroller and sensors. It
is installed at the distribution transformer site. The output values of sensors are processed and recorded in
the system memory. System defined with some predefined instruction to check abnormal condition. If
there is any abnormality on the system, details are automatically updated in the internet through serial
communication. The Internet of Things (IOT) will help the utilities to optimally utilize transformers and
identify problems before any catastrophic failure occurs. Thus online measuring system is used to collect
and analyze temperature data over time. So transformer health monitoring will help to identify or
recognize unexpected situations before any serious failure which leads to a greater reliability and
significant cost savings.

Transformer is one of the essential electrical equipment that is used in power system. Monitoring of
transformer for the problem before they occur can prevent faults that are costly to repair and result in a
loss of electricity. Currently, failure of transformer can be detected by color changing of silica gel and
decrease in quality and viscosity of oil.
 The main aim of the project is to acquire real time data of transformer remotely over the internet falling
under the category of Internet of Things –

i. For this real time aspect we take one temperature sensor , one potential and current transformer
(that acts like a sensor) for sense sing and monitoring parameters like voltage , temperature
and current of transformer
ii. These three analog values are taken in multiplexing mode and connected to a programmable
microcontroller arduino UNO.

4. INTERNET OF THINGS:

The internet of things (IoT) is a system interrelated computing devices, mechanical and digital machines
provided with unique identifiers (UIDs) and the ability to transfer data over a network without requiring
human to human or human to computer interaction.

It refers to a type of network to connect anything with the internet based on stipulated protocols through
information sensing equipments to conduct information exchange and communication in order to achieve
smart recognitions, positioning, tracing, monitoring and administration.

5. CHARACTERISTICS:

i. With regard to IOT anything can be with the global information and communication
infrastructure.
ii. The devices in the IOT are heterogeneous as based on different hardware platform and network.
They can interact with each other devices or service platform through different networks.
iii. The IOT is capable of providing things related services within the constraints of things such as
privacy protection and semantic consistency between physical things and their associated
 virtual things. In order to provide within constraints of things, both the technologies in
physical world and information world is change.
iv. As we gain benefits from IOT, we must not forget about safety. As both the create and recipients
of the IOT, we must design for safety. This includes the safety of our personal data and the
safety of our physical well being.

6. LITERATURE SURVEY

As we know the power transformers are one of the most important aspects of electric networks. They are
very expensive in industrial purpose and for household too. So the monitoring systems will be valuable
for preventing damage to them. Experts are required to examine the transformers to make an appropriate
decision in case of problems occurred to prevent premature damage. With the help of internet, it is
possible to collect appropriate information from the widely spread transformer around the geography
connecting to a central node for monitoring purposes under the supervision of high voltage engineering
experts. The aim of this paper is to view the main problems related to power transformer and review the
mitigation methods for the monitoring of power transformer

There are various kinds of developments, papers and thesis work done for this. The supervisory control
and data-Acquisition (SCADA) system has been developed from about 1998 and it is in use from
generations up to substation level. Here a case, that it is not used fully to control monitoring of
transformer status and mainly focused on GSM technologies and stays in substation level.

i)In the journal of Energy and power Engineering 7 (2016) 2181-2187, Samson et al published a paper
titled “Development and implementation of GSM-based distribution Automation system with graphic
user Interface in Nigeria electric power distribution Network”. They come up to develop a distribution
automation system for Nigeria’s electric power distribution network mainly using GSM network for
communication on the published paper. [1]

ii) In the thesis paper titled “development of a novel fault management in distribution system using
distribution automation system in conjunction with GSM communication” implementation and
development of novel fault management at low voltage to enhance depending of power for the customer
was focused on. As far the system has been induced with current sensor as field data interface device,
GSM as communication network, computer/mobile phones as master terminal device and visual basic as
human machine interface (HMI) software. To find the fault location they come up with a fault design
development of WCDMA based DTMS 12 management strategy which finds fault location effectively
without human interaction after a fault occurred. This thing was published on the international journal of
Smart Grid and Clean Energy, vol.2 , no. 3. [2]

iii) On another thesis paper published on the IQRS journal of Electrical and Electronics Engineering
titled “Arduino Based substation Monitoring and control system with GSM modem” , Amit Sachan
designed a project to acquire the remote electrical parameter like voltage, current and frequency and sends
these values to GSM network using GSM modem/phone also with the temperature at power station. By
operating Electromagnetic Relay their objective is to protect the electrical circuit so they designed the
project for this purpose. Here the relay can be used to operate a circuit breaker to switch off the main
electrical supply. In the form of SMS user can send commands to check the remote electrical parameters.
The system there by can also send the real time electrical parameters periodically in the form of SMS.
Whenever the circuit breaks or current exceeds the limit the system is designed tp send SMS alert. [3.4.5]

This paper study will be better monitoring compare than above .This monitoring scheme can access
anywhere of world that fault deduction, rectification will be much simpler than any other methods.

7.CIRCUIT DIAGRAM [9]

BLOCK DIAGRAM
8. MATERIALS USED AND EXPERIMENTAL TECHNIQUES:

COMPONENTS USED :- Arduino Board,LCD DISPLAY (16*2), GSM Module, Capacitor, Transistor,
Cables and Connectors, Diodes, PCB, LED, Transformer,RELAY,Sensors

Arduino Board:-
The uno R3 CH340 G development board is the low costversion of the popular uno R3 Arduino. It is
assembled with the CH340 USB to serial converter chip. The only time the CH340 chip is used in during
programming and when using the serial output of the USB port. This board is more identical for using.

9. WORKING PROCESS (ALGORITHAM)

The main motive of our paper is to build a protective circuit for the distribution transformer. So as per
the determined diagram we have executed the various working points.

 As the power is being supplied from the source, so before letting supplied power to the
distribution transformer, the supplied power is to be examined. So No fault can occur.
 The supplied power is being transmitted to the power transformer to the all devices which is
being connected to the circuit. The power transformer is being stepped down for a conversion of
Ac to DC.
 As the power is being converted to Ac to DC for the purpose of low input voltages devices (so
that no devices is being affected).The DC voltage is supplied to (arduino uno, different sensors (
current, voltage, temperature, ultrasonic),display, GSM module, Fan (DC). As the DC voltage is
divided into two ways. One is being regulated to low voltage for the supply of arduino uno and
other is given to the fan
 Now as arduino is being with some voltages. It has been activated and devices which are being
interfaced with it (sensors) also get the input voltage from the arduino and also the GSM module.
 As all the sensors are being activated to the required input supply. So now it fetches all the data
value.
 The sensors (current, voltage) gather the values of the supply source and recorded which is being
displayed at real time. The temperature sensor senses the temperature of transformer at real time
and also the sonic sensor checks the oil level of transformer in real time.
 Now as the sensors (which are the inputs) has being programmed or got it is own threshold limit.
If the accessed data’s are more than that real time, it occurs to be a fault.
 So the fault power is being eliminated by disconnecting the supply before it is being accessed to
the distribution transformer through relay.
 Similarly temperature sensor, the temperature increases to its limit, the fan is being activated for
cooling purpose.
The recorded data can be sending through GSM module and can be accessed from anywhere. This helps
in identifying without human dependency. This helps in identifying and solving a problem before a failure
without human dependency.
10. SOFTWARE PART
RESULT:-

We have run the program and successfully implemented in Chip but due to Pandemic situation we are not
implemented it in real transformer still now.

#include<LiquidCrystal.h> ///initilized lcd

LiquidCrystal lcd(5,6,7,8,9,10); // creat instance
int fan_pin=13; //initilized fan output pin
//////////////////////////////////////////
int trigg_pin=0; //initilized sonic sensor output pin
int echo_pin=1; // initilised sonic sensor input pin
/////////////////////////////////////////
float value; //for current sensor
float voltage;
float current;
float temp; //for temp sensor
float distance; // for sonic sensor
///////////////////////////////////////
void sonic()
{
digitalWrite(trigg_pin,LOW);// declare pin as low
delayMicroseconds(2); // for 2 micro second
digitalWrite(trigg_pin,HIGH);// declare pin as high
delayMicroseconds(10); // for 10 micro second

float duration=pulseIn(echo_pin,HIGH); // store echo_pin value in duration

distance=(duration*0.0343)/2; // eqation of sound speed

////////////////////////////
// for displaying poutpose
lcd.setCursor(1,0);
lcd.print("DISTANCE:");
lcd.setCursor(10,0);
lcd.print(distance);
delay(1000);
lcd.clear();
if (distance<10)
{
}
}
void temprature()
{
temp=analogRead(A1);// take input at temp

//for displaying pourpose

lcd.setCursor(1,0);
lcd.print("TEMP:");
lcd.setCursor(6,0);
lcd.print((temp-2)/2);
delay(1000);
lcd.clear();
// condition
if(temp>50);
{
digitalWrite(fan_pin,HIGH);
}
}
void current_sensor()
{
value=analogRead(A0); // take input
voltage=(value*12)/508;
current=(voltage-0.5)/185;
// for displaying pourpose

////////////////////////
lcd.setCursor(1,0);
lcd.print("VOLTAGE:");
lcd.setCursor(9,0);
lcd.print(voltage);
delay(1000);
lcd.clear();
///////////////////////
lcd.setCursor(1,0);
lcd.print("CURRENT:");
lcd.setCursor(11,0);
lcd.print(current);
delay(1000);
lcd.clear();
}
void setup() {
lcd.begin(16,2); // decleare lcd
pinMode(fan_pin,OUTPUT); // declare fan_pin as output
digitalWrite(fan_pin,LOW); // declare initial fan_pin at LOW
pinMode(trigg_pin,OUTPUT); // declare fan_pin as output
pinMode(echo_pin,INPUT); // declare fan_pin as input
}
void loop() {
current_sensor();
temprature();
sonic();
}
11. ADVANTAGES:
• Here are some advantages of IOT based power failure monitoring system:-

Communication: The communication between devices of IOT based power failure detection system,
also known as machine to machine communication. Because of this the physical devices are able to stay
connected and available with good quality.
Automation and control : By using the detection system the physical objects are connected and
controlled digitally with the wireless system, there is a huge amount of automation and control in the
research work without human observations the machine are able to connected and communicate with each
other.
Information:
In this IOT based power failure detection system that having more information helps making its better
decisions as need to know what kind of changes happened in this system.
 Monitoring : The most probably advantage in this detection system continuously measuring the voltage,
current load variations and any changes in Power transformer. With the help of this advantage we know
the exact quality supplies on the power transformer.
Time : In the today’s modern life, we all could use more time. In the previous examples the amount of
time saved because of IOT could be quite large.

12. FUTURE SCOPE:

In this IOT based power failure detection system is designed for the assessment of power transformer in
the control and considering electrical, mechanical and physical transformers parameters. This system can
be used to help continuously measuring the voltage, current load variations and any changes of power
transformer. The study of present method of the power transformer condition monitoring, analyzing the
power and fault diagnosis indicated few problems as shown as below:

1. The power failure detection system can be modified to access more number of transformer parameters
for analyzing the condition and diagnosis of all the types of faults.
2. The monitoring system can be made advanced and multi access system with flexibility and reliable
techniques and detection technologies.
3. This monitoring system can be used for current, voltage load variations and any changes in power
transformer.

13. CONCLUSION:

In electrical network power transformer being the vital and essential device has gained the maximum
importance. Experiences the electrical, thermal, electromagnetic and mechanical stress which leads to an
fault in operating condition of a step down power transformer. These power fault leads to failure of power
transformer and sudden breakdown or failure leads to unplanned output of power transformer. It can be
effect of designer of life span of step down power transformer and its cost effective. If suddenly the
voltage up or voltage down in a step down power transformer it can be also a fault in Transformer.

In this project work a fault detection system of a step down transformer is denoted and developed as
IOT based monitoring of power failure in transformer detection system. The research work means IOT
based monitoring of power failure in transformer detection system enhanced our practical knowledge. The
smooth functioning of transformer failure detection system depends of IOT means INTERNET OF
THINGS to a large extent to the Arduino based projects.

This system is monitoring the power fault on the power transformer continuously measuring the side of
voltage, current and transformer load variations. This developed transformer power failure detection
system experimentally verified with results in the laboratory only. Real life implementation is necessary
to implement any project. Hopefully we will do it after pandemic situation is over.

14.REFERANCES :

1.Bhoopesh N. Chaudhri Makarand s. Ballal, “ wireless condition monitoring techniques of power

transformer and formulation of health Index ”, International journal of science and research (IJSR),
ISSN:2319-7064, Vol 5 Issue 3,March 2016,pp: 2222-22.
2. Bhoopesh N. Chaudhri and Makarand s. Ballal “ Remote condition monitoring techniques of
transformer using single Board computer”, International journal of Engineering Trends and Technology
(IJETT), ISSN : 2231-5381,Vol 32 number 6,Feb 2016,pp. 275-280.
3. Monika Agrawal and Akshay pandya, “IOT based condition Monitoring of Transformer”, IJSRD-
International journal for scientific research and development, Vol. 1,Issue 12,2014.
4. Hongyan Mao, “Research of wireless Monitoring system in power Distribution transformer Station
Based on GPRS”, Vol 5, 2010 IEEE.
5. Pathak A. K. Kolhe, A. N. Gagare J. T and khemnan sm, “GSM based Distribution transformer
monitoring and controlling system”, vol-2,Issue 2,2016.
6. D.Sarathkumar, Uvaraj.M, Kabilesh Kumar C V, Kalaiselvi “A Real Time Transformer Health
Monitoring System using IOT “International Journal of Advanced Research in Science, Engineering and
Technology Vol. 5, Issue 11, November 2018

7. DOI: 10.1109/iCCECE46942.2019.8941980 Conference: IEEE International Conference on

Computing, Electronics and Communications Engineering, At London Design and Implementation Smart
Transformer based on IoT

8. Mrs. A. P. Khandait1 , Swapnil Kadaskar2 , Girish Thakare3 Assistant Professor1 , UG scholar2, 3

Department of Electronics Engineering Priyadarshini College of Engineering, Nagpur, India.”Real Time
Monitoring of Transformer using IOT” International Journal of Engineering Research & Technology
(IJERT) http://www.ijert.org ISSN: 2278-0181 IJERTV6IS030200 (This work is licensed under a Creative
Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.) Published by : www.ijert.org Vol. 6 Issue 03, March-
2017

9. http://www.engineeringprojects.com/Recruitment_form.asp

10. https://www.internetsociety.org/sites/default/files/ISOC-IoTOverview-20151014_0.pdf