Journal of Electrical and Electronics Engineering

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Controlling and Monitoring of Electric Feeders Using GSM

Network Technology
AHMED Afaz Uddin1, KHALED Mohammed Shahriar2, ALI Mohammed3, RAHMAN
Mohammad Mahbubur4
Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology (CUET), Bangladesh,
Department Electrical & Electronic Engineering
Chittagong, Bangladesh.
1
E-Mail: afazbd@gmail.com
2
Email: shahriar.khaled@yahoo.com
3
Email: ali.myself@yahoo.com
4
Email: mahbub.rahman336@gmail.com

Abstract The application of computer interfaced

controlling devices is increasingly rapidly in modern
age. Analogous wired systems are substituted by
computer interfaced system alternatives in growing
number of industries. Such control systems had been
developed with complex and critical high-end stuffs. In
this paper, we developed an automated system that
controls the switching of electric feeder power supply
featuring the existing GSM technology. The target is to
operate the device according to a preset sequence of
on-off mode for three feeders after a particular time
interval and to monitor the running condition. The
device sends short message updating the status of every
action. It also warns the consumers about load
shedding using GSM module via sending message.
Controlling the gate pulse of a MOSFET that operates
the relay, it executes on-off operation of the circuit
breaker of the respective feeders. Since GSM
technology is used worldwide for communication, third
world countries that are still struggling to meet the
power demand can use this technology to operate and
monitor the condition of power distribution. To operate
the GSM device, AT command of GSM location
operation for SIM900 is used. This paper targets to
improve the power distribution system in developing
countries like India, Bangladesh, Nepal where power
crisis and load shedding is quite a common
phenomenon.
smart grid; feeder controller; GSM
Keywords:
technology; microcontroller; AT commands; SIM900
I. INTRODUCTION
Programmable systems based on microcontrollers
are used widely in modern industries to make the
process fully automated. It also facilitates to monitor the
functioning processes and solve problems. In advancedage technology, most of the systems are designed for
automatic control. Design and implementation of SMS
based device control and monitoring system is presented
in [1-4]. In third world countries, the total generation of

electric power cannot meet the demand of the users.

Moreover, the inadequate distribution of power causes
suffering of the consumers. In the industrial areas where
it is required to have constant power supply; lack of
proper distribution opportunities causes vast effect on
production. Hitherto SMART GRID SYSTEM is used to
improve these types of problems [6, 7]. However, as this
high-tech system is very expensive, a cost efficient
power system management can be evitable in
developing countries. The main purpose of this paper is
to propose such a power distribution system at a low
cost to improve the total power system. Nowadays every
system is turning into fully automation system. These
systems are the combination of electrical and electronic
technology, control engineering, computing, and
mechanical systems. In electrical power distribution
system, the total control-operation and monitoring
system are performed through the application of
microcontroller and software that were quite difficult to
operate manually. Likewise, it minimizes the work force
and increases the system efficiency ensuring higher
safety factor. Nowadays microcontroller system has
more flexibility and efficiency [8-10], it allows more
flexibility to the engineers for designing an automatic
system.
II. SYSTEM MODEL
The essential components of the project are a
microcontroller that is used as a central processing unit
that controls all other devices [8]. In Fig-1
microcontroller is connected to the GSM device through
an interfacing module. The microcontroller justifies the
required system condition and if the condition is
satisfactory, it sends signal to the GSM device. The
GSM device is used to monitor the operation from a
remote location to build a central monitoring system for
power distribution system. GSM device is programmed
using ATCOMMAND software. It sends message to the
manager informing the present state and to the consumer
to warn them about load shedding.

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Fig. 1: Block diagram of microcontroller based feeder ON-OFF

control and monitoring system

An assembly of LCD display is used for local

monitoring, so that operator can monitor the system. To
power the device, an adopter has been used which will
supply constant 9V. IC 7805 is used that provides
constant 5V DC to the microcontroller. Microcontroller
send ON-OFF signal to the relay when counter finishes
its countdown. The counter will calculate duration
according to a preset time that is adjustable.

power supply will be turned OFF after 01 minute. After

2 minutes, the next state or phase B will be executed and
a message reporting the present condition will be sent to
the manager like SW 02+ SW 03 ON, SW 01 OFF. This
means feeder 2 and feeder 3 are ON and feeder 1 is
OFF.
For the next two states, the process will be repeated.
The device will repeat the sequence until it is turned
OFF or the program is changed. Switching the power of
nine feeders at a time is possible by using this device.
Fig-2 displays the controlling of feeders by the three
relays. However, it is possible to control 30 to 35 or
even more feeders if a multiplexer is used.
Fig-2 also shows The GSM module is operated
through an interfacing device. MAX232 is used as an
interfacing device that converts the output of the
microprocessor to a suitable form for the GSM modem.
III. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN
Fig-3 shows the flowchart of automated feeder
controlling and monitoring systems. The controlling
follows several steps sequentially.
Step 01: EEPROM of the microprocessor will read the
time and position of the transformer or the feeder.
Step 02: here the combination of the feeders are 1+2,
2+3 and 1+3. Device will operate according to the
sequence. The device will ON feeder 1 and feeder 2,
feeder 3 will remain OFF. Then it will turn ON feeder 2
and feeder 3.
Step 03: after a certain period, it will change the state of
the feeders and send a message to the consumer and the
manager. The duration of the reporting messages will be
after a predefined time interval that is set before.

Fig. 2: Circuit diagram of the project using PORTABLE

PROTEUS7.7

Fig-2 shows the circuit diagram of the project. A

LCD display with the controller and adopter illustrates
the operation of the device. Local operator can take
decision or can see the countdown of the timer. The
microcontroller displays the present condition of the
system using LCD with its four pins. It sends message
through GSM module with two output pins and operates
the three relays with three pins. To turn ON the feeder it
sends a signal current to the transistor of the respective
relay. To operate a relay, microprocessor cannot supply
the required current. For this, a transistor has been used
to boost the current rating to operate the relay by closing
its magnetic contactor. These relay can send the trip
signal to any circuit breaker to execute ON-OFF
function of the feeders.
During the operation, the timer of the microprocessor
will start counting time and after 1 min, it will send
consumer 01 a warning message notifying that the

Fig. 3. Flowchart of the Feeder controlling and monitoring system

Step 04: The counter of the microprocessor calculates

the time interval and the LCD module shows the present
state of the feeders, countdown time and the person to
whom message is sent.

Journal of Electrical and Electronics Engineering

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Step 05: The feeders state are altered automatically

once the countdown is finished. The sequence of the
feeder can be changed by changing the specified
program.
IV. SOFTWARE SPECIFICATION FOR GSM
TECHNOLOGY
AT Command is used to operate GSM module
through microcontroller. SIMCom offers this
information as a service to its customers to support the
application and the engineering efforts. The information
provided is based upon requirement specifically
provided by the customers. SIMCom does not
undertaken any independent search for additional
relevant information. Furthermore, system validation of
this product designed by SIMCom within a larger
electronic system remains responsible to the customers
in integrator. To initialize the GSM module following
steps have to perform:
To ready for a test of SIM900
Hardware: Computer with modem and RS232 port
Or Modem, USB port with USB-to-RS232 converter
line, SIM300EVB KIT, tool kit, which include
SIM900module.
Power adaptor (220VAC to 5VDC, 2.5A), Serial port
line.
Note: SIM900 is SOT 60pin package, SIM900C is
DIP60 pin package, larger size, enhanced ESD, EMC,
need one SIM card.
Client software: computer hyper terminal
Server software: server.exe
To turn on SIM900
PWRKEY pull low // turn on module, MCU pulls
PWRKEY low
Delay 10 seconds // or shorter time, then MCU pulls it to
high
Or
Press PWRKEY for 3 seconds or more if module is
turned off
To re-start SIM900
// module is on,
PWRKEY pull low // turn off module, strongly
suggestion first
Delay 10 seconds // or shorter time, then MCU pulls it to
high
PWRKEY pull low // turn on module, MCU pulls
PWRKEY low
Delay 10 seconds // or shorter time, then MCU pulls it to
high
To change baud rate
// default baud rate is 115200.
AT+IPR=9600 //change from 115200, and you need
change your
// softwares baud rate from 115200 to 9600, you can
run new AT
AT and W // if you need save 9600 baud rate
// if you do not need save it, only use AT+IPR=9600.
Note: some version firmware support auto baud rate.
To initiate SIM900

If SIM300 communicates with Server software

AT+CIPFLP=0 // it will faster
If two modules communicate each other, no special need
To check SIM card
AT+CPIN=?
+CPIN: READY
RDY
+SCKS:0 // when turn on SIM300, serial port list
// means: SIM card is not inserted
Need AT+CSDT to set SIM Presence pin
To send English text SMS
AT+CMGF=1
OK
AT+CSCS=GSM
OK
AT+CMGS=13912223333
> Good, this is test // input Control and Z keys.
V. FEATURES
The device is a compact package with a wide range
of features. GSM system is used in this project, which is
much reliable and flexible than other wired
communication. It gives the flexibility to change its
operation period. Either manager or operator can change
its stipulated time to ON or OFF feeders by making a
little change in program, which is crucial in todays
power system control, especially in a country where
power crisis is severe. The load dispatch center has to
distribute the power to different areas in different time
duration that are dependent on power demand and user
priority level. In addition, this device uses a particular
SIM number and only executes command message from
that number. Therefore, it is more secured as no one can
change its specific operation. Furthermore, this device
uses the microcontroller and relay system, which can
operate in a fraction of second. Through parallel port
operation, it is possible to control several feeders at the
same time, as now-a-days power distribution system
consists of thousands of feeders. The LCD display
allows the operator to see the existing position of the
feeders and the counting to switch to the next state,
helping in any further decision making. Besides, it
displays the time of the message as it is sent or received.
The most imperative feature of this device is notifying
the end level consumers before load shedding. The
consumer gets informed about load shedding through
short message service (SMS) to their cell phone number.
The device will send the message in a present format
informing about power cut, which will help to finish
their important tasks.
VI. SYSTEM OVERVIEW AND APPLICATIONS
Most of the developed countries nowadays use
automatic power control and distribution system. They
are even using SMART GRID SYSTEM that gives a
total solution of power analysis, control, and monitoring
[5-7]. If in the number of feeders or consumers are
massive in a particular area, the number of operated

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feeders have to be increased. As the device is a proto

type system, so the number of feeders and consumers
are limited to three feeders. To increase the capability of
controlling number of feeders or consumers a
multiplexer can be used. However, to analyze the whole
power system, the GSM technology is proposed by this
paper. As SIM900 has the facility to read the received
message, we have written a C program to control the
feeders through message without any hardware changes.
It is possible to include time buttons, so that a person
can change the operation time simply by using the
increasing or decreasing buttons without changing the
program.

VII. CONCLUSION
In this paper, GSM technology is used to control the
feeders. An automated feeder control system that can be
used to control and monitor the power system. The
system can operate from a far distance also. This can be
very cost effective in developing countries as modern
automated power controlling equipments are still quite
expensive all over the world. As almost every
developing countries has a reliable GSM network
coverage throughout their land area, this feeder control
system using GSM mobile technology can also be a
reliable one.
REFERENCES

Fig. 4: GSM module with the microcontroller.

Even though the major concern was in grid

connection, this project arrangement can be frequently
used in motor control where fixed flow of fluid is
required, for example in large of petroleum industry
where it is required to fill large size tank with
petrochemical materials. Using GSM control system can
start and stop the motor that is located at a far distance
from the control room. Consequently, the proposed
system has different usages including the control of
irrigation in remote location, activating and monitoring
home automation system via SMS through
microcontroller [3] and automating Home Appliance
Control System (HACS) [4].

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