A smart voltage and current monitoring system for three phase inverters using an android smartphone application

In this paper, a new smart voltage and current monitoring system (SVCMS) technique is proposed. It monitors a three phase electrical system using an Arduino platform as a microcontroller to read the voltage and current from sensors and then wirelessly send the measured data to monitor the results using a new Android application. The integrated SVCMS design uses an Arduino Nano V3.0 as the microcontroller to measure the results from three voltage and three current sensors and then send this data, after calculation, to the Android smartphone device of an end user using Bluetooth HC-05. The Arduino Nano V3.0 controller and Bluetooth HC-05 are a cheap microcontroller and wireless device, respectively. The new Android smartphone application that monitors the voltage and current measurements uses the open source MIT App Inventor 2 software. It allows for monitoring some elementary fundamental voltage power quality properties. An effort has been made to investigate what is possible using available off-the-shelf components and open source software

Vibroacoustic transformer condition monitoring

Throughout the life of a transformer the effects of mechanical shocks, insulation aging, thermal processes and short circuit forces will cause deformations in the winding. This deformation can lead to vibration in the transformer and mechanical fatigue of the solid insulation. Defects which form in a transformers structure can cause faults such as partial discharge, hot spots and arcing. These faults generate combustible gases which can be analysed for condition assessment of the transformer. The development of a suitable and cost effective vibration measurement system forms a key part of this research project. A monitoring system is developed for real-time vibration analysis. An embedded capacitive accelerometer is used in conjunction with an Arduino microcontroller to record vibrations. The sensor platform is designed to communicate wirelessly via XBee radios to a terminal computer. A software program and user interface is designed as a tool for analysis. The outcomes and benefits of these works are primarily based on determining the condition of transformer insulation through measurements of vibration. Following a working measurement system, suitable transformer sites are monitored. Spectral analysis is performed in the frequency domain to determine a correlation with gas analysis results. The validity of vibroacoustic measurement as a predictive maintenance tool is subsequently evaluated. Six transformers are chosen for vibration monitoring with analysis of the vibration signatures correlated to the dissolved gas analysis reports at each site. The vibration signatures at each location are analysed using the Short Time Fourier Transform and frequency peaks compared for the different sites. It was noted that sensor location does not have a large impact on vibration magnitudes and identifying the frequency components present in the signal. However, from the signatures obtained there is not enough variation in magnitude or frequency components to suggest that this method can identify the type of fault present

Redes autónomas e inteligentes para la monitorización de variables ambientales

El entendimiento de nuestro entorno, ya sea urbano o natural, es un tema de constante interés en la sociedad, tanto por razones de mejora de calidad de vida como preservación ecológica. En las últimas décadas, la tecnología ha sido la principal aliada para lograr este objetivo, siendo uno de los principales contribuyentes las redes de sensores inalámbricos, o WSN por sus siglas en inglés. No obstante, sigue existiendo una fuerte necesidad de monitorización en distintas temáticas, además que los avances tecnológicos recientes permiten profundizar en el conocimiento en algunas áreas de estudio. En este sentido, este trabajo pretende evaluar la tecnología de WSN reciente con el fin de diseñar y desarrollar sistemas que aporten soluciones a problemáticas reales. Por consiguiente, con el conocimiento obtenido a partir de lo anterior, se busca también contribuir a las WSN en un sentido científico literario. Dicho lo anterior, la presente tesis realiza aportaciones en dos campos: el tecnológico y el metodológico. Desde una perspectiva técnica, se presenta la implementación de un sistema autónomo para monitorización en viviendas y un sistema de monitorización no supervisado para zonas ecológicas marinas protegidas. El primero busca cubrir una necesidad de estimación del consumo energético-térmico de los sistemas de calefacción, con el cual poder gestionar de mejor manera este recurso. Para ello se desarrolló el prototipo de un nodo sensor WiFi de bajo consumo energético, capaz de sustentar su demanda de potencia con una etapa de energy harvesting termoeléctrico. Se utilizó este enfoque para poder ofrecer una solución intuitiva con poca interacción por parte de los usuarios. Con respecto al segundo, se pretende proveer una alternativa a los sistemas de monitorización de líneas costeras, donde se busca realizar análisis de corrientes marinas superficiales y variables físicas del entorno. Para este desarrollo fue necesario que el sistema pudiese ser desplegado de la manera más sencilla posible, minimizando el impacto en el entorno dada su clasificación como parque nacional protegido. Por estos motivos se diseñó, desarrolló e implementó una red de boyas de deriva asistida por dron, donde las primeras actuaban como nodos sensores y el dron ejercía como recolector de datos remoto, utilizando un protocolo de comunicaciones inalámbrico basado en la modulación LoRa.En tema de aportaciones metodológicas, se realizó una recopilación literaria de métricas para el análisis, selección y diseño de una WSN, con el afán de definir el impacto que estas presentan en dicha labor. Esto a su vez propició el desarrollo de una propuesta de metodología aplicable a nuevas implementaciones o sistemas activos con posibles mejoras. La metodología se realizó con el objetivo de proveer una serie de directrices claras al momento de diseñar una WSN, buscando también cubrir los aspectos más relevantes de estas mismas, es decir, la parte de hardware, red y requerimientos de una aplicación. Aunado a lo anterior, se ejemplifica el uso de dicha metodología, aplicada a tres escenarios tecnológicos distintos, para demostrar la relevancia de un diseño apropiado de una WSN.<br /

Design of a wireless monitoring system based on the ZigBee protocol for photovoltaic systems

This thesis was submitted for the degree of Master of Philosophy and awarded by Brunel University.This work deals with the possibility of using the promising technology of wireless sensor networks (WSN) in the field of photovoltaic (PV) plant supervising and monitoring. The knowledge of the status and good working condition of each PV module separately as well as of any component of the PV system will guide in a more efficient way of power management. This work will concentrate on monitoring and controlling as well as healthy operation control of PV panels separately. Data logging will be also available and can be used for reference or statistical purposes. The nature of wireless sensor networks (WSN) offers several advantages on monitoring and controlling applications over other traditional technologies including self-healing, self-organization, and flexibility. The versatility, ease of use, and reliability of a mesh network topology offered by the ZigBee technology that is based on the IEEE 802.15.4 standard, are used in this work to offer the maximum of its capabilities on the system being presented. A set of sensors attached on each PV panel are connected to a wireless ZigBee module. Each PV panel has its own ZigBee device located at its back side. All ZigBee devices forms a network with all the necessary devices of the ZigBee protocol included, such as end devises (RFD), a router (FFD), and a coordinator (COO). An extra ZigBee device might optionally be used to serve the whole system as an Ethernet gateway for making the system able to be connected to the internet. The factors that are being monitored are the panel‟s temperature, the output voltage, and output current. At the router device that operates as a parent for all the end devices, extra monitored factors are the air dust concentration, current irradiance and also the angle of the PV array (in the case of tracking system use).Two controlling outputs (relays) are located at the router device offering the capability of controlling the motors or the actuators of a tracking system

Design and Implementation of Wireless Smart Home Energy Management System Using Rule-Based Controller

Most residential units still rely on conventional energy supplied by utilities despite the continuous growth of renewable energy resources, such as solar and wind energy systems in power distribution networks. Utilities often use time-of-use energy pricing, which increases the interest of energy consumers, such as those in commercial and residential buildings, in reducing their energy usage. Thus, this work demonstrates the design and implementation of a home energy management (HEM) system that can automatically control home appliances to reduce daily energy and electricity bill. The system consists of multiple smart sockets that can read the power consumption of an attached appliance and actuate its on/off commands. It also consists of several other supporting instruments that provide information to the main controller. The smart sockets and supporting instruments in the system wirelessly provide the necessary data to a central controller. Then, the system analyzes the data gathered from these devices to generate control commands that operate the devices attached to the smart sockets. Control actions rely on a developed online rule-based HEM scheme. The rules of the algorithm are designed such that the lifestyle of the user is preserved while the energy consumption and daily energy cost of the controlled appliances are reduced. Experimental results show that the central controller can effectively receive data and control multiple devices from up to 18 m away without loss of data on the basis of a scheduled user program code. Moreover, online adaptation of the HEM scheme confirms significant reductions in the total daily energy consumption and daily electricity bill of 23.5 kWh and $2.898, respectively. Therefore, the proposed HEM system can be remarkably useful for home owners with high daily energy consumption

Wireless temperature sensing in hostile environments using a microcontroller powered by optical fiber

Uno de los mayores riegos del mundo industrial es el fallo de las maquinarias y aparatos que los forman. Un error, provocado por la causa que sea, puede tener consecuencias fatales, no solo para la empresa sino también para todo su entorno. Estas máquinas trabajan con altas cantidades de energía, por lo que su control y monitoreo disminuye los riesgos y asegura una mayor seguridad a la hora de trabajar con ellos. Un ejemplo de este tipo de máquinas son los transformadores. Estos dispositivos trabajan con circuitos eléctricos que intercambian altas cantidades de potencia para el funcionamiento y distribución eléctrica. Existen distintos parámetros a medir para poder monitorear el estado en que se encuentran estas máquinas, pero uno de los principales es la temperatura, y en ese se va a basar este proyecto. Controlar la temperatura de un transformador supone controlar el interior del mismo, y con ello asegurarse de que funciona correctamente, y que sigue en el periodo de su vida útil, ya que el envejecimiento y desgaste de esta puede llegar a generar graves consecuencias. La temperatura se va a medir utilizando un sensor de instrumentación. Para su diseño, la principal característica a tener en cuenta es la necesidad de que se adapte al entorno hostil que rodea a los transformadores. Es por ello que se va a utilizar un sensor de fibra óptica, inmune a las interferencias electromagnéticas y de radiofrecuencia, y garantizando un bajo coste. La información del sensor se va a obtener con un microprocesador, conectado en el punto de salida de señal del sensor. Este dispositivo va a obtener la data correspondiente y la va a transmitir al módulo de comunicación, encargado de emitir los resultados a la unidad de control. Como sistema de comunicación, se va a utilizar un protocolo inalámbrico. El protocolo ZigBee asegura una robustez y rápido start-up, así como un diseño simple y sencillo. Finalmente, la interfaz de ordenador se va a diseñar con el programa LabView. Va a tener la funcionalidad de punto de control, con la capacidad de activar el funcionamiento de la red sensorial, y su casi inmediato monitoreo. Eso es, que la interfaz estará diseñada para obtener la data emitida por el sensor, y analizarla, dándole al usuario la información correspondiente, casi en tiempo inmediato. Por lo que es posible conocer, casi al momento, la temperatura a la que se encuentra el sensor, por ende la temperatura en el transformador. En caso de requerir un sistema totalmente inmune a las interferencias electromagnéticas, la alimentación del sensor se podría hacer a través de la tecnología PoF (Power over Fiber). Utilizando un sistema ya diseñado e implementado de la universidad, se van a adaptar sus parámetros a los requerimientos del sistema para observar sus resultados, tanto teórica como experimentalmente. Este proyecto consiste en el diseño e implementación de todos los distintos componentes del sensor de temperatura, es decir, la fibra óptica y sus circuitos de adaptación, la programación del microprocesador, el establecimiento de la comunicación inalámbrica, y el diseño de la interfaz. Una vez implementado todo el sistema, se van a realizar distintas pruebas, donde se va a someter al sensor a bruscas variaciones de temperaturas para estudiar su respuesta. Y una vez comprobado que todo el sistema funciona correctamente, se va a sustituir la fuente de tensión, por la tecnología PoF, observando los resultados y su posible futura inclusión en el desarrollo de sensores.One of the greatest risks of the industrial area is the failure of the machines and devices composing in. Any mistake may have fatal consequences, not only for the industry but also for its environment. These machines work with high quantities of energy, so its control and monitoring decreases the risks and guarantees a greater security when working with them The transformers are an example of these machines. These devices work with electrical circuits exchanging great amounts of energy for the electrical distribution. There are different parameters that will enable the monitoring of the machine´s state, but one of the main ones is the temperature, and it is what this project will focus on. In order to control the temperature of the transformer, the sensor must be placed inside of it. This means one of the main characteristics of the designed sensor has to be its immunity to electromagnetic and radiofrequency interferences, this is why it the selected sensor uses optical fiber. The data acquisition is going to be done with a microprocessor, which will be connected to the sensor and programed to obtain the results and transmit them to communication module, which is set to emit them to the control unit. The communication is going to use a wireless protocol. The ZigBee protocol is going to provide roughness and fast commissioning, as well as a simple and nice design. The control unit is going to be designed with the LabView program. Its programming include the acquisition of the data received from the sensor and its analysis. This means it will take the results and give the user its equivalent temperature value, almost immediately to the response of the sensor. This way it is possible to know the temperature the sensor is at, hence the temperature of the transformer. In case of requiring a system totally immune to interferences, the system will have to be powered with a PoF technology. A PoF system already designed and implemented is going to be adapted to the system, and tested to read its response. The project consists on the design and implementation of the sensor temperature, and all its components, this is the optical fiber and its adaptation circuits, the microprocessor´s programming, the communication and the interface design. Once the whole system is implemented, different tests are going to be done where the sensor is going to be submitted to abrupt temperature variations and its response studied. Once checked the system is working correctly the power source will be replaced with the PoF, analyzing its results and future inclusion on the sensors development.Ingeniería Electrónica Industrial y Automátic

Energy Harvesting for Residential Microgrid Distributed Sensor Systems

Microgrids are localized, independent power grids that can operate while connected to the larger electrical grid. These systems make intelligent decisions regarding power management and use an array of components to monitor power generation, consumption, and environmental conditions. While this technology can save end users money, the complexity of installation and maintenance has limited the adoption of microgrids in residential spaces. To simplify this technology for end users, the next evolution of microgrid components includes sensors that are wireless and ambiently powered. Even with a microgrid installed, significant energy is wasted in residential spaces. To address this loss, energy harvesting circuits can be incorporated into microgrid sensors, enabling them to recapture otherwise wasted environmental energy. Light, heat, radio frequency (RF) energy, mechanical energy, and 60 Hz noise from power lines are all abundant in most residential spaces and can be harvested to power microgrid components. Equipping microgrid sensors with energy harvesters simplifies the end user experience by eliminating the need for cable routing. Implementing energy harvesting techniques results in a microgrid that is easier to deploy, cleaner, and requires less maintenance. Developing this type of sensor is not only feasible, but sensible and can be constructed using off-the-shelf components. My research led me to conclude that the most effective strategy for designing an energy harvesting sensor is to combine energy harvesting technologies with battery power. By delegating smaller loads away from the harvesting integrated circuit (IC), its full harvesting potential is utilized, maximizing energy collection for the power-hungry transmitter. Simultaneously, a small coin-cell battery can sustain the remaining components, ensuring over a decade of functionality. This thesis explores the feasibility and design of a hybrid battery and energy harvesting sensor. The developed system block diagram allows for the swapping of components within each block, catering to the varying needs of the end user. The system is data and energy-aware, allowing it to make intelligent decisions regarding data transmission and enable communication as reliable as that of a traditional wire-line powered sensor. The hybrid sensor module underwent testing with a small monocrystalline solar cell as its energy source, delivering consistent power throughout the testing period. It accumulated surplus energy in a super capacitor storage unit, ensuring the system’s reliable operation even at night when the energy source was not available. While the tests utilized a photovoltaic (PV) cell, the design accommodates any energy harvesting source that can generate a minimum of 40 µW of power

Implementation of Wireless Sensor Network for Monitoring and Protection of High Voltage Transformer

The paper proposes an innovative design to develop a system based on AVR microcontroller that is used for monitoring the voltage, current and temperature of a distribution transformer in a substation and to protect the system from the rise in mentioned parameters. Providing the protection to the distribution transformer can be accomplished by shutting down the entire unit with the aid of the Radio frequency Communication. Moreover the system displays the same on a PC at the main station which is at a remote place. Furthermore it is capable of recognizing the break downs caused due to overload, high temperature and over voltage

Investigation of Wireless LAN for IEC 61850 based Smart Distribution Substations

The IEC 61850 standard is receiving acceptance worldwide to deploy Ethernet Local Area Networks (LANs) for electrical substations in a smart grid environment. With the recent growth in wireless communication technologies, wireless Ethernet or Wireless LAN (WLAN), standardized in IEEE 802.11, is gaining interest in the power industry for substation automation applications, especially at the distribution level. Low Voltage (LV) / Medium Voltage (MV) distribution substations have comparatively low time-critical performance requirements. At the same time, expensive but high data-rate fiber-based Ethernet networks may not be a feasible solution for the MV/LV distribution network. Extensive work is carried out to assess wireless LAN technologies for various IEC 61850 based smart distribution substation applications: control and monitoring; automation and metering; and over-current protection. First, the investigation of wireless LANs for various smart distribution substation applications was initiated with radio noise-level measurements in total five (27.6 and 13.8 kV) substations owned by London Hydro and Hydro One in London, ON, Canada. The measured noise level from a spectrum analyzer was modeled using the Probability Distribution Function (PDF) tool in MATLAB, and parameters for these models in the 2.4 GHz band and 5.8 GHz band were obtained. Further, this measured noise models were used to simulate substation environment in OPNET (the industry-trusted communication networking simulation) tool. In addition, the efforts for developing dynamic models of WLAN-enabled IEC 61850 devices were initiated using Proto-C programming in OPNET tool. The IEC 61850 based devices, such as Protection and Control (P&C) Intelligent Electronic Devices (IEDs) and Merging Unit (MU) were developed based on the OSI-7 layer stack proposed in IEC 61850. The performance of various smart distribution substation applications was assessed in terms of average and maximum message transfer delays and throughput. The work was extended by developing hardware prototypes of WLAN enabled IEC 61850 devices in the R&D laboratory at University of Western Ontario, Canada. P&C IED, MU, Processing IED, and Echo IED were developed using industrial embedded computers over the QNX Real Time Operating System (RTOS) platform. The functions were developed using hard real-time multithreads, timers, and so on to communicate IEC 61850 application messages for analyzing WLAN performance in terms of Round Trip Time (RTT) and throughput. The laboratory was set up with WLAN-enabled IEC 61850 devices, a commercially available WLAN Access Point (AP), noise sources, and spectrum and network analyzers. Performance of various smart distribution substation applications is examined within the developed laboratory. Finally, the performance evaluation was carried out in real-world field testing at 13.8 and 27.6 kV distribution substations, by installing the devices in substation control room and switchyard. The RTT of IEC 61850 based messages and operating time of the overcurrent protection using WLAN based communication network were evaluated in the harsh environment of actual distribution substations. The important findings from the exhaustive investigation were discussed throughout this work