Design and Development of WCDMA-based Distribution Transformer Monitoring System
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Date
2014-12
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
In electrical power systems, distribution transformer is an equipment which distributes power to
the low-voltage users. For proper operation (i.e., under rated conditions) of the transformers,
their operational conditions should be monitored and maintained. Overloading and overheating
are two sources of transformers failure that cause power disruption for the customers and reduce
the life time of the equipments on the power distribution system. Since it is very costly to repair
or replace a single transformer, it also has its impact on the economy of the country. Hence, a
system that properly monitors the power system and take corrective action should be in place.
This thesis presents the design and implementation of a Wideband Code Division Multiple
Access (WCDMA) based distribution transformer monitoring system. This system monitors and
records key parameters of a distribution transformer like load currents, load voltage, and
transformer oil temperatures. These parameters provide useful information about the status of a
transformer. The acquired parameters are processed and the data is sent to a central monitoring
station through the WCDMA air interface. The data will then be further processed and analyzed
each moment by the system operator. WCDMA has a very low latency which is best for real time
systems. Besides that it provides a balance of trade-offs between cost, capacity, performance,
and density.
The system is designed and implemented in a laboratory using Wi-Fi network and key
parameters were recorded. The variations of the recorded values help us in identifying the
possible failure that could occur, if the values are over the rated values. Monitoring of the
transformer has been achieved in the laboratory through our system. Then, possibly corrective
actions, like balancing the loads on each phase or even switching the transformer off, can be
taken before the failures happen and we can identify the parts of the electric power distribution
system which need stabilizing from the history we get. The latency of the WCDMA was also
calculated. The maximum time of arrival of the data at the central station was found to be less
than 100ms. Thus, this implemented system will help the utility to improve fault restoration time
and optimally utilize distribution transformers for a longer period of time.
Key words: WCDMA, distribution transformer, monitoring
Design and Development of WCDMA based DTMS ii
Acknowledgment
Description
Keywords
WCDMA, Distribution transformer, monitoring