Health monitoring of distribution Transformer
Transformer is the most important electrical equipment in power system. If it fails to work the entire power system will be shut down and there will be loss of both energy and time. Hence, the transformer needs to be protected from every kind of hazards like line faults, earth short, lightening surg
2025-06-28 16:32:51 - Adil Khan
Health monitoring of distribution Transformer
Project Area of Specialization Electrical/Electronic EngineeringProject SummaryTransformer is the most important electrical equipment in power system. If it fails to work the entire power system will be shut down and there will be loss of both energy and time. Hence, the transformer needs to be protected from every kind of hazards like line faults, earth short, lightening surges and traveling waves, high losses and low voltage and currents. etc. some of protections are given by the transformer manufacturer and some will be done by us in this project. We focus on the transformer under voltage and currents conditions, high temperature and low oil level and quality. Different sensors is used to look after these parameters. The other part of this project is internet of thing (IOT). Using IOT the transformer is monitored on real time basis. IOT is the technique through which we can transfer/send any information through internet and control them from somewhere else on internet. We use microcontroller, communication module and receiver for this purpose. The screen shows us the real time scenario of all the parameter (voltage, currents, temperature etc.). there may be function of shutting down the transformer using circuit breaker and relay.
Project ObjectivesHealth monitoring of distribution transformer (like temperature, currents, voltages and oil level) should be monitored autonomously at real time basis. If any value/parameter cross its rated value, specific and suitable action must be taken at proper time to prevent any loss and damage. Also, there should facility of remote accessibility and control of that transformer values/parameters. Internet of things is the best tool to remotely access and control any real-life object new a day.
This work is done for improvement of efficiency of distribution transformers used in every street in cities and villages. But it can also be applicable on power transformers in power houses and switch yards. In power houses and switchyard with necessary changes, there is more need of this work as compared to distribution transformer. Also, the same logic and algorithm can be applied on generators and motors also. The outcomes of these equipment, if use this work on it, will be safe and reliable output.
Project Implementation MethodHealth monitoring of distribution transformer could be done using many approaches as discussed in previous section. The approach we will use in this project is discussed below.
Transformer basic faults are related with voltages and currents. So, we measure and its voltages and currents using potential transformers and current transformers respectively. Also, the temperature is measured using temperature sensors. All these measurements are feed to the microcontroller (we are using raspberry pi). Power supply, keyboard, mouse and liquid crystal display are also connected to the pi so that pi switch on and show the results. Raspberry pi processed values are further transmitted through internet using GSM/GPRS module. GSM/GPRS are communication modules used to send information on internet. On the other side (monitoring node) we have monitoring system in which the distribution transformer parameters are displayed to the operators. When any disturbances occur, indicator indicates these problems and immediate actions performed to get back its status to normal.
Benefits of the ProjectTransformer is the most important electrical equipment in power system. If it fails to work the entire power system will be shut down and there will be loss of both energy and time. So, in order to save our money and time it needs to be protected. we need to protect the transformer from every kind of hazards like line faults, earth short, lightening surges and traveling waves, high losses and low voltage and currents. etc.
If surveyed about the real causes of failure of electrical equipment’s, like transformer, generators, bus bars and manty others, the main causes are suddenly high currents, high voltage surges and temperature increase. Here are some statements about transformer failure from different research journals and news.
‘Nur Widi Priambodo’ publish a paper in ISITEE in July 2018 in which he states that the basic failure causes of transformer are the internal short circuit of ground and lines and arcing between high and low voltage arcing which causes insulation breakdown. (Priambodo, Harsono, & Munir, july 2018)
One another paper written in Pakistan by Shayan Tariq Jan also states the same impacts and causes. This journal was published in International Conference Data Mining, Civil and Mechanical Engineering (ICDMCME’2015). (International Conference Data Mining, feb 2015).
The basic and leading causes of transformer failure was the line disturbances. Line disturbances category includes the switching surges, voltage surges, line faults/ failure and flashover with other many reasons, These are mentioned in the journal written by William H Bartley.P.E. (P.E, IEEE) . following are the table stating the different causes of failure
Technical Details of Final Deliverable3.3 Geometric Modeling and Design:
Block diagram:
The proposed block diagram for this project is given below.
| Humidity sensor |
| Raspberry Pi 3 |
| Voltage sensors (3) |
| GSM/GPRS module |
| Current sensors (3) |
| Analog to digital converters |
| Keyboard and mouse |
| supply |
| Vibration sensor |
| Oil Level sensor |
| Temperature sensor |
| PC in the control room |
Fig: 3.1 Block diagram of proposed method
In the above figure the basic process flow is shown. This is the project lay out and it shows that how things will be connected and will perform coordination with each one.
Physical drawing of transformer with CTs and PTs:
The physical model of the project is shown below.
Fig: 3.2 Schematic diagram of project without IOT
Physical drawing of IOT:
The diagram of internet of things setup is given as follow.
3.4 Codes and Standards:
A) Current transformer:
Use two different types if current transformers
- for primary side of distribution transformer. CT used has ration of 10/5. Because on primary side current maximum is 2.64A for maximum load. The CT will return us current with ratio of two (2).
- For secondary side of distribution transformer, CT used has ratio of 100/5. Because on secondary side current maximum current is 65.60 A. The CT will return us current with ratio of twenty (20).
B) voltage measurements:
We use a specific IC called ACS712, which convert the detected current into original voltage.
C) Temperature module:
LM35 integrated circuit temperature sensor is used to measure the temperature.
D) Oil level sensors:
Oil level and quality sensor is used to measure oil level in transformer.
E) Microcontroller:
We use raspberry Pi 3 B+ module as a microcontroller In this project.
F) Communication modules:
We use GPRS/GSM module to send the data through internet.
G) Power supply and other auxiliaries:
Power supply of 5 volt and min 2A is used to power up the microcontroller. Keyboard, LCD and mouse are also required.
Humidity sensor
Raspberry Pi
3
Voltage sensors (3)
GSM/GPRS
module
Current sensors (3)
Analog to digital converters
Keyboard and mouse
supply
Vibration sensor
Oil Level sensor
Temperature sensor
PC in the control room
Final Deliverable of the Project HW/SW integrated systemCore Industry Energy Other Industries Education , IT , Security Core Technology Internet of Things (IoT)Other TechnologiesSustainable Development Goals Quality Education, Affordable and Clean Energy, Sustainable Cities and CommunitiesRequired Resources| Raspberry Pi 3 |