DETECTION OF UNDERGROUND CABLE FAULT USING

ARDUINO AND GSM

Underground cables are used for power applications where it is impractical,

difficult or dangerous to use the overhead lines. They are widely used in densely
populated urban areas, in factories and even to supply power from the overhead
posts to the consumer premises. Underground cables have several advantages
over the overhead lines such as they have smaller voltage drops, low chances of
developing faults and have low maintenance costs.

Cables are generally laid directly in the ground or in ducts in the

underground distribution system. For this reason, there are little chances of faults
in underground cables. However, if a fault does occur, it is difficult to locate the
exact fault location and repair the fault because the conductors are not visible.

With this proposed work the exact location of the unsymmetrical

faults can be detected using arduino and GSM. The project uses classic concept of
ohm’s law i.e. when a low dc voltage is applied at the end of feeder through series
resistors (cable lines) then the current will vary depending on the location of the
fault. Fault location is displayed in the LCD display with the help of arduino and
the message of fault location is sent to the mobile using GSM.