This paper presents a novel Arduino-based fault detection and protection system for power transformers. Power transformers are an integral component of the power system infrastructure. Power transformers are present in such a significant number in the power architecture that any alteration in its operation effects the whole power system. The optimal operation of the transformer depends upon its operating condition; for this reason, its monitoring and protection are very important. Currently, power transformers employ differential relays to ensure optimal operation, but differential relays are unable to ascertain conditions such as overloading and intra turn faults. In this paper, Arduino was used to monitor transformer operation instead of differential relays and generate tripping or alert signals based on sensed values. Arduino autonomously sensed the current, voltage, and temperature values of the power transformer round the clock and handled any fault by comparing preset values of these parameters. In addition, the differential relay functionality of fault detection was implemented in the Arduino environment. Whenever a fault occurred, Arduino sent the fault signal to a Wi-Fi module, which was then displayed in the Blynk app. The practical implementation of this proposed system was tested, and its operation was found to be effective in fault detection.
A moving window average method for internal fault detection of power transformers
