UNIVERSITY OF CAGAYAN VALLEY Doc.

Code: COE-F010
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IOT BASED FEEDER PROTECTION FROM OVERLOAD AND EARTH FAULT

PROPONENTS
GABRIEL T. GARCIA

DECEMBER 2024

IN FULFILLMENT WITH THE FINAL REQUIREMENT OF ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS AND ILUMINATION

ENGINEERING DESIGN
 UNIVERSITY OF CAGAYAN VALLEY Doc. Code: COE-F010
Victor Ventura Perez (VVP) Campus, Balzain, Centro 12, Tuguegarao City
(078) 844-8978- (FAX) (078) 844-0086- (FAX) Revision No: 01

Main Campus, College Avenue, Centro 8, Tuguegarao City (078) Revision

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Introduction

Overload and short circuit failures are examples of temporary problems that can affect these circuits
horizontally. Disabling the line until a technician can physically close the breaker or replace the blown fuse is the
result of a transient event that opens the breaker contacts or gusts the conservative circuit breaker or fuse.
However, in this study a pre-programmed overload protection mechanism will try several times to either restore
the line to health or reinforce it. The Internet-supported technology of Arduino has revolutionized the PC and
online pastures in the modern era.

This way, we can include the evolution of IoT technology into the grid. A distribution network's
improved programmed over-burden safeguard mechanism locks the breaker once it has been unlocked due
to a failure, without the need for human intervention. Most of the time, these networks are vulnerable to
temporary issues like overloads and short circuits. Any malfunction in a conventional circuit will cause the
breaker to open or the fuse to blow. This stops the line from turning over, allowing a technician to either
manually replace the blown fuse or turn on the electrical switch, also known as the breaker.

I. Concept and Exploration Phase

 Goal- to ensure reliable, efficient and safe power distribution. This is achieved through real-
time monitoring, accurate fault detection, automated protection and predictive maintenance. By
leveraging IoT technologies, utilities can minimize power outages, reduce energy losses, and
prevent electrical accidents.

 Activities- designing and developing machine learning-based fault detection algorithms,

conducting hardware-in-the-loop testing, deploying IoT devices and sensors, integrating with
existing SCADA systems, monitoring feeder performance in real-time, analyzing fault detection
data, scheduling predictive maintenance, updating firmware/software, and conducting regular
security audits.

 Output- real-time alerts, automated circuit breaker tripping, energy consumption analytics, fault
detection accuracy reports, response time analysis, and visual dashboards.

II. Requirement Analysis

 Safety Requirements
1. Electrical Safety
 IEEE 1584: Arc Flash Protection
 NFPA 70: National Electric Code
 NFPA 70E: Electrical Safety in the Workplace
 IEC 60664: Electrical Insulation
 IEEE C37.20.7: Electrical Safety for Relay Systems
 UNIVERSITY OF CAGAYAN VALLEY Doc. Code: COE-F010
Victor Ventura Perez (VVP) Campus, Balzain, Centro 12, Tuguegarao City
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2. Personnel Safety
 Training
-Provide regular training for operators.
 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
-Ensure proper usage.
 Lockout/Tagout (LOTO)
-Comply with OSHA 1910.147.
 Emergency Response Plan
-Establish procedures.

 Performance and Operational Requirements

 Real-time Monitoring
-Continuous monitoring of feeder parameters
 Automated Fault Clearance
- Automatic tripping of circuit breakers
 Remote Monitoring
-Accessible through web/mobile interfaces
 Alarm and Notification
- Priority-based alerts via SMS/email
 Data Logging
- Store historical data for analytics
 Scalability
-Support large-scale feeder networks
 Interoperability
- Integrate with existing SCADA systems

 Output - ensures precise identification of functional, performance, security and operational

needs. This analysis prevents errors, reduces costs, enhances reliability, scalability and
maintainability, and optimizes system performance.

III. System Design

 Activities
I. Hardware Design

 Selection of sensors (current, voltage, temperature).

 Design of data acquisition systems.
 Development of communication infrastructure (wireless/wired).

II. Software Design

 UNIVERSITY OF CAGAYAN VALLEY Doc. Code: COE-F010
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 Algorithm development for fault detection/classification.
 Design of real-time monitoring and analytics platforms.
 Implementation of machine learning-based predictive models.

III. System Integration

 Integration with existing SCADA systems.
 Development of user interfaces (dashboards, mobile apps).
 Testing and validation.

IV. Security Measures

 Implementation of encryption and access control.

 Secure communication protocols (TLS/SSL).
 Regular security audits.

 Output- fault detection algorithms, data analytics platforms, real-time monitoring dashboards,
mobile apps, and API integrations with existing SCADA systems.

IV. Implementation Phase

 Activities
1. System Design and Planning
 Define system requirements and protection parameters (overload, earth fault).
 Select appropriate IoT sensors (current, voltage, and earth leakage sensors).
 Choose microcontroller/processor for data processing.
 Identify communication protocols for data transmission.

2. Hardware Setup:
 Install sensors on feeder lines to monitor current, voltage, and earth leakage.
 Integrate microcontroller/processor to collect and process sensor data.
 Set up communication modules for real-time data transmission to the cloud or control center.

3. Software Development:
 Develop algorithms for overload and earth fault detection.
 Design software for real-time monitoring and fault analysis.
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 Implement cloud-based data storage and analysis platform.

4. Fault Detection Logic:

 Implement fault detection logic for overload and earth faults in the microcontroller.
 Define thresholds and triggers for activating protective measures (e.g., circuit breaker).

5. Integration with Protection Devices:

 Integrate the system with circuit breakers or other protection devices for automatic
disconnection.
 Ensure seamless communication between the IoT system and protection devices.

6. Cloud Integration:
 Develop a cloud-based dashboard for real-time monitoring and alerts.
 Set up notification systems to alert operators about faults, overloads, or system status.
 Testing and Calibration:
 Perform functional testing of sensors, microcontroller, and communication systems.
 Calibrate sensors and test the fault detection algorithms in real-world conditions.
 Verify that the protection devices operate correctly during fault conditions.

7. System Optimization:
 Optimize the data processing and transmission to minimize latency and data loss.
 Ensure the system can handle large amounts of data efficiently.

 Output - The IoT system successfully detects overloads and earth faults in the feeder lines and
triggers the appropriate protection mechanisms, such as disconnecting the faulty section
through circuit breakers or relays.

V. Verification and Validation Phase

 Activities
1. Component Verification
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 Sensors
-Verify that current, voltage, and earth leakage sensors are correctly calibrated and provide
accurate readings under normal and fault conditions.

 Microcontroller/Processor
-Ensure the microcontroller processes the data accurately and operates reliably in various
environmental conditions.

 Communication Modules
-Test communication modules (e.g., Wi-Fi, LoRa, Zigbee) to ensure they transmit data without
loss or delay under different network conditions.

2. System Integration Testing

 Hardware-Software Integration
-Verify that all components (sensors, microcontroller, communication modules work together
seamlessly.

 Communication and Data Flow

-Test data transmission from sensors to the microcontroller and from the microcontroller to
the cloud/server, ensuring data integrity and real-time processing.

 Protection Mechanism Functionality

-Confirm that protection devices (e.g., circuit breakers) are correctly activated in case of
overload or earth fault detection.

3. Fault Detection and Response Testing

 Overload Simulation
- Simulate overload conditions to verify the system detects excessive current and triggers
the protection mechanism.
 Earth Fault Simulation
-Simulate earth fault conditions (e.g., leakage currents) to check the system’s ability to
detect and respond to faults appropriately.
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 False Alarm Prevention
-Ensure that the system does not trigger false alarms during normal operation or minor
fluctuations.

4. Real-World Scenario Testing

 Environmental Stress Testing

-Test the system under varying environmental conditions such as temperature changes,
humidity, and electromagnetic interference to ensure reliability.
 Network Reliability
-Assess the performance of the IoT communication network in different conditions, such as
low signal strength or network congestion.
5. Performance Evaluation:

 Latency and Response Time

-Measure the time taken from fault detection to protection activation, ensuring it falls within
the required safety thresholds.
 Data Accuracy
-Validate the accuracy of the data provided by the sensors in comparison to known
reference values.
6. System Load Testing

 Scalability
-Test the system’s ability to handle an increasing number of feeders or devices and
manage large amounts of data without degradation in performance.
 Data Handling
-Verify that the cloud-based platform or central server can process and store the incoming
data without errors or slowdowns.

7. User Interface Testing

 Operator Dashboard
-Test the functionality of the user interface, ensuring that operators can view real-time
data, receive alerts, and interact with the system effectively.
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 Alert and Notification Systems
-Verify that notifications for fault conditions, overloads, and maintenance alerts are
triggered accurately and promptly.

8. Compliance and Standards Verification

 Ensure the system complies with relevant industry standards and safety regulations, such
as IEC standards for protection systems, IoT communication protocols, and cybersecurity
best practices.
9. End-to-End Testing
 Perform end-to-end testing to validate the entire system, from data collection by sensors to
fault detection, protection activation, and remote monitoring, ensuring it works as intended
under all expected conditions.
 Output - By completing the validation and verification phase, the system is confirmed to meet
the design requirements and will perform reliably, accurately, and securely under real-world
conditions.

VI. Deployment and Operation Phase

 Activities
1. . Installation of IoT-Based Protection Devices
 Feeder Protection Units: Install IoT-enabled protection devices at various points in the feeder
network. These devices typically include current transformers (CTs), voltage sensors, earth
fault sensors, and intelligent protection relays.
 Smart Meters and Sensors: Install smart meters capable of real-time data collection, such as
current, voltage, and impedance. These meters will be able to detect overloads and earth
faults by monitoring parameters like current flow and earth leakage.
 Communication Infrastructure: Establish communication protocols (e.g., Wi-Fi, LoRa, NB-IoT)
for data transmission from the protection devices to a central cloud-based platform or local
control system.
2. Configuration and Calibration
 System Configuration: Configure the protection system’s settings, including overload
thresholds, earth fault protection parameters, time delay settings, and communication settings.
 UNIVERSITY OF CAGAYAN VALLEY Doc. Code: COE-F010
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 Calibration: Calibrate sensors (current, voltage, earth fault) to ensure accurate readings.
Calibration ensures that the protection system responds appropriately to overloads or earth
faults at the right thresholds.
 Edge Computing Setup: Install edge devices that can process the real-time data and take
action locally (such as triggering an alarm or disconnecting the feeder) when an overload or
earth fault is detected, reducing the response time.
3. Cloud Integration and Data Monitoring
 Cloud Platform Integration
-Integrate the feeder protection devices with a cloud platform for remote monitoring, data
logging, and advanced analytics. The cloud-based system should provide real-time data
visualization and alerts.
 Data Analytics
-Implement analytics to detect abnormal trends, anticipate potential faults, and optimize the
performance of the system. Machine learning algorithms can be used to predict failures or
anomalies based on historical data.

 Dashboards for Monitoring

-Set up user-friendly dashboards that display the health of the network, including real-time
voltage, current, and fault status. These dashboards provide operators with comprehensive
insights into the network’s condition.
4. Overload and Earth Fault Detection and Protection
 Overload Protection
-Define overload protection limits for each feeder. The system should detect when the current
exceeds the predefined limit and trigger actions such as tripping the circuit breaker or sending
an alert to operators.
 Earth Fault Protection
-Set parameters for detecting earth faults, including leakage current thresholds. Upon
detection of an earth fault (such as a short circuit to ground), the system will automatically
disconnect the affected feeder or part of the network to prevent further damage or hazards.
 Coordination with Protection Relays
-Ensure the IoT-based protection system is synchronized with the existing protection relays to
provide coordinated protection. This coordination prevents unwanted trips and minimizes
system downtime.
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5. Testing and Commissioning
 Testing the System
-Before going live, thoroughly test the entire IoT-based protection system, including the
sensors, protection relays, communication infrastructure, and cloud platform. Simulate
overload and earth fault conditions to ensure that the system responds as expected.
 Operational Testing
-Conduct a series of operational tests to ensure that the system can handle real-world
scenarios, including fault conditions, varying load conditions, and communication delays.
 Adjustments and Optimizations
-Based on the results of the testing phase, adjust the settings and thresholds for overload and
earth fault detection. Fine-tune the protection relay settings and communication protocols to
ensure optimal performance.

6. Deployment and System Go-Live

 System Activation
-After successful testing, the system is activated and begins functioning as the primary
protection mechanism for the feeders.
 Monitoring and Control
-Operators will monitor the system continuously from the central control center or via mobile
apps. The system should provide real-time feedback and alerts in case of overloads or earth
faults.
 Emergency Protocols
-Establish protocols for operators to follow in case of detected overloads or faults, including
automatic shutdown, notifications, and safety measures.
7. Ongoing Maintenance and Support
 Routine Inspections
-Regularly inspect and maintain the IoT-based protection system, including checking sensor
calibration, communication links, and the health of the system’s hardware.
 Software Updates
-Periodically update the firmware and software running on the IoT devices, protection relays,
and cloud platforms to improve performance, add new features, or address security
vulnerabilities.
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 Fault Monitoring and Diagnostics
-Continuously monitor the system’s health and provide diagnostics in case of malfunctioning
components, ensuring that the system remains in peak operational condition.
 Data Logging and Reporting
-Maintain detailed logs of all system activities, faults, and interventions. These logs help in
analyzing past incidents and planning future upgrades.
8. Optimization and Scaling
 Performance Evaluation
-Analyze the performance of the system and make any necessary adjustments to improve
detection sensitivity, reduce false alarms, or optimize response times.

 Scalability
-As the network grows, ensure the system can scale by adding more protection devices,
expanding communication infrastructure and adjusting the cloud system for more data traffic.
 Predictive Maintenance
-Use the data collected to perform predictive maintenance, identifying trends that suggest
potential failures in components (e.g., sensors, relays) before they occur, minimizing
unplanned downtime.
9. Feedback and Continuous Improvement
 Operator Feedback
-Collect feedback from system operators and maintenance teams to identify areas of
improvement.
 Upgrades and Innovations
- Incorporate new technological innovations in IoT, cloud computing, and machine learning to
enhance the system’s functionality and ensure that it continues to meet the needs of the grid.

 Output- installation, configuration, and commissioning of smart protection devices to safeguard

the electrical network from overloads and earth faults.

VII. Decommissioning Phase

 Activities
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1. System Shutdown and Data Backup

 The first step is to shut down the entire IoT-based protection system, including the sensors,
smart meters, protection relays, and communication infrastructure.
 All critical operational data, logs, and historical information from the cloud platform or local
databases are securely backed up for future reference, regulatory compliance, or system
analysis.

 Disconnection of Communication Networks

 :Communication links between the IoT devices and the cloud platform are carefully
disconnected to ensure that no data is transmitted during the decommissioning process.
 The deactivated communication infrastructure, such as cellular networks, Wi-Fi, or other
transmission technologies, is properly deactivated.
2. Removal of IoT Devices:
 Physical components, such as smart meters, sensors (current transformers, voltage sensors),
protection relays, and edge computing devices, are safely removed from the electrical feeders.
 These devices may be relocated for reuse in other areas of the grid or safely disposed of,
following applicable environmental and safety regulations.
3. Final System Checks and Documentation:
 A final review is conducted to ensure that all components of the IoT-based protection system
have been properly decommissioned.
 Necessary reports and documentation, including a record of the decommissioning process,
removal of hardware, and data retention, are generated and stored for future reference.
4. Compliance with Safety and Environmental Standards:
 The decommissioning process follows industry safety protocols and environmental
regulations to ensure proper disposal of electronic waste and components, minimizing
environmental impact.
 Any hazardous materials or components are disposed of according to legal guidelines.
5. Transition to New System or Manual Operations:
 UNIVERSITY OF CAGAYAN VALLEY Doc. Code: COE-F010
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 If the IoT-based protection system is being replaced with a new solution, the transition is
carefully managed to avoid system downtime.
 If the system is being permanently decommissioned, manual operations or alternative
protection systems may be implemented to maintain feeder safety.
 Output- The entire IoT-based protection system, including sensors, smart meters, protection
relays and communication infrastructure, is securely deactivated to prevent further operation
and ensure no disruptions to the electrical grid.