SSRG International Journal of Electronics and Communication Engineering Volume 9 Issue 11, 11-16, November 2022

ISSN: 2348-8549 / https://doi.org/10.14445/23488549/IJECE-V9I11P102 © 2022 Seventh Sense Research Group®

Original Article

Transformer Health Monitoring System using GSM

Technology
B. Durai Babu1, Eman Mhammd Al-hashmi2, Fakhra Khalifa Amur Al-Habsi3, Safa Abdullah Al-Azri4
1,2,3,4
Department of Engineering, University of Technology and Applied Science-Ibra

Received: 08 October 2022 Revised: 15 November 2022 Accepted: 17 November 2022 Published: 30 November 2022

Abstract - Automation plays a significant role in sensing faults and protecting distribution transformers. Automation also
provides excellent reliability, reduces human effort, and provides a better protection system used to improve the quality of
electrical service. The distribution transformer is one of the most expensive components, and protection against faults and
failures is critical. This project is about designing and implementing a GSM-based distribution transformer monitoring
and fault detection system. Different types of sensors are installed at the transformer site, and parameters like load
current, oil level and ambient temperature are recorded and monitored. The current Sensor is used to measure the load
current, and the oil level sensor is used to measure the oil level, thereby indirectly measuring the ambient temperature.
This proposed system will trip the load, and the engineer will indicate if any abnormal condition or parameters are not
directly limited by the GSM module, showing the abnormality. Also, if an overload or overheating in the distribution
transformer occurs, the Relay will trip the load, and an SMS message will be sent to the engineer indicating the type of
fault.

Keywords - Distribution transformer, Protection, GSM, Current sensor, Oil level sensor.

1. Introduction terminal unit, a GSM communication network, a computer

The literature related to the research topic has been as a master terminal unit, and essential visual software as a
reviewed for the last twenty years to find out work carried human-machine interface (HMI). After a problem occurs, a
out by diverse researchers. So many systems for control fault design development of the WCDMA-based DTMS 12
are designed and remote monitoring as experimental management technique has been devised to successfully
research platforms or commercial products. They say that locate the fault site without human interaction. The
most of the research was carried out in the following laboratory information was contrasted with the stimulation
categories: outcomes to achieve this determination.

• Transformer failures, causes & impact. "Temperature Coefficient Monitoring System on a

• Design and implementation of real-time transformer Power Transformer Using F.B.G. Sensors," May 2016.
and monitoring system using GSM. Praneeth Kumar, Bajjuri, and Boda Vamsee Krishna Babu
• Development of I.O.T. and controlling of suggested Overheating concerns will impair the safe
distribution transformers. functioning and longevity of an oil-immersed transformer;
consequently, the temperature of the windings and oil must
• Achievement of transformer protection by the
be monitored while the transformer is in operation.
intelligent electronic device.
Temperature sensors for Fiber Bragg Grating (F.B.G.) are
• Applications of infrared camera for monitoring of
fitted to monitor the temperature of the windings, cores,
transformer bushing.
and busbars, as well as the oil temperature at the top and
bottom. Temperature data is collected and analyzed over
2. Literature Survey time using an online monitoring system.
The research proposal termed "Development of a
Novel Fault Management in Distribution System Using Amit Sachan designed a project to acquire remote
Distribution Automation System in Conjunction with GSM electrical parameters such as voltage, current, and
Communication Development and Implementation of frequency and send these real-time values over a GSM
Novel Fault Management at Low Voltage to Improve network using a GSM Modem/phone along with
Power Reliability for Consumers" focused on the temperature at a power station in another thesis paper
development and implementation of novel fault published in the IOSR Journal of Electrical and Electronics
management at low voltage to improve power reliability Engineering titled Microcontroller Based Substation
for consumers. Their system includes a current sensor as a Monitoring and Control System with GSM Modem. Their
field data interface device, a microcontroller as a remote idea also included an Electromagnetic Relay to protect the

This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)

 B. Durai Babu et al. / IJECE, 9(11), 11-16, 2022

electrical circuits. The Relay can be used to turn off the Unbalanced loading of the transformer will result in
main power supply by operating a circuit breaker. To read increased copper losses [4]. The temperature of the
the distant electrical parameters, the user can send SMS transformer oil increases with loading, thus increasing the
(short messaging service) commands. Their device can volume of the oil. Distribution adapters work around the
also automatically communicate real-time electrical clock. The failure of these transformers must cause
parameters. considerable inconvenience to many consumers and
substantial financial losses to facilities. It is, therefore,
3. Transformer Failures & Impact essential to avoid the disappointment of transformers [5].
Development of a distribution Transformer Health The long life of distribution transformers can be
Monitoring System has been done because the distribution guaranteed if they are operated according to the specific
transformer is the most vital asset in any electrical conditions that are considered important reasons for the
distribution network, and it needs special care and failure of distribution:
attention. This THMS can monitor the health status of the
distribution transformer in real-time aspect. Many
Power supply
transformers are distributed over a small area in present
electric systems, and it's complex to monitor the condition
manually of every single transformer. So, automatic data Energy Sensor

GSM Module
microcontroller
acquisition and transformer condition monitoring has been
Temperature

Arduino
a significant problem [1].
sensor

This is used to monitor load currents, over-voltage,

Ultrasonic Sensor
transformer oil level and oil temperature, over-voltage,
transformer oil level and oil temperature. This system is
programmed with some predefined instructions to detect LCD
abnormal conditions. Suppose there is any abnormality in
the system. In that case, the GSM module will send SMS
messages to the designated mobile phone containing Fig. 1 Block Diagram
information about the exception according to the
predefined instructions as it is a wireless communicating Transformers include overload, low-level transformer
system. There is no need for big cables, which are costly. oil, load imbalance, overheating transformer oil, defects,
Thus, THMS offers more advanced transformer and inhalation of moisture intake [6].
monitoring [2].
Using different sensors and Lora WAN technology, an
(IoT) to monitor the conditions and control the more Internet-based solution (IoT) was proposed to improve
significant number of distribution transformers because it distribution transformers' control through voltage and
is one of the most influential and essential pieces of current power, oil temperature, file temperature and silica
equipment in the power distribution network. Lora (long- gel status. Lora WAN is a low-power network that
range) technology to monitor and diagnose the state of supports two-way Internet traffic (IoT), including
distribution transformers using specific sensors/devices. extensive networks of millions and millions of devices [7].
This makes it easier to record critical operating parameters Council of Arduino Ono. Each digital pin can be used on
such as voltage, current load, winding temperatures, oil the Uno panel as an input or output, with different
temperature, vessel oil level, and silica gel condition for functions such as pin Mode, digital Write, and digital
each distribution adapter within 10 km using LoRa Read.
modules. This data is sent to the Internet platform objects
using the Laura Portal. Power systems are real-time power Software (IDE): Arduino IDE is a program that allows
delivery systems, which means that Energy is generated, you to write scripts in simple language like the processing
transported, and supplied within the required time [3]. The language. The download button on the IDE is used to load
modern power system component includes transformers the chart onto the panel. [8]
that raise or reduce voltages as needed, especially
transformers that reduce voltage to the level necessary for 4. Major Strengths and Weakness
consumer equipment. Distribution transformers are not Different faults cause different failures in different
only crucial electrical equipment but also more expensive. parts. Some are more critical than others; some occur more
frequently, while others are difficult to discover. GSM
Frequent failure of transformers will result in a networking helps in the best way of communication,
significant loss of revenue for energy distributors. enhancing the process's improvement step. Develop an
Generally, continuous distribution transformers are not online monitoring system with many specifications such as
recommended. However, overload cannot be avoided for a information gathering, the best management, case
short time. In the case of excess, the additional loss leads assessment and decision making for engineering.
to more heat, which affects the burning of winding
insulation, causing the final failure of the transformer.

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 B. Durai Babu et al. / IJECE, 9(11), 11-16, 2022

A single fault not only has an effect on the specific 5. System Modeling and Operation
component but on many others in the transformer; 5.1. Block Circuit Diagram
therefore, more failure occurs in the transformer from a 5.1.1. Block Description
small mark. The minor fault must not be ignored. The transformer is a distribution transformer. There
Distribution transformers are not only crucial electrical are three sensors used in our project, first is the oil and
equipment but also more costly. Frequent failure of the temperature sensor to monitor the temperature in the
transformer will result in a significant loss of revenue for transformer. There is an opposite direction. If the oil level
energy distribution. The average operating temperature is lower, the temperature will be high (first faults). The
becomes less than the temperature of contact, which results second Sensor is voltage, above or average or below. The
in overheating the bushing. It will not accept by users. third Sensor is the current Sensor to detect the current. All
three sensors are analogue and convert to digital, giving
the signal to Microcontroller.

Fig. 2 Circuit Diagram

A microcontroller is the heart of the project. And it depending on the A.C. power required. In our circuit, a
understands what the Sensor is doing (C programming). If 230 V / 15 V transformer is used to perform the step-down
any abnormal condition or not within the limit, directly process, where 230 volts A.C. is shown as 15 V A.C. via
send the message by GSM. Also, if there is overload or secondary winding. The correction in the power supply
overheating, we will cut the Relay's power. A light unit is usually done using a solid-state diode. The diode
indicator buzzer is a sound for any abnormal condition or has a property that will allow the electron to flow easily in
fault in the transformer—functional Circuit Diagram. one direction in the case of appropriate bias. As the A.C. is
applied to the diode, the electrons only flow when the
6. Operation of the Project positive and negative electrode is negative. Reversing the
When the A.C. is applied to the initial rotation of the voltage polarity will not allow the electron to flow.
power adapter, it can either be deflated or mounted

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 B. Durai Babu et al. / IJECE, 9(11), 11-16, 2022

The four-diode bridge rectifier (4 * IN4007) achieves this project is that one should be familiar with the software
full-wave correction. The diodes will behave during the to get the perfect layout.
negative cycle, and the other two will take place during
half a joyous process. The DC voltage shown through the In figure 4, the curve shows the power output (we can
output terminals of the bridge rectifier will be less than get the power by multiplying current with voltage); when
90% of the applicable R.M.S. value. The filter circuitry increasing the voltage, the current increase. The voltage is
generally acts as a condenser as a lightning arrester and a normal condition between 220V to 230V, and the wind is
always follows the unit rectifier. This capacitor is also 1.66A. When voltage or current exceeds the limit, the
called a decoupling capacitor or a lateral capacitor. It is system has an abnormal state (fault) and gets a voltage is
used to "shorten" the 120 Hz ripple on the ground and 235V and a recent increase to 2A.
leave the D.C. current to appear at the output. Voltage
regulators play an essential role in any power supply unit. 7. Results and Discussions
The primary purpose of the regulator is to help the Our system helps monitor the faults and failures in a
rectifier, and the filter circuit provides constant distribution transformer. Energy Sensor (PZEM004T)
sensor measures the Energy consumed. A temperature
sensor (D.H.T. 22) measures the ambient temperature. An
Measurements at different conditions ultrasonic Sensor is used to measure the oil level. The
Relay is used to trip the load in case of any failure or fault,
300
and the Microcontroller is used to perform a predefined
250
task. The GSM module is interfaced with Microcontroller
through an RS232 adapter by which it can upload and
200 download SMS messages that contain information related
to the transformer status. This GSM module then sends
150 this SMS message to the engineer containing information
about the various parameters of the transformer.
100

50

0
Normal Abnormal Normal Abnormal Normal Abnormal
Condition Condition Condition Condition Condition Condition
Voltage Current Power
Temperature Oil level

Fig. 3 Output Power - Measurements at different conditions

Fig. 4 Output Power Fig. 5 SMS message

6.1. Primary Work and Simulation In this project, we started by making a system to help
We checked the circuit using a simulation tool called monitor the failures and faults in a distribution
Proteus software. This software is used to know if the transformer. So first, we studied different components
designed circuit is working. Another software we used in needed for this project and selected an economical
microcontroller that fulfils our project's requirements.

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Table 1. Measurements at different conditions

Voltage Current Power Temperature Oil level

Normal Condition 220 0.18 34 24.9 Normal

Abnormal Condition 218 0 Overload 25.5 Normal
Normal Condition 220 0.18 34 24.9 Normal
Abnormal Condition 218 0 0 25.5 Normal
Normal Condition 220 0.18 34 24.9 Normal
Abnormal Condition 218 0 0 25.5 critical
and successfully compiles our code, and then it is
successfully loaded to Microcontroller. We interfaced
different electronic components like GSM, LCD and
Relays to the Arduino on board and tested our hardware.
Energy, oil level and temperature are measured for all
three phases. Whenever the predefined threshold value was
exceeded, in the normal condition, a message was sent to
the engineer indicating the type of fault.

8. Conclusion
This project helps monitor the faults and failures in a
distribution transformer. We are using three sensors: a
voltage sensor to measure voltage, current to sense the
current Sensor and a temperature sensor to measure
temperature. The Relay is used to trip the load in case of
fault failure, and the Microcontroller performs a
predefined task. And the GSM module then sends this
SMS message to the engineer containing the information
about various parameters of the transformer. The voltage
between 220 V to 230 V is a normal condition; above or
less, this value means the abnormal condition will send a
Fig. 6 Final Prototype
message directly. This system is better than manually
monitoring, and the time for preventing failure and loss is
ARDUINO is used for this purpose, it is programmed also reduced significantly. Also, we need to monitor the
in C language, using Arduino IDE software as a compiler parameter to avoid any significant problems.

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