Microcontroller Based Low Voltage Fault Position Locator

• Main Author: Mohd Nor Asyraf Bin Abd Razak
• Language: English
• Published: 2023
• Subjects: Underground Fault Locator

The project purpose is to detect or locate the underground cable fault by using Arduino UNO and the data of the fault signal will deliver to smart phone by using Iot. This project uses the standard Ohms law concept, example, when low DC voltage is applied to the feeder end via a series resistor (assuming it to be a cable line), the current would vary depending on the location of the cable fault. In the case of a short circuit (line to ground), the voltage of the series resistors changes, which is then fed to the ADC, in order to develop accurate digital data that is displayed on the LCD. The circuit assembled with a set of resistors that representing as the length of the cable in KM and the fault of the circuit is made by set of switches to cross every known KM to cross check the accuracy of the same. The fault that occurs at a particular distance from a particular phase is shown on the LCD interface of the microcontroller. The fault signal will be transmit to smart phone by using Wi-Fi device, ESP8266. Design 2 hardware is built to test the actual low voltage cable the idea used for model 2 is the pull-up resistor. The pull-up resistor function is to correct and prevent bias, which prevents digital input gates from floating randomly when there are no input conditions. The idea of the switch used is that it represents the defective cable and the set of LEDs as the fault detection indicator. When the button is pushed (ON) the short to ground occurs at the input and creates a LOW that is the logic 0, if the switch is not pushed, the input system gets the supply from the 5V supply line of the pull-up resistor and creates the HIGH and logic 1. Means here, when the LEDs are turned on in the low condition. Shows that the cable is a bad condition (fault cable). Otherwise, the cable is in good condition.