Automatic cable fault distance locator

Major Project, Aug-Dec 2024

Ashutosh Singh Shekhawat

Roll No: R132221002, Semester: VI
Saurabh Singh
Roll No: R123331008, Semester: VI

In the partial fulfilment of the requirements

for the award of the degree of

BACHELOR OF TECHNOLOGY
in
ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING

Under the guidance

Dr. Harshit Mohan
(Electrical Department)

ELECTRICAL CLUSTER

SCHOOL OF

ENGINEERING
UNIVERSITY OF PETROLEUM AND ENERGY STUDIES

Bidholi Campus, Energy Acres

Dehradun- 248007
 ACKNOWLEDGMENT

The completion of our minor project could not have been possible without the kind support and help of
many individuals. We would like to extend our sincere thanks, and gratitude to all of them. We take pleasure
in presenting before you, our project, which is a result of studied blend of both research and knowledge. We
are highly indebted to our mentor Dr. Harshit Mohan for his guidance and constant supervision. We would
like to express our gratitude towards our parents as without them, the support system that we needed would
never would have been possible.
We would also extend our thanks to our batch mates and faculties of University of Petroleum and Energy
Studies for their kind cooperation and encouragement which motivated us and helped us in thinking of this
project

Ashutosh Singh Shekhawat

Roll No: R132221002, Semester: VII
Signature:
Date:

Saurabh Singh
Roll No: R132221008, Semester: VII
Signature:
Date:
 DECLARATION

I hereby declare that this submission is our own and that, to the best of by knowledge and belief, if
contains no material previously published or written by another person nor material which has been
accepted for the award of another degree or diploma of the university or other higher learning institute. All
the things in the report are by us and we are solely responsible for any plagiarism.

Ashutosh Singh Shekhawat

Roll No: R132221002, Semester: VII
Signature:
Date:

Saurabh Singh
Roll No: R132221008, Semester: VII
Signature:
Date:
 CERTIFICATE

This is to certify that Mr. Ashutosh Singh Shekhawat, Roll no: R132221002 and Mr. Saurabh Singh, Roll no:
R132221008, students of B.Tech-Electronics and Communication Engineering (VI Semester) and B.tech
Electrical Engineering, from Electrical Cluster, School of Engineering, University of Petroleum and Energy
Studies, Dehradun (Uttarakhand) have completed their minor project entitled Underground cable fault distance
locator under the guidance of Dr. Harshit Mohan Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering SOE,
UPES, Dehradun.

Signature:

Date:

Name of Supervisor:

Dr. Harshit Mohan

Designation:

Department name:

Electrical Engineering
 Table of Contents

Abstract
Table of Contents
List of Figures
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION 1
CHAPTER 2: MOTIVATION 2
CHAPTER 3: METHODOLOGY 3
CHAPTER 5: REFRENCES
4
 Abstract

Underground cable fault distance locators are essential for maintaining the reliability of modern electrical
systems by accurately identifying faults in buried cables. These devices minimize downtime and reduce repair
costs by pinpointing faults with precision, which is crucial as urban infrastructure becomes increasingly
complex. Key challenges include signal attenuation, variability in cable construction, environmental
interference, and the need for regular calibration. Despite these challenges, the advancement of fault locator
technologies is vital for ensuring continuous power supply, enhancing operational efficiency, and supporting
infrastructure growth. Addressing these issues contributes to safer, more sustainable, and reliable electrical
networks.
 Introduction

A million kilometers of cables have been strung around the nation in the previous several decades. However, it
is now buried underground, which is more space-efficient than the previous approach. Because harsh weather
conditions such as strong rain, storms, pollutants, and snow do not impact subsurface wires. However, because
you don't know the precise location of the wire, it might be quite challenging to identify the particular issue
when one arises. The project's goal is to locate the flaw using digital means, as the world grows more digital
every day.
When a defect arises, fixing that specific cable is an extremely challenging task. The main causes of the cable's
fault are several. They are: erratic, flawed in any way, frailty of the wire, failure of the insulation, and
conductor breakage. In order to solve this issue, the following project is designed to locate underground cable
faults: an underground cable fault distance locator.

Underground Cable Fault Distance Locator:

Before attempting to find underground cable faults on direct hidden primary cable, it is essential to know
where the cable is situated and what direction it takes. If the fault occurs on the secondary cable, then knowing
the exact route is even more critical. Since it is extremely difficult to find a cable fault without knowing where
the cable is, it makes sense to master cable locating and tracking before start the fault locating process.
 Motivation
Underground cable fault distance locators are pivotal in maintaining the reliability and efficiency of modern
electrical infrastructure. Their importance is underscored by the increasing complexity and demands of urban
electrical systems. Ensuring a continuous and reliable power supply is critical as it supports everyday life and
economic activities. By precisely identifying faults in buried cables, these locators help minimize downtime
and prevent widespread power outages, thus maintaining operational stability.
Efficient fault detection also translates into significant cost savings. Accurate pinpointing of faults reduces the
need for extensive excavation, lowering labor and material costs. This efficiency not only cuts expenses but
also limits service interruptions, further enhancing operational effectiveness.

As urban areas expand, the management of underground cables becomes more challenging. Advanced fault
locators are essential for navigating this complexity, supporting infrastructure growth, and ensuring that
electrical systems remain robust and dependable. Moreover, the safety of both maintenance personnel and the
public is paramount. Fault locators play a crucial role in preventing dangerous situations by enabling timely
and precise fault detection.
 Methodology

Figure 1 Underground Cable Fault Distance Locator Circuit

Figure 1, shows the block diagram of an underground cable fault distance locator system. This project is
assembled with a set of resistors that represents the cable length in kilometers and fault creation consists of a
set of switches on every kilometer is known to cross check the accuracy of the same. This is the model for the
proposed underground cable fault locator distance using the Arduino Uno. It is divided into four parts, the DC
power supply part, cable part, controlling part and display part. The DC power supply consists of AC supply,
transformer, rectifier and voltage regulator. AC supply of 230 V in step-down by transformer, bridge rectifier
converts the AC signal to a DC signal while the regulator is used to generate a constant DC voltage.
The cable is represented by a set of resistors with switches. The current sensing part on the cable represented
as a set of resistors and switches used as fault creator to specify a fault at each location.
Next is the controlling part that comprising an Analog to Digital Converter (ADC) that receives input from the
current sensing circuit. ADC converts this voltage to a digital signal and feeds the Arduino with the signal. The
display part consists of the LCD display interfaced to the Arduino which shows the status of the cable of each
phase and the distance of the cable at the particular phase, in case of any fault

Figure 2. Flowchart of project coding.

Figure 2, shows the flowchart of project coding. The system will initially be displaying no fault on the LCD
screen in every phase represented by R (red), Y (yellow), and B (blue). Theoretically, the switch represents the
creator of the fault must be pressed to find fault in the LCD display.

Components Required
 Arduino Uno microcontroller board
 16×2 LCD display
 Relays (Three for three lines red yellow blue )
 Current sensing resistors
 Toggle Switches
 Jumper wires
 PCB ( Printed Circuit Board )
 Power supply adaptor ( 12 V )
 Resistors and Capacitors

REFRENCES

 https://www.elprocus.com/underground-cable-fault-distance-locator-circuit/
 https://www.elprocus.com/underground-cable-fault-distance-locator-circuit/
 https://circuitsbazaar.com/underground-cable-fault-distance-locator-using-arduino-162-lcd-and-relays/