Load Distribution, Monitoring, and Control on Transformer Using IoT
Distribution Transformers are one of the most important equipment in the Power System. In Power System, Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) is used to monitor or record all the parameters of Power Transformer online but for the Distribution Transformers, we do not have such kind of faci
2025-06-28 16:34:00 - Adil Khan
Load Distribution, Monitoring, and Control on Transformer Using IoT
Project Area of Specialization Electrical/Electronic EngineeringProject SummaryDistribution Transformers are one of the most important equipment in the Power System. In Power System, Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) is used to monitor or record all the parameters of Power Transformer online but for the Distribution Transformers, we do not have such kind of facility. An individual has to visit the Distribution Transformer and has to record all the parameters manually. Therefore, data collecting, and monitoring are some of the major issues in a large distribution network. Monitoring devices that are currently being used have some deficiencies such as: • Manually monitoring system measures only one parameter at a time i.e., Voltage, Current, temperature, etc. • This process is time taking and less efficient. • There is no effective mode of communication and transfer of information in this technique. Overloading of Distribution Transformers is the most common issue we are facing nowadays. Hence Load management should be done in order to protect the distribution transformers from any failure. Nowadays there is a massive increase in the development of the electronics industry that increases the maximum demand. Load management, also known as demand-side management (DSM), is basically improving the system load factor. There are many methods of load management that can be adopted by the industries or by powerhouses such as load shedding, load shifting, energy storage devices, etc. Load shifting is one of the best options we have for load management. Load shifting involves shifting the load in such a way that loads are being transferred from peak to off-peak periods, hence improving the load factor. To solve this issue, we have to introduce a smart grid system i.e., an IoT (Internet of Things) based system, which will allow us to monitor and control of distribution transformer. The IoT-based system will monitor and record the key parameters of DT like load current, voltage, temperature & humidity, oil temperature, etc. Thus, the real-time monitoring of the distribution transformer will allow us to make changes immediately if any issue arrives like overloading. The main purpose of this project is to develop an intelligent monitoring system for the distribution transformer which will monitor the key parameters of DT and when the transformer is being overloaded 4 during peak period, the system will detect the issue and then communicate online with the concerned department. The system will immediately transfer the load to the second transformer to avoid overloading and any failure of DT.
Project ObjectivesObjectives of the project are given below:
- Achieve maximum integration by incorporating online monitoring of almost all the key parameters i.e., current, voltage, oil level. Oil temperature & humidity of DT.
- Provide a quick access for the operator in control room to take suitable action when a fault occurs on DT.
- Make the power distribution network reliable by ensuring continuity of power supply.
- Cut the workforce needed for manual monitoring of Distribution transformer.
- Bring smartness in Power Grid on distribution side.
- Protection to distribution transformer under overload condition by sharing the load.
- Achieve maximum integration by incorporating online monitoring of almost all the key parameters i.e., current, voltage, oil level. Oil temperature & humidity of DT.
- Provide a quick access for the operator in control room to take suitable action when a fault occurs on DT.
- Make the power distribution network reliable by ensuring continuity of power supply.
- Cut the workforce needed for manual monitoring of Distribution transformer.
- Bring smartness in Power Grid on distribution side.
- Protection to distribution transformer under overload condition by sharing the load.
In our SDP, key parameters of both the 3-phase transformers are being monitored i.e., current, voltage, temperature, etc. All the sensors are connected to the microcontroller. Data from the sensors will be displayed on the Blynk App using a Wi-Fi module and Receiver & Transmitter for two-way communication. Here monitoring part of our project is done.
The next part is the protection of 3-phase transformers from overloading. The load distribution and monitoring system comprise a fuzzy logic controller and a monitoring node station. In the first step the fuzzy logic controller, attached between two transformers, monitors the load and if one of the transformers is overloaded then the load of one phase of that transformer is shifted to the other transformer using power relay as a phase-swapping switch. Secondly, if both the transformers are overloaded then both the loads are shed from the transformers. On the other side, the monitoring node station receives data from sensors and displays it on LCD and mobile or PC app. The fuzzy logic controller is used because the fuzzy logic controller is an intelligent tool to manage the loading condition, to protect transformers from overload conditions. This controller can deal with three cases of loads.
Case (I): The two transformers are at a normal state. When the two transformers are at a normal state, during this time the sharing relay was not energized because it feeds its load at a normal state.
Case (II): When one of the transformers is overloaded. When one transformer is at a normal state and another is overloaded, at this condition the sharing relay is energized to share the load.
Case (III): The two transformers are overloaded for each phase. When two transformers are overloaded, at this condition the relay will trip to protect transformers.
Benefits of the Project- Wireless monitoring & protection of key parameters of DT using Blynk app.
- It provides automatic protection against faults like overload, overcurrent, overheating, etc. in Distribution transformer.
- Allows two way communication between operator and Distribution Transformer.
- It ensures fast operation with the help of economical and brilliant interfacing of sensors and relays to cater tripping mechanism in case any contingencies in DT.
- Manual operation for Transformer’s parameters monitoring is avoided with online automatic monitoring through different.
- Protection against overload fault.
In the first step, the controller collects the data from the sensors. The data can be analogue or digital depending upon the type of sensors we are using in our SDP. After getting the data from the microcontroller, data will be sent to the Blynk app using a Wi-Fi module allowing us two-way communication. We have set a safe limit for each parameter of our distribution transformer, whenever any of the parameters violates its safe limit like overcurrent or overvoltage. It will be detected from the Blynk app directly and now the Fuzzy Logic Controller will play his role. If one transformer is overloaded and it can be seen from the Blynk app then the controller will automatically shift the load to the second transformer for safe working of both the transformers.
| Item Name | Type | No. of Units | Per Unit Cost (in Rs) | Total (in Rs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total in (Rs) | 70000 | |||
| Single Phase AC Transformer | Equipment | 6 | 3000 | 18000 |
| Node MCU ESP 8266 E-12 | Equipment | 2 | 800 | 1600 |
| Arduino UNO | Equipment | 2 | 1000 | 2000 |
| Current Sensor (ACS 712) | Equipment | 2 | 500 | 1000 |
| Voltage Sensor (ZMPT 101B) | Equipment | 2 | 500 | 1000 |
| Oil Sensor(DS18B20) | Equipment | 2 | 500 | 1000 |
| ILI9341 TFT Display | Equipment | 2 | 3000 | 6000 |
| ST7735 Display | Equipment | 2 | 3000 | 6000 |
| Microprocessor Power Relay | Equipment | 2 | 5000 | 10000 |
| Project Casing | Equipment | 1 | 10000 | 10000 |
| Connecting wires | Equipment | 1 | 2000 | 2000 |
| Switches | Equipment | 12 | 50 | 600 |
| Cooling Fans | Equipment | 6 | 300 | 1800 |
| Bulbs | Equipment | 12 | 200 | 2400 |
| Bulb Holders | Equipment | 12 | 50 | 600 |
| Panaflex, stationary, project case paint, etc | Miscellaneous | 1 | 6000 | 6000 |