IOT (Internet of Things) BASED SMART UNDERGROUND

CABLE FAULT LOCATOR

Final Year Project

ABSTRACT
The objective of this project is to determine the location of fault in underground cable
lines from the source station to exact location of fault in any units, here in kilometres.
Whenever a fault occurs in the underground cable line for some reason, the repairing
process relating to that faulted cable becomes difficult owing to lack of proper system
for tracking the exact fault location and the type of fault occurred in the cable. A
system has to be developed to find the exact location of the fault in the distribution
line system for all the three phases R, Y & B for different type of situations of faults.
Based on the Ohm’s Law, it is found that the resistance of the cable is proportional to
its length under constant conditions of temperature and the cross section area and
therefore if a low DC voltage is applied at the feeder end through a series of resistor
in cable lines, the current would vary depending upon the location of fault in the
cable. Here a system is developed which consists of a microcontroller, LCD display,
Fault Sensing Circuit Module, IoT Wi-Fi Module and proper power supply
arrangement with regulated power output. The current sensing of circuits made with a
combination of resistors is interfaced to ATmega328 micro controller with the help of
internally inbuilt ADC for providing the digital data to microcontroller. The fault
sensing circuit is made with the combination of set of series resistors &the set of
switches alongside each resistor. Furthermore, Murray loop test is also used for
detecting the location of the fault . This method uses basic equipment that obtained
easily. This test is performed for the location of either an earth fault or short circuit
fault in underground cable. In these tests the resistance of fault does not affect the
results obtained except when the resistance of fault is very high. So the Murray loop
test and Ohm’s Law are the basis of the fault detection in cable systems.
LIST OF SYMBOLS & ACRONYMS

IOT Internet of Things

PSCAD Power System Computer Aided Design.

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Table of Contents

ABSTRACT ii

LIST OF SYMBOLS & ACRONYMS iii

LIST OF FIGURES vi

INTRODUCTION: 1
PROBLEM STATEMENT 1
LITERATURE REVIEW 2
PROJECT OVERVIEW/GOAL 5
PROJECT METHODLOGY 5
BLOCK DIAGRAM 7
PROJECT MILESTONES AND DELIVERABLES 8
WORK DIVISION 8
COSTING 8
REFERENCES 9

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LIST OF FIGURES
Fig 1 Line Fault Diagram 03

Fig 2 Schematic of Idea 06

Fig 3 Block Diagram of Project 07

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INTRODUCTION:

Use of underground power cable is expanding due to safety considerations and

enhanced reliability in the distribution systems in recent times. Due to safety reasons
and high power requirements in densely populated areas, use of underground cable
has seen a sharp hike. The underground cable systems have the advantages of not
getting affected by any adverse weather condition such as storm, snow, heavy rainfall
as well as pollution. But it has its own drawback for immediate tracking of fault in the
underground cable lines. Study of cable failures and development of accurate fault
detection and location methods has been interesting research topics in the past and
present. Fault tracking entails determination of the presence of a fault, while fault
location detection includes the determination of the physical location of the fault.
However, this fault detection and fault location detection technology for underground
power distribution systems is still in developing stages. Before fixing any fault in
cables, the fault has to be identified first. There are many ways to find the cable fault
location. This project deals with the method to locate faults and identify the phase line
in damaged cables. The main challenge in underground cable is exact fault detection
which is difficult to locate in the area.

PROBLEM STATEMENT

● There is a chance of faults in underground power systems because of various

underground conditions. So the underground system in which almost
everything is quite complex, it’s difficult for anyone to locate the wearing or
tearing of any wire.

● The whole area has to be viewed in order to locate the fault and it has to be
dug to detect it.

● It consumes a lot of time just to find an underground fault and it creates a lot
of hastiness for the repairmen to find the fault.

● Underground system is quite safe and reliable system but in case of faults,
underground faults are most difficult to locate.

● The exact location is difficult to locate as the underground system is complex

and similarly the fault location is also a big challenge/

● The targeted customers are the housing societies containing underground

distribution system such as Bahria Town, Lake City , DHA , Dream Garden
etc.

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LITERATURE REVIEW

In 2017 Ghulam Rubab Mirza researched on the Design and Fabrication of

Underground Fault Distance Locator Using Arduino and GSM. It is used for remote
indication to diminish power outages and heavy loss of profit by sending SMS to
main control room so the field engineer can resolve the issue of an exact fault
location.
The system implements Arduino to give fast data processing system and results on
LCD. The system becomes compact and cost efficient as the components such as
relays, regulator IC, relay driver IC, GSM module and LCD etc are integrated with
Arduino. This enables relays to differentiate between phases by blinking the
associated leds. It enables GSM module to send sms to operators for quicker fault
detection and displays fault related information on LCD so that the fault could be
resolved as soon as possible. GSM Implementation of GSM module in proposed
system diminishes communication gap by transcribing quicker fault results and is also
known as Arduino shield because it helps Arduino board to connect with internet and
send or receive messages. Messages are sent automatically to operators hence they
dont need to be available 24/7 where the fault takes place and production losses are
also reduced hence making system more authenticated, efficient, simple and definitely
has an edge against our competitors. On the other hand, it could be extended to fault
tolerant system because every part has its own mechanism and if any part stops
working, it will isolate only that particular component in order to work continually
[1]. However the GSM module is restricted to use because of chances of misuse of
that product.
In 2018, Tanmay Kedia, Abhijeet Lal, Dr. Abhishek Verma researched on the IOT
based Underground Fault detection using Atmega 328P in which the exact distance of
fault can be located by given distance in kilometers. The main principle of it is the
Ohm’s Law where a low DC voltage is applied at the feeder and through fault sensing
circuit [2]. The operation of the system states that when the current flows through the
fault sensing circuit module the current would vary depending upon the length of the
cable from the place of fault that occurred if there is any short circuit fault with the
Single Line to ground fault, or double line to ground fault, or three phase to ground
fault.[8] The voltage drops across the series resistors changes accordingly and then
the fault signal goes to internal ADC of the microcontroller to develop digital data.
Then microcontroller will process the digital data and the output is being displayed in
the LCD connected to the microcontroller in kilometres and phase as per the fault
conditions. This output is also displayed in the webpage through the IoT Wi-Fi
Module ESP8266 connected to the system.
Underground fault can be detected in a variety of ways and there are many algorithms
to calculate faults and some of the algorithms are:

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 A. FAULT LOCATION ALGORITHMS:
Single-ended fault location algorithms are only based on single end measures of
voltage and current.

● The current flows from sending end bus (S) to the receiving end bus (R).
● A single phase to ground fault occurred in the middle (F) of the transmission
line.
● The line impedance per kilometer is known, and we can get measured data
(voltage and current) from sending end or receiving end bus to find the
impedance.
𝑉𝑠
(𝑆𝑒𝑛𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝐸𝑛𝑑) 𝑍𝑠 = ⋯ ⋯ ⋯ (1)
𝐼𝑠

𝑉𝑟
(𝑅𝑒𝑐𝑒𝑖𝑣𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝐸𝑛𝑑) 𝑍𝑟 = ⋯ ⋯ ⋯ (2)
𝐼𝑟

By using the line impedance per kilometer (Z line), we can easily determine the
distance from sending end to fault point by (3), and from receiving end to fault point
by (4).
𝑍𝑠
𝐿𝑠 = ⋯ ⋯ ⋯ (3)
𝑍𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑒

𝑍𝑟
𝐿𝑟 = ⋯ ⋯ ⋯ (4)
𝑍𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑒

Basic equations of single ended fault location algorithms, suitable for short
transmission line

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 B. Double-Ended Unsynchronized Fault Location Algorithm:
Single-ended algorithms suffered from fault resistance and shunt capacitance. It is
reasonable to assume that the effects of fault resistance and shunt capacitance are the
same to both ends. That means these effects would shorten or lengthen the estimated
distances on both ends [2]. So we can use single-ended algorithm twice to the get the
estimated distances on both ends for estimation of distances
𝐿𝑠
𝐿𝑠(𝑁𝑒𝑤) = ∗𝐿
𝐿𝑠 + 𝐿𝑟

𝐿𝑟
𝐿𝑟(𝑁𝑒𝑤) = ∗𝐿
𝐿𝑠 + 𝐿𝑟

We can measured the data of both ends and reduce the effects of fault resistance and
shunt capacitance to improve the accuracy of distance estimation
It is not good enough for underground transmission lines, because of the higher shunt
capacitance.

C. Double-Ended Synchronized Fault Location Algorithm:

Fault resistance and shunt capacitance are the major source of errors for fault location
It measured voltage and current phasors of both ends (no fault impedance and shunt
capacitance effect) and get the accurate of fault distance.[4]

Disadvantage:
Complicated computation is not popular in power system.
From sending end
1
[𝑉𝑓 𝐼𝑓 ] = [𝑐𝑜𝑠ℎ(𝛾(𝐿 − 𝑋)) 𝑍𝑐 𝑠𝑖𝑛ℎ(𝛾(𝐿 − 𝑋)) 𝑠𝑖𝑛ℎ(𝛾(𝐿 − 𝑋)) 𝑐𝑜𝑠ℎ(𝛾(𝐿
𝑍𝑐
− 𝑋)) ] [𝑉𝑠 − 𝐼𝑠 ]

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PROJECT OVERVIEW/GOAL

The main goal is to detect accurate fault location with IOT based technology which
will help to detect fault in lesser amount of time. IOT based technology helps us to
detect the exact fault location and can know the location through LCD. Some other
solutions include fault detection through MATLAB and other ways such as
quadrilateral impedance relay. The iot based fault location systems displays the
distance of fault through an LCD and it tells us the specified distance in km in which
the fault is more likely have occurred.

PROJECT METHODLOGY

The project is consisting of several parts, one of which includes the coding of
microcontroller used in this project which is ATMEGA 328P. Our project objectives
is to start finding the distance of fault from 1km to 2km and up to 4km of the distance
in the Red, Yellow and Green wires.

Operation
● The operation of the system states that when the current flows through the
fault sensing circuit module the current would vary depending upon the length
of the cable from the place of fault that occurred if there is any short circuit
fault with the Single Line to ground fault, or double line to ground fault, or
three phase to ground fault.[5]

● The voltage drops across the series resistors changes accordingly and then the
fault signal goes to internal ADC of the microcontroller to develop digital
data.

● The microcontroller will process the digital data and the output is being
displayed in the LCD connected to the microcontroller in kilometres and phase
as per the fault conditions.

● This Output is also displayed in the webpage through the IoT Wi-Fi Module
ESP8266 connected to the system.

● The power supply given to the system is 220V AC supply. This 220 V supply
is fed to the two Adapter Modules (12 V, 2 Amps. each). The adaptor module
1 and 2 converts the AC voltage to DC.

● The ripple in output of adaptor module 1 is then removed with the help of a
1000 microfarad electrolytic capacitor.

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● Since a constant 5 V voltage source is desired for our system, because the
Microcontroller (ATmega328), 16x2 LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), Relay
Drivers and Relays, Fault Sensing Circuit Module [6], IOT Wi-Fi Module[7],
etc. and the other components work at 5V supply, hence the use of three
voltage regulators (7805). These voltage regulators convert the filtered output
to 5V constant supply voltage.

● The first voltage regulator (VR1) feeds the 5 Volts supply to the
microcontroller, LCD display, and the set of series resistors while the second
voltage regulator VR2 feeds the relay driver IC ULN2003A and 3 three relays.

● The third Voltage regulator is connected to the IoT ESP8266 Wi-Fi

Development Board Module which gives 5 Volts DC supply to it.

● The project consists of three relays which are driven by a relay driver IC
ULN2003A. The relays used here switches off/on the bulb loads R, Y and B to
indicate the fault being occurred in corresponding phases.

Fig 2. Schematic of Idea

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BLOCK DIAGRAM

Fig 3. Block Diagram of Working of Fault detector

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PROJECT MILESTONES AND DELIVERABLES

● The first objective of this project is to detect the distance of the fault and
display it on a LCD.

● The fault can also be located on a website in which all the phases can be
monitored on the website.

● Precision in fault location

● Nature of fault

● Fast in response

COSTING

Estimated cost of the project is Rs. 25,000/- including the microcontroller, lcd and
other components in the circuit.

CONCLUSION

The goal of IOT is not just only connecting things such as machines, devices and
appliances, but also allowing the things to communicate, exchanging control data and
other necessary information while executing applications. Through wireless
communication, the faults can be monitored and can be located on what distance they
have occurred, which will save a lot of time to find the fault.

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REFERENCES

[1] Ghulam Rubab Mirza, Amer Kumar Maheshwari, Mukhtiar Ahmed Mahar, Abdul
Sattar Larik and Gul Hassan Talpur, “Design and Fabrication of Underground Fault
Distance Locator Using Arduino and GSM”.
2017 International Conference on Open Source Systems and Technologies
[2] Abhay Sharma, AkashMathur, Rajat Gupta, R.B.S. Engineering Technical
Campus, Bichpuri, Agra, India, “Underground Cable Fault Distance Locator”,
IJAREEIE,Vol. 6, Issue 4, April 2017

[3]Gilbert Cheung, Yuan Tian, Tobias Neier, Technics of Locating Underground

Cable
Faults inside conduits, International Conference on Condition Monitoring and
Diagnosis
IEEE (CMD 2016)

[4] Fault Location System for Underground Transmission Line

Jun-Zhe Yang Hung-Yu Lin
2013 International Symposium on Next-Generation Electronics

[5] Darvhankar G.S, Gharpande A.S, Bhope S.D, Meshram A.S, Bobad A., “Study of
3-phase Underground Cable Fault Locator Using Acoustic
Method”, I.J.A.E.R.D., Vol. 2, Issue 1, Jan. 2015.

[6] Tanmay Kedia, Vinita Sahare, Kanchan Kumar Bauri,Rajendra Kumar Sahu,
Sanjeev Kumar, Abhijeet Lal, "Underground Cable Fault
Distance Detector using ATMega328 Microcontroller", IJAREEIE, Vol.6, Issue 10,
October 2017.

[7] Mr. N. Sampathraja, Dr. L. Ashok Kumar, Ms. V. Kirubalakshmi and Ms. C.
Muthumaniyarasi, Mr. K. Vishnu Murthy, “IoT Based
Underground Cable Fault Detector”, IJMET, Volume 8, Issue 8, August 2017.

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