© 2019 JETIR March 2019, Volume 6, Issue 3 www.jetir.

org (ISSN-2349-5162)

A Paper on Underground Cable Fault

Detector
Jitesh Kumar
Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering
Faculty of Engineering, Teerthanker Mahaveer University, Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh, India

ABSTRACT: Most of the worldwide run on the low voltage and medium voltage distribution lines underground
cables from many decades cables were used. To deduce the sensitivity of distribution networks which cause
environment influences high voltage underground cables are used more and more. This paper suggests model for
underground power cable fault position using microcontroller. The purpose of this project is to determine the
distance in kilometers between underground cable fault and base station. This project uses the simple notion of the
law of ohm. If any short circuit-like fault occurs, the voltage drop can vary depending on the length of the cable
fault, because the current varies. Therefore, a series of resistors are used to reflect the cable and a dc voltage is fed
at one end, and the fault is identified by detecting the voltage shift using an analog to voltage converter and a
microcontroller is used to make the calculations required to show the fault distance on the LCD monitor.

KEYWORDS: Fault location, fault detection, location method, microcontroller, Underground cable.

INTRODUCTION
For several decades underground cables have been used for most of the worldwide regulated low
voltage and medium voltage distribution lines. Increasingly, subterranean high voltage cables are
being used to reduce the vulnerability of distribution networks to environmental impact. Because
of the advantages of underground communication, underground cables were commonly used in
power distribution networks, providing more coverage in bad weather than overhead lines, less
prone to damage by storms or lightning. It is cheaper for shorter distance, environmentally friendly
and low maintenance. But if any fault happens in the wire, then the fault is hard to find. And this
project is used for digitally detecting the location of the fault. The requirement to locate the
defective point in an underground cable is to promote faster repair, increase reliability of the
network and the failure period. The underground cable system is very useful for distribution,
especially in metropolitan cities, airport services, and defense.

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Faults in Cable
Fault in a cable is characterized as a physical condition that causes failure of a system, part, or
item in a necessary manner. This may occur due to any flaws, deficiencies or non-homogeneity,
or conductor breakdowns and insulation failures.
Power cable fault location techniques are used for precise pin pointing of fault locations in power
grid. The advantages of exact location of the fault are:
• Quick repair to revive the power system back.
• Boost usability and efficiency of the system;
• Raising running costs and save time in poor weather, noisy environment and difficult terrain
for the crew looking [1].
Types Of Faults In A Cable
A fault can be a bolted link, or within the fault association, some electrical resistance. The fault
can actually be in two categories:
• Fault on open circuit:
Open circuit fault happens when the conducting path of a cable has a break. Such kinds of
faults are comparatively stronger short circuit faults because the current flows through the
cable becomes zero when these faults occur. Megger can detect the open-circuit fault by
measuring the resistance between each conductor and the earth [2].
• Fault with short circuit:
An odd relation of comparatively low electrical resistance between two points of varying
potential, whether accidentally or intentionally produced. When two multi-core cable
conductors come into electrical contact with each other due to an insulation failure, it is
therefore referred to as a short-circuit fault [3].
Classification of Faults Found In Cables
1. Open circuit: Open circuit faults are better than short circuit fault, because when the fault
happens current flows through the cable becomes zero. This type of fault is triggered by
path break. Such faults occur when one or more phase conductors break [5].
2. Short circuit failure: Further short circuit failure can be divided into two types:
(A) Symmetrical Fault: Three-phase Fault is called Symmetrical Fault. Short-circuited in all three
phases.
(B) Unsymmetrical fault: In this fault current magnitude is not equal to 120 degrees displaced.
Fault Location Method
Methods for identifying faults can be listed as:

1. Online system: This system uses & processes measured voltages and current to assess the
defect points. Online method for underground cables is less than overhead lines.

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2. Offline method: Special instrument is used in this system to test cable service in field.
There are two offline methods as follows:
Tracer method: Fault point is identified in this system by walking on the cable lines. Fault point is
indicated by an audible signal or by an electromagnetic signal.
Example: (1) Current process tracing
(2) Coil Sheath Process
COMPONENTS USED
GSM Module
Most of the worldwide Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) schemes are introduced with Dedicated
Short Range Communication Technology. The idea of the proposed system is automatic toll tax
payment, and the amount of transaction information is transmitted via GSM modem technology to
the motorists' mobile phones.
It's a groundbreaking technology for automated toll collection system on the expressway network.
The frame formulates and operating flow of the system is defined in this paper and data information
is also easily shared between the motorists and toll authorities. By reducing traffic and removing
potential human errors it is more efficient and the automated toll collection system [4].
Block Diagram
The project makes use of the simple concept of OHMs law where a low DC voltage is applied
through a series resistor at the feeder end. The current will differ depending on the duration of the
cable's fault in case of an LL or 3L or LG short circuit etc. The voltage drop of the series resistor
changes accordingly, which is then fed to an ADC to produce precise digital data which the
programmed microcontroller will show the same in kilo meters. The project is installed with a set
of resistors representing cable length in KMs and a set of switches is created at each known KM
to test the accuracy of the same.
Using microcontroller this is proposed model of underground cable fault distance locator. This is
divided into four parts – part of the DC power supply, part of the cable, part of the monitor, part
of the display. DC power supply component consisting of 230v ac supply is stepdown using
transformer, bridge rectifier converts ac signal to dc and controller is used to produce constant dc
voltage. The cable portion is denoted by resistor set along with switches. The current sensing
component of the cable depicted as a set of resistors & switches is used as fault creators to indicate
the fault at each position.

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Next is controlling component consisting of analog to digital converter receiving input from the
current sensing circuit, translating this voltage into digital signal and feeding the signal to the
microcontroller? The microcontroller also forms part of the controlling unit and makes calculations
concerning the distance of the fault possible. The microcontroller also drives a relay driver which
in turn controls the switching of a set of relays at each phase for proper cable connection. The
display part consists of the interfaced LCD display to the microcontroller which shows the cable
status of each phase and the cable distance at the particular phase, if any fault occurs.
Design Overview
Complete blue print of the planned project is a block diagram. Within a single block diagram the
overall meaning and function of the project is represented. It portrays the pictorial representation
of a project's working method. Block diagram is something that's offering a project summary. The
block diagram is composed of the following elements:
 3 POWER SUPPLIES
 MICRO CONTROLLER
 GSM MODEM
 GPS MODULE
 LCD
 KEYPAD
Micro Controller
The AT89S52 it absorbs, high performance, low-power. It is an 8‐bit CMOS microcontroller with
programmable Flash memory bytes of 8K. The system is manufactured using the high-density,
non-volatile memory technology from Atmel and is compatible with the 80C51 instruction set and
pin-out. The Flash on-chip allows reprogramming of the application memory in the device or
traditional non-volatile memory programmer. It will combine a flexible 8-bit CPU on a monolithic
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chip, the Atmel AT89S52 is a powerful microcontroller inside a system-programmable Flash. In

many embedded control applications, it is a highly scalable and cost-effective solution [5].
GSM
GSM is the acronym for Global Mobile Communications System, which was initially created by
Group Special Mobile, a standard developed by the European Telecommunications Standards
Institute. Mobile phones used protocols for second-generation wireless cellular networks. GSM
supports data transfer and voice calls. The GSM speeds up to 9.6 kbps, as well as with SMS
transmission. GSM uses a multiple access time division (TDMA). It is the most commonly used
of the three TDMA, GSM, and CDMA digital wireless telephony technologies. GSM digitizes and
compresses data, then sends a channel with two additional consumer data sources, each in its own
time slot. GSM will also work with other technologies; this is a part of the development of modern
wireless telecommunications. This also includes HSCSD), GPRS (Enhanced Data GSM
Environment), and UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications Service). It is a narrow band
method using TDMA; it is 30 kHz long and within the range 6.7 Milliseconds wide. It split up
time-wise into three time slots.
Narrow band means channels for one-third of the time every conversation receives the radio. This
is possible due to the voice data translated into digital content, which is compressed to take up
considerably less room for transmission. Finally the TDMA has the capacity of an analog system
which uses the same number of channels three times. TDMA is the GSM module’s principal access
process. GSM systems have a range of useful features: using encryption to make network
telephone calls more secure, data networking, SMS (Short Message Service) for text messages and
paging, call forwarding, call ID, call waiting and multi-party meeting [6].
SIM 300
This is a GSM modem plug and play with a simple serial interface to interface. It is used by PIC
microcontrollers and computers to send SMS, make and receive calls, and perform other GSM
operations by controlling it via simple AT commands. For its operations it uses the common
module SIM300. It comes with a basic RS232 interface which can be used to conveniently connect
microcontrollers and computers with the GSM modem. The modem consists of all the external
circuits required to start experiments with the SIM 300 module, such as power control, external
antenna, SIM holder, etc.
Voltage Regulator
A voltage regulator is an electric controller designed to maintain a constant voltage level
automatically. A 5V and 12V power supply are required in this project. The 7805 and 7812 voltage
regulators are to be used to obtain these voltage levels. First number 78 represents a positive supply
and the 05, 12 numbers reflect the appropriate voltage output levels. The L78xx series of three-
terminal positive controllers Electronic voltage regulators are used in devices such as computer
power supplies where the DC voltages used by the processor and other components are stabilized.
Voltage regulators control the plant’s output in automobile alternators and central power station
generator plants. Voltage regulators may be mounted in an electrical grid at a substation or along
distribution lines so that all consumers receive steady voltage irrespective of how much power is
drawn from the pole [7].
Relay
Relay is a sensing system that detects the fault and sends the circuit breaker a trip signal to isolate
the defective portion. A relay is an electronic system that indirectly regulates an electrical circuit
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& is controlled by a change in the same or another electrical circuit. There are different types of
relay: numerical relay, electromagnetic relay & static relay. Relay in the control room is housed in
a stand.
Power Supply
The power supply circuit consists of a step-down transformer that is 230v step down to 12v.
4diodes are used in this circuit to form a bridge rectifier that delivers pulsating dc voltage and then
fed to the condenser to filter the rectifier output voltage to filter to remove any motion. Also after
rectification there are components present. The filtered DC voltage is supplied to the regulator to
produce constant DC voltage of 12v.
CONCLUSION
The hardware model of Underground Cable Fault Locator is implemented and favorable results
were brought forward. This hardware model can locate the exact fault location in an underground
cable. Furthermore, this project can be improved by using a condenser in an AC circuit to test the
impedance and can also locate the open circuited cable, unlike the short circuit failure using only
DC circuit resistors as follows in the project suggested above. This includes aesthetics, higher
public acceptance, and perceived benefits of protection against electromagnetic field radiation
(which is still present in underground lines), fewer interruptions, and lower maintenance costs.
Failure rates of overhead lines and underground cables vary widely, but typically underground
cable outage rates are about half of their equivalent overhead line types.
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