Fault Detection and Control in Power System
Equipments using Atmega 16
Shivangi Gupta#1, Srishti Khare#2, Utkarsh Mishra#3, Pranjal Pathak#4
Electrical and Electronics Department, Uttar Pradesh Technical University
Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.
1gptshivangi.28@gmail.com
2srishtikhare14@gmail.com
3zutkarsh2011@gmail.com
4pathak.pranjal@gmail.com
Abstract— This paper proposes methods for fault detection in
power system equipments which include overvoltage and over
current in transmission line. It also deals with fault detection in
transmission line using a camera and image acquisition
technique in matlab. There are partial arc discharges on faulty
insulators, transmission lines and transformers. By detecting the
spark images using a camera, the location of the faulty insulator
or any other equipment can be estimated.
I.
INTRODUCTION
Power transmission and distribution lines are the most
essential links in power system. Load centres are connected to
generating station via transmission lines. Since transmission
lines are essential for the continuity of supply, hence quick
fault detection and removal becomes prominent. The present
day digital methods for fault detection in transmission line
include Artificial Neural Network, Fuzzy logic, Fuzzy Neuro
and Fuzzy logic wavelet based. Microcontrollers being
electronic devices are highly reliable and accurate. Hence, if
proper research is done, these devices can be extensively used
in power system and will increase stability substantially.
During arc initiation in various equipments such as
insulators, transformers, transmission lines, etc., a spark is
produced which can be detected using a camera. This helps to
anticipate the fault and hence protects the system against any
severe damage.
II.
Overvoltage originated by lightning is a major cause of
flashovers on overhead powerlines.
In an electric power system, over current or excess
current is a situation where a larger than intended electric
current exists through a conductor, leading to excessive
generation of heat, and the risk of fire or damage to equipment.
Possible causes for over current include short circuits,
excessive load, and incorrect design.
OVERVOLTAGE AND OVERCURRENT
PROTECTION
The problem of lightning protection has been seriously
reconsidered in recent years due to the proliferation of
sensitive loads and the increasing demand by customers for
good quality in the power supply.
Fig 1. Measurement of overvoltage and over current in transmission line
A. Overvoltage Protection of Transmission Lines
The supply voltage which is 220 V is scaled down using a
Potential divider. The new voltage Vₒ= (R2/R1+R2) Vcc,
where R1=R2=47 K. This AC voltage is converted into DC
using a diode IN4007. The DC hence obtained is smoothened
using a capacitor of 10μF. This regenerated DC voltage which
is in a range of 0-5 V is fed to microcontroller which further
activates the relay and hence the faulty line is removed.
B. Overcurrent Protection of Transmission Lines
A current transformer is used to measure the over current.
The current is reduced to a lower value using a current divider.
The reduced AC current is converted into a smooth DC value
by using an IN4007 diode and a 10μF capacitor. This DC
current is fed to microcontroller which activates the relay.
III.
HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE SELECTION
A. Hardware / Components Used

ATMEGA 16 is a low power CMOS 8 bit high
performance microcontroller of Atmel’s Mega AVR
family.

A 5V DC Power supply is used to provide electrical
energy to all electronic components.

Transformer.

Bridge rectifiers which employ diodes IN4007 are
used for output smoothing.
A voltage regulator is used to produce a constant
linear output voltage. The regulators used are 7805
and 7812.
A capacitor filter.
LCD for display.
Relay




B. Softwares Used

IV.
OPERATIONAL DIAGRAM
The three parameters which the microcontroller controls are
voltage, current and sparking. Since the voltage input to the
microcontroller should be DC, so AC is converted using a
transformer, full bridge rectifier which uses IN4007 and
voltage regulators 78XX. The microcontroller activates the
relay after fault or spark is detected. On detection of spark the
location of fault can be detected.
Fig 3. Operational Block Diagram of the overall Fault Detection Scheme
V.
CONCLUSIONS
AVR Studio:
1. It is an integrated development environment
for writing and debugging AVR applications.
In order to improve the power system industry and the
2. It provides a project management tool, stability of transmission lines, new tools and algorithms are
source file editor and chip simulator.
needed to maintain system reliability and security within
acceptable levels. This paper is an attempt to propose the most
 MATLAB: In the proposed project MATLAB is used comprehensive set of references on the subject of recent
for spark detection.The name MATLAB stands for techniques in protection of power system equipments.
matrix laboratory.
In this paper, a new inspection system for high-voltage
1. It is a technical computing environment for insulators and transmission lines is proposed and
highly efficient numeric computation and demonstrated.
visualization.
Hence, the integration of the above mentioned hardware
2. It integrates numerical analysis, matrix and software makes the system more flexible and reliable.
computation, signal processing (via the
Signal Processing Toolbox), and graphics
into a user friendly environment where
VI.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
problems and solutions are expressed in
their mathematical form, without much
conventional programming.
It gives us a great sense of pleasure to present the report of
the B. Tech Project undertaken during B.tech. final year. We
owe special debt of gratitude to our supervisor Mrs. Akanksha
Image Acquisition Using MATLAB:
A sample image similar to that during the arc is generated Shukla, Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering,
using MATLAB image processing tool box. Thereafter a Galgotias College of Engineering & Technology for her
program is created using MATLAB which compares any constant support and guidance throughout the course of our
random image (i.e. spark produced by faulty equipment work. Her sincerity, thoroughness and perseverance have been
detected by camera) to the sample image. If the random image a constant source of inspiration for us. It is only her consistent
efforts and guidance that our endeavours have seen the light of
matches the sample sound then the fault is detected.
the day.
Isolation of Faulty Equipment
We express our deep sense of gratitude to Professor & Head
A program is created using MATLAB which detects any Dr. Prabhakar Tiwari, Department of EEE for his constant
disturbance and checks whether it is same as that during spark. official support, encouragement and motivation for our project
If yes then the microcontroller operates and clears the fault.
work.
We also do not like to miss the opportunity to acknowledge
the contribution of all faculty members and lab-Instructors of
the department for their kind assistance and cooperation
during the development of our project. Last but not the least,
we acknowledge our friends for their contribution in the
completion of the project.
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PAPER
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