GSM based Distribution Transformer Monitoring System

GSM based Distribution Transformer Monitoring System

Siddhant Gaikwad1, Raj Mehta2, Prathamesh Shetye3, Jay Khut4, Kavita Bani5

Department Of Electronics Engineering12345 Atharva College of Engineering12345 Malad (W), Mumbai -400067, INDIA

Abstract GSM based Distribution Transformer Monitoring System is about design and implementation of a mobile embed- ded system to monitor and record key parameters of a Distribu- tion transformer like load currents, oil levels and ambient tem- perature. The idea of on-line monitoring system integrates a global service mobile (GSM) modem, with a standalone single chip micro-controller and different sensors. It is installed at the distribution transformer site and the above parameters are rec- orded using the analog to digital converter (ADC) of the embed- ded system. The obtained parameters are processed and rec- orded in the system memory. If any abnormality or an emer- gency situation occurs the system sends SMS (short message ser- vice) message to the mobile phones containing information about the abnormality according to some predefined instruc- tions programmed in the micro-controller. This mobile system will help the transformer to operate smoothly and identify prob- lems before any catastrophic failure.

Keywords: Distribution Transformer, GSM, Microcontroller.

1. INTRODUCTION

   In power systems,a distribution transformer is an electrical equipment which distributes power to the low power low- voltage users directly, and its operating condition is an im- portant component of the entire distribution network. Opera- tion of distribution transformer under rated condition (as per specification in their nameplate) guarantees their long life. However their life is significantly reduced if they are sub- jected to overloading resulting in unexpected failure and loss of supply to a large number of customers thus affecting sys- tem reliability. Overloading and ineffective cooling of trans- formers are the major causes of failure in distribution trans- former exist some problems and deficiencies. Few of them are mentioned below.

   1. Ordinary transformer measurement system generally de- tects a single transformer parameter such as power, voltage, current and phase. While some detect multi parameter, the time of acquisition and operation parameter is too long and testing speed is not fast enough.

   2. Detection system itself is not reliable. The main problem is the devices instability, poor anti jamming capability, low measurement accuracy of the data..

   3. Timely detection data will not be sent to monitoring cen- ters in time, which cannot judge transformers three phase equilibrium.

   4. A monitoring system can only monitor the operating state or guard against steal the power, and is not able to monitor all useful data of distribution transformers to reduce costs.

   5. Many monitoring systems use power carrier communica- tion to send data.But the power carrier communication has some disadvantages like serious frequency interference, with the increase in distance signal attenuation, serious load changes brought about large electrical noise. So if we use the power carrier communication to send data in real time data transmission, reliability cannot be guaranteed.

      According to the above requirements we need a distribution transformers real time monitoring system to detect all oper- ating parameters which affect the operation, and should be transmitted to the monitoring centre in time. It leads to online monitoring of key operational parameters of distributing transformer which can provide useful information about the health of transformer and keep the asset in operation for a longer period. This will help to identify problems before any serious failure which leads to a significant cost saving and greater reliability. Widespread use of mobile networks and GSM devices modems and their decreasing costs have made them an attractive option not only for voice media but for other wide area network applications.

2. LITERATURE SURVEY

   There are different kinds of system developments, papers and thesis work done around this area, The supervisory control and data Acquisition (SCADA) system has been developed since about 1998 and it is implemented starting from genera- tion up to substations level. But it is not used to monitor and control the status of distribution transformer status and were mainly focused on GSM technologies and most stayed at the substantial level.

   In the journal of energy and power Engineering 7 (2013) 2181-2187, Samson et al published a paper titled Develop- ment and implementation of GSM-based distribution Auto- mation System with graphic user Interface in Nigeria electric power distribution Network. They developed a distribution automation system for Nigerias electric power distribution network which mainly uses a GSM network for communica- tion on the published paper. They stated that lack of up to date information on efficient operations and maintenance of elec- tric power distribution system (EPDS), Nigeria is addressed by designing and implementing an indigenous real time mon- itoring and diagnosis system. Their system encompasses the

   development of software driven hardware positioned at the remotely located sub-stations at the low voltage level to keep track of the network in real time. They achieved fault report- ing time of 2 sec. The developed system exhibits a high de- gree of accuracy and manifests no spurious reports during testing. They then concluded that the resultant system limited the effects of interruptions and increases power availability by reducing the down time. The system strengthened engi- neering and management capabilities required to enhance re- liability by providing information about the network health status

   In the thesis paper titled development of a novel fault man- agement in distribution system using distribution automation system in conjunction with GSM communication develop- ment and implementation of novel fault management at low voltage to enhance reliability of power for the consumer was focused on. Their system has been equipped with current sen- sor as field data interface device, microcontroller as remote terminal unit, GSM as communication network, computer as master terminal unit and visual basic as human machine in- terface (HMI) software. A fault design development of WCDMA based DTMS 12 management strategy has also been designed to find out the fault location effectively with- out human intervention after a fault occurred .The laboratory results were compared with the stimulation results to make the final conclusion on the functionality of the algorithm. This was published on International Journal of Smart Grid and Clean Energy, vol 2, no.3.

   On another thesis paper published on the IOSR Journal of Electrical and Electronics Engineering titled Microcontrol- ler Based Substation Monitoring and control System with GSM Modem , AmitSachan designed a project to acquire the remote electrical parameters like voltage, current and fre- quency and send these real time values over GSM network using GSM Modem/phone along with temperature at power station. Their project was also designed to protect the electri- cal circuitry by operating an Electromagnetic Relay. The Re- lay can be used to operate a circuit Breaker to switch off the main electrical supply. User can send commands in the form of SMS (short message service) message to read the remote electrical parameters. Their system also can automatically send the real time electrical parameters periodically (based on time settings) in he form of SMS. The system can be de- signed to send SMS alerts whenever the circuit breaks trips or whenever the voltage or current exceeds the predefined limit.

3. METHODOLOGY AND DATA

   In our research approach we used three methods identify- ing the problem clearly, literature review and design and de- velopment to investigate the research areas and answer our research questions

   • Identifying the problem: In this research we first iden- tified the existing problem in the power system of Ethi- opia and gave more emphasis on those problems of the distribution power system. We then tried to address the issue of monitoring a distribution transformer which

     help in increasing the efficiency of the distribution sys- tem. Therefore we identified the key parameters which are mainly affected when power system disturbances occur.

   • Literature review : We identified the research gap and formulated a refined research goal .We knew more about the study area of the topic which we are going to research and learned from previous works done by other researchers in the area. In addition to this we gained bet- ter insight of our own research in relation to what has already been done

   Design and Development: In this thesis we designed a proto- type for monitoring a transformer using GSM network. Since this study is not concerned solely about creation of a proto- type, we also made our work a factor that contributes to the existing knowledge. The prototype is used to demonstrate the contribution of knowledge from the data gained in the litera- ture review and this part.

   At the distribution transformer site, the parameters to be transmitted are sensed and converted in digital form.The dig- ital signal is then recorded and transmitted to the control cen- tre with the help of the GSM module.The entire block dia- gram is shown in

   Fig no.1 Transmitter block diagram.

   At the control centre,the received signal is decoded by the microcontroller and the corresponding parameter is displayed on the lcd display.The relays are triggered according to the predefined instructions stored in the microcontroller in abnor- mal working conditions of the distribution transformer.

   Fig no.2 Receiver block diagram.

4. CONCLUSION

   The GSM based monitoring of distribution transformer is quite useful as compared to manual monitoring and also it is reliable as it is not possible to monitor always the oil level temperature rise, ambient temperature rise, load current man- ually. After receiving a message of any abnormality we can take action immediately to prevent any catastrophic failure of distribution transformers. In a distribution network there are many distributions transformers and therefore associating each transformer with such system, we can easily figure out that which transformer is undergoing fault from the message sent to mobile .We need not have to check all transformers and corresponding phase currents and voltages and thus we can recover the system in less time. The time for receiving message may vary due to the public GSM network but still then it is effective than manual monitoring.

5. FUTURE WORK

A server module can be included to this system for receiving and storing transformer parameters information periodically about all the distribution transformer of a particular utility in a database application. This database will be useful source of information on the utility transformer. Analysis of these stored data helps the utility in monitoring the operational be- havior of their distribution transformer and identities faults before any failures thus resulting in significant cost saving as well as improving system reliability.

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