Due to the underground environment, wear and tear, rats, etc., underground cables are vulnerable to a wide range of problems. Additionally, pinpointing the cause of a fault is challenging, and digging the entire line is required to inspect it and correct any faults.
In order to make repair work as simple as possible, we now provide a cable fault detection via IOT that pinpoints the exact fault location through IoT. Only that section needs to be dug up to find the source of the defect because the repairmen are aware of exactly which part is at fault. This enables quicker underground cable maintenance while also saving a great deal of time, money, and effort.
We use IOT technology, which enables the administration to track and examine issues online. The potential divider network that has been installed across the cable aids the system in problem detection.
Proposed System
In the proposed system, a certain voltage is generated according to the resistor network configuration whenever a fault occurs at a place where two lines are shorted together. The microcontroller detects this voltage and updates the user. The user is informed of the distance that a certain voltage corresponds to. The microcontroller obtains the data about the fault line and displays it on an LCD screen. It also sends this data over the internet for online display. We created the online system that connects with the system to show cable issues online using IOTGecko.
Different businesses have developed systems for pinpointing the position and distance of faults, however, these systems lack the capability to show the problem and distance on internet services. A system named a display of underground cable fault distance over the internet system has been created here. Using the Pic microcontroller 18F452, Max232, ADC 0808, and WiFi modem, this system was created. The supply firm may simply find the exact issue distance at their workplace utilizing this approach, saving both time and money.
Block Diagram of Display of Underground Cable Fault Distance Over Internet System
Here is a block diagram showing all the crucial parts of the system used to display the distance between underground cable faults. The block diagram for the Underground Cable Fault Distance Over Internet System is shown in the figure below.
- Transformer: The transformer is used to step down the ac voltages in this display of subterranean cable fault distance across the the internet system. It functions according to the mutual induction principle and steps down the 220V ac into 12V ac here.
- Bridge Rectifier: In order to deliver dc power to all of the system’s components, the bridge rectifier is employed in this display of underground cable fault distance over the internet system to convert ac voltages into dc voltages. It is connected to the transformer’s output.
- Blocking Diode: In this setup, the reverse saturation current is stopped using a blocking diode.
- Voltage Regulator: The voltage regulator is utilized in this underground cable fault distance display over the internet system to control the dc voltages. It is connected to the bridge rectifier’s output and controls the conversion of 12 V DC to 5 V DC. Here, a voltage regulator called the LM7805 has been employed.
- LCD Display: The LCD display is utilized in this underground cable fault distance display over the internet system to show the fault site or distance in kilometers. It is connected to a microcontroller and powered by 5V DC.
- Max232: The maximum 232 is employed in this underground cable fault distance display via the internet system for serial connection between the microcontroller and GSM modem. It is a 16-pin integrated circuit IC that is connected to a microcontroller in this instance.
- GSM Modem: The GSM modem is utilized to connect this system with the mobile network system in this display of underground cable fault distance over the internet system. The GSM modem uses a sim card and functions similarly to a mobile phone. When it comes to computers, it enables the usage of the GSM modem for mobile network communication.
- Microcontroller PIC 18F452: The microcontroller is utilized in this underground cable fault distance display system through the internet for controlling purposes. It is a 40-pin integrated circuit controller that runs on 5V dc power. It is interfaced with a GSM modem, a DC 0808, and a relay driver IC and is programmed in the C programming language using the Mikro/C software.
- ADC 0808: The ADC 0808 is utilized in this underground cable fault distance display via the internet system to transform analog inputs into digital logic output for microcontrollers and is powered by 5V dc.
- Relay Driver: In this system, the multiplexed relays are turned on and off using a relay driver IC. It is an integrated circuit with 16 pins that connect to a microcontroller.
- Multiplexed Relays: The multiplexed relays are the scanning relays and are used to scan the ground fault distance in this presentation of underground cable fault distance over the internet system.
Working Principle
This internet-based method for displaying underground cable fault distance operates on the principle of scanning or multiplexing relays. These relays are set up according to the distance, which could be 1, 2, or 3-kilo meters. Here, we’ve used various cables for demonstration reasons and set them up at a distance of 500 meters.Â
When a problem occurs or we short any cables through the linked switch, the microcontroller detects this failure using the ADC 0808. The relay driver IC is then switched on by the microcontroller after receiving the logic signal from the relay. The microprocessor then determines the fault distance by turning on the cross-ponding multiplexed relay because these relays are designed with respect to distance.
The microcontroller also sends this data or distance reading to the mobile network system through the GSM modem while simultaneously displaying it on the LCD display. The computer then uses a dedicated website to present this data or distance reading over a mobile network infrastructure. On a specialised website, this information, or distance reading, is shown in the form of various graphs.
Applications and Advantages
- Used in underground transmission system for tracing the exact fault location and distance.
- More compact and reliable as compared to the other systems
- Through the specialised website, the user or supply firm may simply learn about the fault position and distance at their place of employment by using this technology.
- The user or supply firm can save valuable time by utilising this system.
- The user or supply company might lessen their extensive tracing by employing this approach.