Filed of the invention:
The present invention is related to an overhead Line Fault
Passage Indicator. More particularly the present invention
provides a device for overhead line fault passage indication
with remote communication capabilities comprising of a current
sensing device microcontroller.
Background of the invention:
Traditional methods of identifying faults on overhead power
distribution and transmission lines from involves patrolling the
whole line including all branches to identify the origination.
It also gives rise to inaccuracies in exact location, cause and
type of faults. It results in spending a lot of manpower and
resources, and still does not guarantee correct identification.
Most importantly, the traditional method does not allow power to
be restored for hours on the whole distribution channel due to a
minor fault at one of the points.
Due to various branches of the power distribution and
transmission lines the fault, once occurred, could have
originated from any branch at any point. Using the traditional
method one could be patrolling the lines repeatedly but still
not be able to find the exact location or any location at all.
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Apart from the location and the type of the fault, the magnitude
of fault is equally critical. By knowing the magnitude of the
fault current, the maintenance team can estimate the severity of
the fault and take a correct decision pertaining to the extent
of shutdown required.
Advantage of the Invention:
The present invention is capable of identifying the type,
magnitude, location and the passage of fault current which has
occurred on the line. It enables the distribution management
companies to identify all key parameters pertaining to the fault
helping in quicker identification and correct judgment of the
fault they are dealing with.
The present invention is also capable of sending information to
the control room / server about all parameters and location of
the faults through various communication channels like GPRS /
Ethernet / SMS via protocols such as RS485, MODBUS, IEC 60870-5-
101, IEC 60870-5-103, IEC 60870-5-104, IEC 61850, DNP3.0 and
many others.
Objectives of the invention
The main object of the invention is to develop a system whichis
capable of identifying the type, magnitude, location and the
passage of fault current which has occurred on the line.
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Another object of the inventionis to develop a system enables
the distribution management companies to identify all key
parameters pertaining to the fault helping in quicker
identification and correct judgment of the fault they are
dealing with.
Further Another object of the invention is to develop a system
which is capable of sending information to the control room /
server about all parameters and location of the faults through
various communication channels like GPRS / Ethernet / SMS via
protocols such as RS485, MODBUS, IEC 60870-5-101, IEC 60870-5-
103, IEC 60870-5-104, IEC 61850, DNP3.0 and many others.
Brief description of the invention:
According to the present invention, A system for fault passage
indicator comprising a current sensing devicewhich senses the
current value at every defined time interval connected to
microcontroller, a microcontroller for reading the data
collected by the current sensing device and makes sense of the
magnitude, rate of change and direction of the current, a
battery systemconnected to the microcontrollerfor figuring out
low-voltage condition, a signaling system, a communication chip,
a control box facilitating sending and receiving of data between
the fault passage indicator on the lines and the control room.
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Another embodiment of the invention, current sensing device
reads the magnitude and direction of the current at every
defined time interval.
Another embodiment of the invention,microcontroller is a small
electronic device on a single integrated circuit containing a
processor core, memory, and programmable input/output
peripherals.
Another embodiment of the invention, signaling system consisting
of LEDs and colourful flags.
Another embodiment of the invention, communication chip is
connected to the microcontroller and acts as a medium of
receiving and sending data to the control box.
Another embodiment of the invention, control box consisting of
batteries, power module, microcontroller, local communication
module and GSM/CDMA communication module.
Details of the drawings:
A more complete appreciation of the invention and the attachment
advantages thereof will be more clearly understood by reference
to the following accompanying drawings which are for
illustrative purpose, hence the same should not be construed to
restrict the scope of the invention.
Fig 1 illustrates front view of fault passage indicator
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Fig 2 illustratestop view of the fault passage indicator
Fig 3 illustrate L.H.S. and R.H.S. views of the Data collect
unit
Fig 4 illustrate front view of the data collect unit
Fig 5 illustrate front internal view of data internal unit
Fig 6 illustrate top and bottom view of data internal unit
Fig 7 illustrateworking process of fault passage indictor
Description of the invention:
The present invention comprising of a current sensing device,
the microcontroller chipset, battery system, signaling system,
communication device, control box.
A microcontrolleras shown in fig is a small electronic device
on a single integrated circuit containing a processor core,
memory, and programmable input/output peripheral.
Microcontrollersare designed for embedded applications as they
can be programmed to attain any results based on inputs and
outputs. This is the brain of the invention as everything is
connected to it. The microcontrollerreads the data collected by
the current sensing device and makes sense of the magnitude,
rate of change and direction of the current. Based on the
settings made on the fault passage indicator, the
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microcontroller raises the relevant flags / sends relevant
signals. The microcontroller also collects data from the battery
and gives relevant signals in case the battery is low.
A current sensing devicewhich senses the current value at every
defined time interval. This data is then fed into the
microcontroller chipset, which identifies the magnitude, rate of
change and direction of current.
The current sensing device reads the magnitude and direction of
the current at every defined time interval. This data is
actively sent to the microcontroller.
The batteriesas shown in fig. (3)on the fault passage indicator
are re-chargable. They are charged through the induced voltage
created by the current flowing on the line. The battery has one
output ( ) connected to the microcontrollerfor figuring out lowvoltage
condition.
As shown in fig 1, Signaling systems comprising LEDs (5) and
Flags (4 )are the visual signaling system of the invention. They
get a signal from the microcontroller to turn ON/OFF. There are
3/4 LEDs on the fault passage indicator which start flashing
based on input by microcontroller. The Flag has is run by a
motor which gets turned on signal by the microcontroller.
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A communication between the invention and the control box takes
place over secured 802.11 / ZigBee / any other protocol either
standardized or proprietary.The communication chipis connected
to the microcontroller and acts as a medium of receiving and
sending data to the control box.
A control box is a medium which allows communication from remote
control rooms to the fault passage indicator. The control box as
shown in fig 5, consisting of batteries (3), power module (4),
microcontroller (5), local communication module and GSM/CDMA
communication module. The box takes in power from either
110/220VAC supply or through a solar panel.
The control box facilitates sending and receiving of data
between the fault passage indicator on the lines and the control
room.
Working Process:
The figure (7) shows a typical distribution line setup where
there is one substation feeding various T-points, branches etc.
The red marks are the placement of the FPIs on this network.
In case the fault occurs between the Section 11 and 13, the
fault will travel the path starting from 11, through 8, 7, 1 and
finally to substation. In this case, Fault Passage Indicator
number 1, 7, 8 and 11 will start to glow. The remote server will
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also get the data from these FPIs and hence they will know the
exact path traversed by the fault.
Now, the maintenance team can just go to the area between point
11 and 13 and fix the fault.
In another case, if the fault occurs beyond point no 23, then
the path traversed by the fault will be 23, 24, 25, 27, 29, 1
and then to the substation. Hence, the FPIs 1, 29, 27 25, 24 and
23 will glow and similar signal will be sent to the remote
server room.

We Claim,
1. A system for fault passage indicator comprising a current
sensing devicewhich senses the current value at every
defined time interval connected to microcontroller, a
microcontroller for reading the data collected by the
current sensing device and makes sense of the magnitude,
rate of change and direction of the current, a battery
systemconnected to the microcontrollerfor figuring out lowvoltage
condition, a signaling system, a communication
chip, a control box facilitating sending and receiving of
data between the fault passage indicator on the lines and
the control room.
2. A system for fault passage indicator which is claimed in
claim 1; wherein the said current sensing device reads the
magnitude and direction of the current at every defined
time interval.
3. A system for fault passage indicator which is claimed in
claim 1; wherein the said microcontroller is a small
electronic device on a single integrated circuit containing
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a processor core, memory, and programmable input/output
peripherals.
4. A system for fault passage indicator which is claimed in
claim 1; wherein the said signaling system consisting of
LEDs and colourful flags.
5. A system for fault passage indicator which is claimed in
claim 1; wherein the saidcommunication chipis connected to
the microcontroller and acts as a medium of receiving and
sending data to the control box.
6. A system for fault passage indicator which is claimed in
claim 1; wherein the said control box consisting of
batteries, power module, microcontroller, local
communication moduleand GSM/CDMA communication module.
7. A system for full load break switch substantially as
hereinbefore described with the reference of accompanying
drawings.