Design and Implementation of a

Microgrid-Fault Response System

ADITYA WASEKAR SHUBHAM SARKAR
Electronics Engineering Electrical Engineering
Vidyalankar Institute of Technology Fr. C. Rodrigues Institute of Technology
Wadala, Mumbai, India Vashi, Navi Mumbai, India
adityawasekar@gmail.com shubham.isarkar@gmail.com

AKASH PATIL ADITYA HARTALKAR

Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering
Fr. C. Rodrigues Institute of Technology Fr. C. Rodrigues Institute of Technology
Vashi, Navi Mumbai, India Vashi, Navi Mumbai, India
akashpatil1023@gmail.com hartalkaraditya@gmail.com

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as samples of voltage, current and contact data. These meets
demand for the traditional methods because of their self-
checking ability, flexibility, scalability, recording ability and
communication capability. This sample values showed at
voltage and current waveforms determines the type of fault of
transmission lines which helps to determine the proper
protective actions for the internal relaying algorithms.
Furthermore, the sampled data is analysed by the voltage phase
plot on MATLAB to identify the various faults occurring in
the transient line region. These faults are transmitted via
Profibus network protocol to the linked database which
predicts the appropriate faults and identifies the further faults
of transmission line.
II. ARCHITECTURE
Fault measurements are synchronized with embedded
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I. INTRODUCTION
The increasing development of renewable energies together
with the systems of distributed generation is reaching to more
and more users. Distribution lines are constantly subject to
several fault conditions caused by factors such as adverse
weather and equipment malfunction. Fault currents can
damage the distribution infrastructure and may create energy
interruption that could be momentary or sustained depending
on the magnitude of the fault current and nature of the fault. In
order to minimize outage time and provide high quality
978-1-5090-6348-2/17/$31.00 2017
c IEEE
phasor measurement unit (PMU) function in IEDs with
unsynchronized measurements correction method with fault
predictions are made in this platform. The proposed fault
prediction platform determines the symmetrical and
asymmetrical faults for various kinds of transmission grids. To
implement this, IED are designed using voltage and current
sensors. This platform consists of four sub-systems. System 1
comprises the Intelligent Electronic devices having the sensors
with each node interfaced with microprocessor Intel Edison
which processes the voltage and current values at each three
phases from the nodes. The values are acquired and faults are
calculated using phase component of voltage and current
values which forms the Data Acquisition part.
344
 The Supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA)
analyses these values and the fault values are calculated. This
form the system 2.
The values are obtained from the samples taken per second
from six such IED are compared with the default phase values
resulting in the phase slope plot on MATLAB SIMULINK.
Now, this faults values are synchronised and communicated
over to the database using Profibus line system which forms
system 3. These various faults are determined and are showed
at the graphical user interface (GUI). The system 4 user
interface of the fault location platform was designed using
Netbeans IDE programming platform.
All the computing functions are built at the system 4 which
will automatically load the line parameters from built-in data
and also display transient voltage and current waveforms of
each terminal. The sampled voltage and current waveforms are
collected constantly and stored in its own memory, which will
not be rewritten within several cycles. Once a fault occurs, this
platform will capture the fault data through line bus and then
import it into the fault values database which will display the
transient waveform and predict the several faults in the
transmission lines.

Fig 1. Block Diagram for architecture of the fault location platform
III. COMPONENTS DESCRIPTION
A. Intelligent Electronic devices (IED)
An Intelligent Electronic device is a device that performs
electrical protection functions and has control information. It
can monitor processes and communicate directly to a SCADA
system. The output signal is configured to control process
protection, control, or automation, or a combination
configured to output a serial communication package to
control protection, control, or automation. The can also be
configured to send data packets from one device to other
device.
B. PROFIBUS Network Protocol
PROFIBUS works on IEC 61158 protocol standard. The
devices on the system are connected to a central bus which
collects data from both the network and consumers’ facilities
and allows to reconfigure the network locally or on command
from the centre. The changes in the system parameters such as
the voltage and current phase allows lesser speed resulting in
International Conference on Smart Grids, Power and Advanced Control Engineering (ICSPACE2017)
the decrease communication speed. The Profibus only allows
126 devices to be connected at once. The system is based on
FDL mechanism which combines master-slave methodology
and token passing. The master controls sensors which are
slaves as master sends signals to sensors and they accept that
request. Token passing includes the system in which token
signal is temporarily assigned and passed between nodes.
C. MATLAB SIMULINK Software
Simulink developed by MathWorks represents the data
flow of the graphical programming language and supports
system-level design, simulation, automatic code generation,
test and verification of block systems for electrical,
electronics, automation, etc.
D. Power Quality Analyser
The spectrum analyser measures the magnitude of an input
signal vs frequency given the range of frequency. It measures
the power of the spectrum of known and unknown electrical
signals. Dominant frequencies and harmonics can be seen in
time domain after obtaining them.
E. NetBeans IDE platform
The NetBeans is a framework for simplifying the
development of javadesktop applications. The platform offers
set of tools which are common to desktop applications which
allows developers to focus on the logic specific to their
application.
F. MySQL
MySQL is an open source which provides wizard based
database design tools, administration and database migration.
The data is relational database management system (RDBMS)
is stored in database objects known as tables.
G. LabVIEW Software
LabVIEW is a system-design platform and development
environment for visual programming language from National
Instruments. Using LabVIEW, the SCADA system is created
to get the continuous information of framework based on
embedded system and to continuously share this information
of the intended transmission on the external database1 in
virtual environment of LabVIEW.
IV. WORKING
Fig. 2. MATLAB-Simulink model of the power system with fault
simulation unit
345
 A. System Parameters Detection

The stable electric system parameters are obtained using a

Power Quality Analyzer. The power quality analyser is
connected to the microgrid output terminals. The obtained
readings from the analyser gives us the measure of active,
reactive and net power of the system along with line and phase
voltage and current values. Also, power factor, phase
difference, frequency is shown along with other values. The
values of the system parameters obtained from here indicates
the stable system and using these values we analyse the
response of system in case of different types of fault for three
phase system. The data obtained by using the power quality
Fig. 4. Three phase system with L-L fault at b and c
analyser is shown as below:
In this circuit, the voltage and current (phase parameters)
are being converted into their respective line parameters.

Zero sequence component of current at phase a is:

ଵ
Ia0 ൌ ሺ‫ ܽܫ‬൅ ‫ ܾܫ‬൅ ‫ܿܫ‬ሻ
ଷ
ଵ
Ia0ൌ ሺͲ ൅ ‫ ܾܫ‬െ ‫ܾܫ‬ሻ (1)
ଷ
Positive sequence component of phase a is expressed as:

ଵ
Ia1= ሺߙ െ ߙƒሻ‫ܾܫ‬ (2)
ଷ
Fig. 3. Reading taken from Power Quality analyser from the microgrid where n=2
output terminals

 Negative sequence component of phase a is given by

B.Fault Conditions in System
 ଵ
Ia2 = ሺߙ െ ߙƒሻ (3)
ଷ
The values of stable system obtained here indicates the
presence of fault free conditions. However, in practical where n=2
application, the transmission lines are vulnerable to various
kinds of disturbances. Some of them create a temporary From matrix multiplication, we get
disturbance in the system called as a transient. These Ia0 = 0 and Ia1 = –Ia2 (4)
transient if occurring on a repeated basis could indicate the
occurrence of a fault. Also, integration of renewable energy Voltages at fault points are denoted by the following
sources has caused the significant increase in the harmonics equation:
content of the electrical system.
(Va0 + ĮĶVa1 + ĮVa2) – (Va0 + ĮVa1 + ĮĶVa2) = Zf (Ia0 + ĮĶIa1 +
Now, these harmonics if exceeds their limit, affects the ĮIa2)
system adversely and damages the instruments connected to (5)
the grid. Hence, a system should be in place to detect the Where n = 2
probable occurrence of fault and indicate to the control Combination of (1), (4) and (5) gives us: -
station beforehand. This can be done by analysing the
transmission line for system parameters and evaluating Va1 െVa2 = Zf Ia1 (6)
against the stable condition readings. Also, the type of fault
can be detected by using this system, so as to take Va0 = –Za0 Ia0 (7)
precautionary measures and in case of faults persists, the Va1 = –Vf –Za1 Ia1 (8)
node can be isolated from the grid leading to prevention of
the travelling of disturbances across the power transmission Va2 = –Za2 Ia2 (9)
line.
Combination of (8), (9) gets us: -
A three phase system with line to line fault at b and c can
be seen in the figure below: Va1 െVa2 = Vf – Za1Ia1 + Za2Ia2 (10)

346 International Conference on Smart Grids, Power and Advanced Control Engineering (ICSPACE2017)
Combination of (4),(9) and (10) gives us

Ia1 = Vf / ( Za1 + Za2 + Zf) (11)

The fault correction equation is given by

If = (ĮĶ – Į) Vf /( Za1 + Za2 + Za3) (12)

where n = 2

This is performed by first evaluating a system’s stable

condition by connecting the Power Quality Analyser to it
and recording the observations. Now, this data is saved into
the database against which the then obtained values from
the Intelligent Electronic Devices (IEDs) is evaluated. The
types of fault occurring in the system is simulated using
MATLAB-Simulink software. The Voltage – time and Fig. 7. MATLAB-Simulink plot of V-t, I-t for Line to Line to Ground(L-
Current – time plot of the system under different fault L-G) fault condition
condition is calculated physically and verified.

Now, the plots can be represented as for different

conditions of the faults within the system.


Fig. 8. MATLAB-Simulink plot of V-t, I-t for Line to Line to Line to

Ground (L-L-L-G) fault condition
Fig. 5. MATLAB-Simulink plot of V-t, I-t for Line to Line (L-L) fault
condition

Fig. 6. MATLAB-Simulink plot of V-t, I-t for Line to Ground (L-G) Fig. 9. MATLAB-Simulink plot of V-t, I-t for fault free condition
fault condition

International Conference on Smart Grids, Power and Advanced Control Engineering (ICSPACE2017) 347
 energy. Voltage and current values are continuously entered
into the system and then logged into the database. The
system consists of different levels in which the IED is in the
top layer which feeds data to the system. The values are
distributed according to the fault type, considerably, L-L, L-
G, L-L-G and L-L-L-G types. A threshold value is being
provided to detect an offset.
In Fig.11, all the system terminals are working perfectly
fine but if a value goes below the threshold value as seen in
Fig.11, the system isolates that particular node. This is done
by continuously checking and comparing the new value with
the ideal pre-set values stored as a reference in the database.
Fig. 10. Flow of control for the transmission of data through the IEDs
If a fault is predicted in the second PC, that information will
be transferred to the first PC and will be received by the
C. Transmission of Data SCADA system which will provide user a GUI application
regarding the possible fault that can occur in the near future
The transmission of data takes places through multiple at a particular node.
layers of connections to buses and microprocessor. An IED
will receive data from sensors and power equipment and will
give transfer data in the form of voltage and current via a
PROFIBUS to Intel Edison system. The PROFIBUS
network runs on a Master/Slave concept. The IED will send
the data to the Intel Edison and at the same time, the
computer on module system has to respond immediately to
a request from the master (IED). PROFIBUS is preferred in
this case as the Edison system will have an assigned address.
This is an important factor in the transfer of data as many
devices will be connected to the bus and to reduce confusion
between devices, address is assigned. The data will be
transferred with a standard bit rate of 12Mbit/s. PORFIBUS
is also preferred for its report on diagnostics condition which
will be fetched by the master in the next data-exchange
cycle. The data will also be provided to a Supervisory
Control and data acquisition (SCADA) system. The SCADA
system will continuously receive data from IED and the data Fig. 11. SCADA system without any fault
will be stored in the database for fault detection process. The
SCADA system will isolate the faulty IED when there is a
large deviation in the data compared to the previous ones.
The database will predict fault and will transfer that
information to the SCADA system. PROFIBUS is also used
to connect both the PCs together so that the database
containing the error values in the second PC can send
information to the first PC regarding fault prediction.

D. SCADA System Control

 
Supervisory Control and data acquisition (SCADA) is a
control system which we will be using this project to
monitor and control faults using repetitively checking
offsets in the three-phase current and voltage values that it
is receiving from the IEDs. The developed work consists of
smart metering system for monitoring three phase supply
parameters, fault decision as well as fault detection using a
two-way communication between SCADA system and
MYSQL database in real time. Two-way communication
and real time feature provides an easy way to monitor Fig.12. Fault present in L-L node which has been isolated

348 International Conference on Smart Grids, Power and Advanced Control Engineering (ICSPACE2017)
 Fig.15. Database 2 represented through My SQL

As shown in fig.14 the phase values of voltage and current

are stored in the database 1. The values stored in the database
1 are regular (No fault) values of the IED. To detect the
deflection in the values the average of the past value and the
present value is taken and it is compared with the next value.
If there is any deflection in particular parameter such as Vph1,
Vph2 etc. than that particular values are send to the database 2
as in fig. 15. Once the deflected value is entered into database
2 it is compared with the threshold value of the fault and hence
depending upon the threshold value the fault is then detected
as indicated in the following graphical representations: -

Fig.13. SCADA system without any fault

E. Database Management
Fig. 16. Voltage- Current Plot for prediction of fault within the system for
To store the data values from IED, the database is used. Now phase1
depending upon the processed data coming from Supervisory
control and data acquisition (SCADA) system the data is
stored in the data base. To store data, two databases are used,
one for storing the real-time phase values of current and
voltage, and the other database to store the processed values.
Three phase values of voltage and three phase values of current
are stored in both the databases. And depending upon the
fluctuation in these phase values the fault in the system is
detected, the database consisting of few values coming from
IEDs using Profibus is given as below:

Fig. 17. Voltage- Current Plot for prediction of fault within the system for
phase2

Fig. 18. Voltage- Current Plot for prediction of fault within the system for
Fig.14. Database 1 represented through My SQL phase3

International Conference on Smart Grids, Power and Advanced Control Engineering (ICSPACE2017) 349
 Above fig.16., fig.17. and fig.18. represents the V-I
characteristic graph of voltage and current values. ‘i’
represents the initial row in the database 1, ‘j’ represents the
last row in the database 2 and ‘k’ represents the deflected
values. Hence if the two lines are drawn joining three points
and slope is found out it is seen that for each deflected value
the slope of line increases. Hence by using this method the
deflection in the values can be found out. For each graph, there
is corresponding change in slope hence by using three slopes
the fault can be determined, because each fault consists of
particular change in slope of line.
Values stored in the data base are used in the graphical user
interface (GUI) for simple display and user interface purpose.
There are two GUI output, one each on every computer where
the first GUI indicates the presence of fault and prediction of
fault within the system the other GUI indicates he type of fault
when each of the four types of fault conditions are selected.
Now the left-over values within the database which does not
match with any of the fault condition is sent to database 1
back, on press of a particular tab named’ send left over data to
database1’. The criteria for selection of this tab is based on the
indication given by the system for if any value is left within
the database 2, after all fault conditions are checked. The
following images represent the different condition for which
the GUI provides appropriate output: Fig.19. shows the
current system parameters, the following Fig. 20. is to predict
the status of the system for any approaching fault and the
fig.21. indicates the fault values for if any fault occurs.

Fig. 19. Current system output parameters tested for fault free system
Fig. 20. Current system output parameters tested for approaching fault
conditions within the system
350 International Conference on Smart Grids, Power and Advanced Control Engineering (ICSPACE2017)
Fig. 21. Fault system output parameters indicating type of fault and its values
The fig.19. and fig.20. represents the GUI of the database
which displays the current system parameters such as Vph1,
Vph2, Vph3, Iph1, Iph2, Iph3. It also consists of ‘check system
state’ tab which on clicking will display the present and
estimated current status of the system. Also, the fig.21.
represents the four tabs which will allows the user to check the
fault values by selecting particular tab and hence depending
upon the tab selected the output block will display the type of
fault present in the system and the values of the corresponding
fault. If there is any data remaining in the database 2, then the
last tab will provide the access to transfer the remaining data
into the database 1. This is done by using PC to PC
communication channel through Homegroup.
With the help of Homegroup, a number of computers
containing Windows OS can be connected over a LAN and can
share digital media with each other. Computer on the same
network which are not on Homegroup need to acquire a
Username and Password for connecting to that particular
Homegroup and accessing the data which is being shared.
After the homegroup is created and joined the values of both
the databases can be copied, edited and send to the network
again to the specified folder location.
Here, only those values are transported which are not used
for any type of fault calculation within the system. The values
transported back to computer 1 (i.e., first PC) where the values
Vph1, Vph2, Vph3, Iph1, Iph2, Iph3 are called using a new
variable in a new class, from where the operations are
performed to calculate the slope of the fault values with respect
to the initial value and compare the slope with the slope from
the first and last values of database1. These are compared to
check the period within which the fault is predicted to occur.
This prediction is done also in accordance to previous fault
condition and is indicated beforehand as shown in fig.20.,
where the fault detected is expected to occur within next two
hours. So, an Intelligent coding methodology is employed
along with a dynamic algorithm for maintaining the values of
the both databases for successful fault system detection and its in the power system. Hence, an improved and efficient fault
operation I isolation of the faulty node from the power system. response system is designed and implemented successfully.
The results obtained are verified physically using the
instruments and devices.

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within the system and creating an interface for the operator at
control room to detect the type of fault in the system which led
to the isolation of that node. This will facilitate the specific
type of maintenance work required at that node and thus,
saving a considerable amount of time which otherwise would
have been lost in identifying the type of fault within that node

International Conference on Smart Grids, Power and Advanced Control Engineering (ICSPACE2017) 351