IJSRD - International Journal for Scientific Research & Development| Vol.

1, Issue 12, 2014 | ISSN (online): 2321-0613

GSM Based Condition Monitoring of Transformer

Monika Agarwal1 Akshay pandya2

1
P.G. Student, 2Associate Professor
1,2
Department of Electrical Engineering
1,2
B.V.M. Engineering College, V. V. Nagar, Gujarat, India

Abstract— In normal ways all the Industrial or Electrical quality occurs slowly. But this deterioration multiplies in
machineries are controlled by the manual operation. Hence due course of time and leads to final failure of the
there is step by step progress but most of the time there is transformer. So, to overcome this situation, continuous
not actually instant cooperation between system and monitoring of the condition and preventive measures is
operator in case of emergency or fault type situation required for correct maintenance of the transformer.
.Therefore we are designing a system where there exits Distribution transformers have a long service life if they are
communication between system and operator. For this we operated under good and rated conditions. However, their
are using Transformer, microcontroller, logic level converter life is significantly reduced if they are overloaded, resulting
and GSM i.e. global system for mobile communication in unexpected failures and loss of supply to a large number
modem. This GSM modem helps to monitor transformer of customers thus effecting system reliability. Overloading
health by sending message to the system. As we know, and ineffective cooling of transformers are the major causes
transformer is a major component of power system and its of failure in distribution transformers.
correct functioning is vital to system operations.
Distribution transformers are currently monitored manually
To reduce the risk of unexpected failure and the ensuring
where a person periodically visits a transformer site for
unscheduled outage, on-line monitoring has become the
maintenance and records parameter of importance. This type
common practice to assess continuously the condition of the
of monitoring cannot provide information about occasional
transformer. This paper presents design and implementation
overloads and overheating of transformer oil and windings.
of a mobile embedded system to monitor and record key
All these factors can significantly reduce transformer life.
operation of a distribution transformer like overvoltage, over
Our system is designed based upon online monitoring of key
current, temperatures, fall of oil level. Also it is important to
operational parameters of distribution transformers can
keep an eye on transformer health when operator is not
provide useful information about the health of transformers
present actually at transformer site so we are introducing
which will help the utilities to optimally use their
system named as two way communication systems between
transformers and keep the asset in operation for a longer
transformer and operator through GSM modem where
period. This paper presents the design and development of
person can ask any related parameter value of transformer
an automatic real time monitoring system consisting of PIC
health by sending message to the system. This system is
micro controller, sensors and GSM modem.
designed to send SMS alerts whenever related parameter
value exceeds the predefined limits.
Keywords: Power system faults, transformer conditioning II. TRANSFORMER FAULT ANALYSIS
monitoring, GSM technology, micro controller A. Over load
Over current is the current flowing through the transformer
I. INTRODUCTION resulting from faults on the power system. Fault currents
In the expanding world the demand of electricity is that do not include ground are generally in excess of four
increasing day by day. The power utilities are making times full-load current; fault currents that include ground
continuous efforts to reduce the gap between supply and can be below the full-load current depending on the system
demand. The effect of various faults in power system leads grounding method. Over current conditions are typically
to unplanned outages in power system, which makes the short in duration (less than two seconds) because protection
situation still worse. Powers transformers are the heart of relays usually operate to isolate the faults from the power
power system. They are the key apparatus in power system. system. Overload, by contrast, is current drawn by load, a
Any fault on transformer leads to unnecessary outages and load current in excess of the transformer name-plate rating.
huge loss to electric utility. For proper and reliable operation In summary, loading large power transformers beyond
of power transformer, continuous condition monitoring is nameplate ratings can result in reduced dielectric integrity,
required. thermal runaway condition (extreme case) of the contacts of
Transformer is a high efficient static electrical device used the tap changer, and reduced mechanical strength in
for power transfer from one voltage level to the other and insulation of conductors and the transformer structure. Three
plays the vital role in electrical transmission and distribution factors, namely water, oxygen, and heat, determine the
system. From the day of this equipment in service, different insulation life of a transformer. Filters and other oil
stresses like electrical, mechanical, chemical, and preservation systems control the water and oxygen content
environmental factors affect the condition of the in the insulation, but heat is essentially a function of the
transformer. At the initial stage, degradation of insulation ambient temperature and the load current. Current increases

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 GSM Based Condition Monitoring of Transformer
(IJSRD/Vol. 1/Issue 12/2014/0072)

the hottest-spot temperature (and the oil temperature), and convert 230V AC to 9V AC. The output from the secondary
there by decreases the insulation life span. is then applied to the bridge rectifiers IN4007, which
converts the sinusoidal input into full wave rectified output.
B. Over Temperature
The filter capacitor at the output of the bridge rectifier is
Excessive load current alone may not result in damage to the charged to the peak value of the rectified output voltage
transformer if the absolute temperature of the windings and whenever the diodes are forward biased. Since the diodes
transformer oil remains within specified limits. Transformer are forward biased during entire positive and negative half
ratings are based on a 24-hour average ambient temperature cycle of the input waveform, the voltage across the filter
of 30°C (86°F). Due to overload and under voltage, capacitor is a pulsating DC that is a combination of DC and
temperature of oil increases which causes failure of a ripple voltage. From the pulsating DC voltage, a regulated
insulation of transformer winding. DC voltage is extracted by the regulator IC. The 7805 is an
C. Over Excitation IC which output the +5v regulated voltage and can deliver
output current in excess of 1.0A.
The flux in the transformer core is directly proportional to
the applied voltage and inversely proportional to the
frequency. Over excitation can occur when the per-unit ratio
of voltage to frequency (Volts/Hz) exceeds 1.05 p.u. at full
load and 1.10 p.u. at no load. An increase in transformer
terminal voltage or a decrease in frequency will result in an
increase in the flux. Over excitation results in excess flux,
which causes transformer heating and increases exciting
current, noise, and vibration.
D. Oil Level Fault
Oil mainly used in transformer for two purposes one is for
cooling of transformer and another use is for insulation Fig 1.power supply circuit
purpose. When temperature of transformer goes high, oil 1) Step Down Transformer
level in transformer tank decreases due to heating effect. For It is a device for stepping down voltage from 230V to 15V.
normal operation of transformer oil level should maintain at The transformer for 5V supply is 0-9V and transformer for
required level. If oil level decreases beyond required level, it 12V supply is 0-15V.
affect cooling and insulation of the transformer. 2) Bridge Rectifier
The bridge rectifier converts ac voltage to dc voltage. The
III. COMPONENTS USED FOR THE DESIGN OF advantages of bridge rectifier are The center tap of the
CONDITIONING MONITORING OF THE TRANSFORMER transformer secondary is eliminated. It provides output
A. PIC16F877A MICROCONTROLLER twice that of center taps circuits for the same secondary
voltage. The peak inverse voltage is one half of the center
This is one of the most advanced microcontrollers from
tapped circuits.
Microchip. This controller is widely used for experimental
and modern applications because of its low price, wide C. Voltage Regulator (LM7805)
range of applications, high quality, and ease of availability. The voltage source in a circuit may have fluctuations and
It is ideal for applications such as machine control would not give the fixed voltage output .Voltage regulator
applications, measurement devices, study purpose, and so (LM7805) is used to maintain a constant out voltage of +5v.
on. The PIC 16F877A features all the components which It is a member of 78xx series of fixed linear voltage
modern microcontrollers normally have. regulator ICs. The 7800 series of the three terminal positive
General features voltage regulators are monolithic integrated circuits
designed for fixed voltage regulator for a wide variety of
1) All single-cycle instructions except for program
applications including local regulators. It is available in
branches, which are two-cycle
seven fixed output voltage options from +5V to +24V DC
2) Operating Speed: DC-20 MHZ clock input DC- 200 ns
The voltage source in a circuit may have fluctuations and
instruction cycle. would not give the fixed voltage output.
3) Up to 8K x 14 words of Flash Program Memory, Up to
It is a three terminal device .The voltage of +12v is applied
368 x 8 bytes of Data Memory (RAM), Up to 256 x 8
to the input and it gives out +5v of output which is the
bytes of EEPROM Data Memory.
requirement of microcontroller ,LCD
4) Fully static design.
display(16*2),MAX232 and various other devices used in
5) Wide operating voltage range (2.0 – 5.56) volts.
this project.
6) High sink/source current (25mA).
7) Commercial, industrial and extended temperature ranges. Features of IC 7805
8) Low power consumption. 

Output current in excess of 1A.


B. Power supply No external components required.


Internal thermal overload protection.
The power supply circuit is shown in the fig 1.It has been

designed to generate a regulated 5V DC and 12V DC from Internal short circuit current limiting.
the mains 230V AC.A step down transformer is used to Package in plastic case.

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 GSM Based Condition Monitoring of Transformer
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D. Potential Transformer 1) Application:

Potential transformers are used for measuring voltage in Fuel tank level sensor can measure changing level of any
electrical power systems, and for power system protection liquid (diesel, gasoline, water, liquefied gas, milk etc.) in
and control. When a voltage is too large to be conveniently moving and fixed tanks (vehicles fuel tanks, fuel tank tracks,
used by an instrument, it can be scaled down to a railway tank cars, industrial tanks and liquid storages). The
standardized, low value. Potential transformers isolate measurements are provided through the tank bottom so no
measurement, protection and control circuitry from the high damage and drilling of the tank are needed.
voltages present on the circuits being measured or
controlled. IV. DESIGN OF MICROCONTROLLER BASED
Two voltage transformer are used to measure the input TRANSFORMER HEALTH CONDITION MONITORING
voltage and output voltage .One is connected in parallel to KIT
the primary of the transformer under test and from there to
directly to (RA0) port of the microcontroller and second is
connected in parallel to the secondary of the transformer to
(RA2) port of the microcontroller
E. Current Transformer
Instrument transformers are used for measuring current in
electrical power systems, and for power system protection
and control. Where a current is too large to be conveniently
used by an instrument, it can be scaled down to a
standardized, low value. Instrument transformers isolate
measurement, protection and control circuitry from the high
voltages present on the circuits being measured or
controlled.
A current transformer is a transformer designed to provide a
current in its secondary coil proportional to the current
flowing in its primary coil. Current instrument transformers
are designed to have predictable characteristics on
overloads. Fig. 2: Basic block diagram
Two Current Transformers are used to measure the input
current and output current. One is connected in series to the
primary of the transformer under test and from there to
directly to (RA4) port of the microcontroller and second is
connected in series to the secondary of the transformer to
(RA3) port of the microcontroller.
F. Temperature sensor
The LM35 series are precision integrated-circuit
temperature sensors, whose output voltage is linearly
proportional to the Celsius (Centigrade) temperature. The
LM35 thus has an advantage over linear temperature sensors
calibrated in Kelvin, as the user is not required to subtract a
large constant voltage from its output to obtain convenient
Centigrade scaling.
LM 35 is directly connected to the analog ports of the PIC
Microcontroller (RA1).which directly give the temperature
of the winding. As second connection of the temperature
sensor is to the winding of the transformer.
G. Ultrasonic oil level detector
Ultrasonic oil level sensor is used for oil level measurement
in the transformer. When temperature of transformer goes
high, oil level in transformer tank decreases due to heating
effect. For normal operation of transformer oil level should
maintain at required level. If oil level decreases beyond
required level, it affect cooling and insulation of the
transformer.
Here an ultrasonic oil level detector is used to measure the
level of oil .which is placed at the top of the tank in which
transformer under test is placed .It is directly connected Fig. 3: Circuit diagram for GSM based Conditioning
(RC7) port of the transformer. Monitoring

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 GSM Based Condition Monitoring of Transformer
(IJSRD/Vol. 1/Issue 12/2014/0072)

The Fig. 2 shows the basic block diagram for online result of transformer condition will be displayed on the
monitoring the condition of the transformer using display screen. Initially the rated value of the transformer
microcontroller, sensor, and GSM modem will be set and if any of values reaches above that value then
Fig 3 Shows the design of the circuit for monitoring the the alarm will ring and at that same time the msg will be
condition of transformer using GSM(Global System for sent to the mobile user whose number is feed into the GSM
Mobile Communication) modem.
By knowing the values of the violating the parameter ,the
V. CIRCUIT DIAGRAM DESCRIPTION operator can take necessary step , so as to avoid the damage
The proposed circuit diagram is used for monitoring of to the equipment. Thus this is the convinent way of avoiding
transformer parameter like voltage, current, oil level, the catastrophic failure and the damage to the equipment and
temperature of the windings based on microcontroller. The to save the cost of replacing the transformer.
monitored output will be display on a display screen (size Use of GSM technique provides speed of communication
16*2) through wireless communication network. Monitored with distance independentancy also it enables bidirectional
outputs are compared with the rated values of the communication as a message.
transformer and microcontroller is programmed in such a
way when the monitored values exceed the rated values it REFERENCES
displays it on the screen and at the same time alarm rings. [1] Amit Sachan Department of Energy & Power
The microcontroller is programmed in such a manner so as Engineering NIMS University, Jaipur, Rajasthan, ”GSM
to continuously scan the transformer and update the BASED SCADA MONITORING AND CONTROL
parameters at a particular time interval. SYSTEM SUBSTATION EQUIPMENT”, International
Since the input voltage to the microcontroller is 5V the Journal of Engineering Research & Technology (IJERT)
voltage and current from the transformer are step down and Vol. 1 Issue 5, July – 2012
rectified by voltage transformer (230/12V) and current [2] Vadirajacharya.K,Ashish Kharche, Harish Kulakarni,
Transformers, the temperature of the winding are sensed by Vivek Landage,” Transformer Health Condition
the temperature sensors (LM35). The ultra-sonic oil level Monitoring Through GSM Technology”, International
detector is used to detect the level of oil. These values are Journal of Scientific & Engineering Research Volume 3,
given as inputs to the microcontroller which as a built in Issue 12, December-2012.
ADC. Which converts the analog signal to digital to be [3] Dr. J. Jayakumar, J. Hephzibah Jose Queen, Thanu
compatible with microcontroller And when any of the above James, G. Hemalatha, Neethu Lonappan, ”Distribution
condition violate there is an alarm and corresponding fault Transformer Monitoring Using GPRS”, International
values are indicated on the display screen and message is Journal of Scientific & Engineering Research, Volume 4,
sent to corresponding mobile user about the fault condition. Issue 6, June-2013.
To interface the microcontroller with the GSM module as [4] PIC Microcontroller and Embedded Systems: Using
both work on different level. Microcontroller works on TTL Assembly and C for PIC18 by Muhammad Ali Mazidi,
logic and GSM works on RS232 logic.MAX232 is used Rolin McKinlay, Danny Causey.
which can interpret both the logic. It is a dual driver and [5] The 8051 Microcontroller & Embedded System, using
receiver. In between MAX232 and GSM module there is a assembly and C by Kenneth ayala, Dhananjay V. Gadre.
(DB9) socket.
By knowing about the fault value/condition the operator can
quickly repair the fault condition and avoid the catastrophic
failure. So to avoid damaged to the transformer. Even the
receiver can send the msg to the GSM asking about the
condition of different parameter and the GSM modem will
reply to the condition of the transformer through MSG as it
is a 2 way GSM modem.
This way to sending and receiving message based
communication is easy and fast and is even reliable .It is
also cost effective compared to other methods of online
monitoring of transformer. As transformer is the most costly
equipment of the power system so its online conditioning
monitoring is very important in order to avoid large
catastrophic failure and also to avoid large expenses that can
be caused by replacing of the transformer.

VI. CONCLUSION
We have design a circuit for online monitoring the condition
of transformer. The instrument value taken in the circuit is
calculated on theory basis and may differ sighlty when
implemented on the hardware. In the circuit diagram the
microcontroller will receive the input analog signals and
will convert into digital signals in the micontroller and the

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