Chapter 3

Methodology

The researchers began to study and research the project design where it went with specific

trials and preparing on how the project design was made conceivable. The researcher will use

the method of collecting data through the use of collecting important and useful data for the

study since it aims to improve and prove facts connected to the research.

Through this method, information can be gathered on a systematic basis in order to

increase the knowledge of the researcher. To be able to support theorems, or develop new

theories from the perceptions and suggestions of the respondents that will be a great

contribution to the study.

The researchers will gather information about the related designs of the prototype from

the different people who have knowledge on the actual prototype. Researchers will make an

interview to ask some questions about the different materials, equipment to be used and right

ideas to be gathered. This will help for the research and development of methods and systems

for the advancement of researchers' knowledge.

The consultation will be conducted to extract some data about the possible design of the

proposed project. People that are well known will also ask regarding for their ideas and opinions

for the said study. Secondary data will be obtained from chosen articles and related literature

from books, journals, and internet. Local studies will be gathered from colleges and universities.

Foreign studies will be gathered internationally through the use of the internet.

3.1 General design of the system

 As previously stated, a three-phase system can be analyzed by detecting and locating the

magnetic field intensities through utilization of current sensors. In order to better understand

how the electrical fault detector will operate and be used for detecting a fault in a transmission

line, a basic fault detection process flowchart and block diagram of the electrical fault detector

is presented here.

The magnetic field which is recognized by the current sensors will change in view of the

design of the conductors. Since the magnetic field-based fault detector ought to have the

capacity to be utilized as a part of an assortment of circumstances, it is basic to pick up a

comprehension of its performance for a few conductor configurations.

3.2 Project Overview

The project is about developing and prototyping an Electrical Fault Detector system

which detects transmission line faults in real-time monitoring that detects and locates faults and

sends an information of detected fault, type of fault, location of fault occurred and time of fault

occurrence in a mobile device. The power supply of the system is a three-phase 230V AC

power.

Current Sensors detects the magnetic field around the three phase conductors. The supply

of the interconnected circuits inside the system is transformed into 12V DC low voltage supply

by a step-down transformer connected to the three phase supply. A Battery Management System
(BMS) is included in the design of the system for backup power supply when power in the

transmission line is out in the event of fault occurrence.

In connection with the BMS, a Li-ion Battery 3s/20mah is needed for the storage of the

stored power. The BMS and the battery are connected into a Voltage Regulator. This is to

regulate the power source that the interconnected circuits needed. The voltage regulator

regulates the supply voltage flowing through Relay Driver of relays for the transmission line.

This is also used to protect the whole system to a sudden change in voltage in the transmission

line which the system is connected into.

The current sensor senses the flowing current in the transmission line and sends the

acquired measurements in the processor. The PIC18F4550 is the Main Control Unit of the

system. It processes the components in the system into their respective functions in the

operation of the electrical fault detector. An Analog to Digital Converter (ADC) ports is used

in the system.

The ADC turns the analog reading of current sensors into a digital value. This digital

value is processed by the Main Control Unit. A 3x4 keypad and 3x4 keypad driver are used to

set and control the input parameters in the system and display an output of the processed

parameters into the 4x20 LCD Display.

Real Time Clock (RTC) module is installed for recording real-time operation and

detection of faults. Global System for Mobile communication (GSM) is a digital mobile

telephony used for the detector to communicate to the operator of the fault detector. It sends the

acquired data like a type of fault, location of fault and time of fault occurrence in a mobile

device of the operator.

 Global Positioning System (GPS) a space-based navigation system that provides location

and time information in the condition of the electrical fault detector is used to locate the position

of the fault.

Buzzer and Light Emitting Diode (LED) indicator are used for indicating the state of the

device while it’s operating.

3.3 Descriptive Definition of the Prototype

This Electrical Fault Detector is a kind of device that detects and locates a fault event in

the transmission lines. For power source its consist a Three Phase 230V AC supply, Main

Switch, Step-Down Transformer, Battery Management System (BMS), Li-ion Battery

3s/20mah and a Voltage Regulator. For Fault Detection, it uses Relay Driver, Relays for

transmission lines and Current Sensors. An ADC Ports, Voltage Divider, 3x4 keypad Driver

and a 3x4 keypad for the input parameters.

RTC Module, GSM Module, and GPS Module are used for the real-time fault detection

and location. 4x20 LCD Display, Buzzer and LED Indicator are used for indicating the state of

the device. PIC18F4550 Microcontroller is the main control unit of the all input and output

components of the device. It tends to detect abnormalities in terms of current in a conductor

with the use of a microcontroller.

Fault detectors like Remote Controlled Line Switch have a master station to where it

sends its information. This device functions in two ways, it can be interfaced in a master station

and it is upgraded to a device that can be used by a roaming operator by utilizing a mobile

phone. An additional upgrade is that it can select a recipient from multiple selections by the

function of an input component for the input parameters.

3.4 Fault Detection Process Flow Chart

Figure 3.4 Fault detection process flow chart

3.5 Block Diagram

 Figure 3.5 Block diagram

The fault detection flowchart shows a process flowchart of electrical fault detector for

detecting faults in the transmission lines. The first operation that the device would perform is

monitoring of transmission lines. Monitoring of transmission lines consists of voltage

measurement and current measurement. After monitoring the voltage and current values, the

current sensor will detect sudden changes in the magnetic field present in the flow of current in
a conductor. A high current is suddenly produced when a fault has occurred. Any abnormality

in the flow of current in a conductor is considered as a fault.

3.6 Project development system flow

To achieve project objective time management is to be taken care of seriously from the

very beginning. The first step is to project in several part or task that has to be performed. This

process should be completed before the implementation of the project. For the proposed project,

it is necessary to create a time plan be setting the objective and then subdividing them into the

manageable sequence with a deadline attached to it. The first step for the researcher is to

identify how to perform the specific schedule activity to be performed & time period needed to

complete that activity.

 The researcher must be aware of all the task need to be carried out to achieve the

objective. The amount of time each task will take to complete should also be estimated clearly.

The next step is to decide which work is most important and set the priorities accordingly.
3.7 Project development flow chart

Figure

3.7

General

flow

chart of

the study