Electric Fault Location Detector

Abstract

Protection of transmission and distribution lines is an important issue in modern power systems, as a large percentage of system faults occur on these lines. Locating the exact point of fault is often difficult; however, rapid fault detection helps in preventing serious damage to electrical equipment. Accurate fault location also assists maintenance personnel in repairing faults quickly and identifying regions where faults frequently occur, thereby reducing outage duration and improving system reliability. This work focuses on detecting the position of faults in distribution lines using an Arduino-based system, and the fault information is transmitted to a control unit using an Arduino Uno controller. The system determines fault location based on voltage variations across series resistors using Ohm’s law. The processed signal is then given to the Arduino Uno microcontroller. When a short circuit occurs, the current through the series resistors changes according to the fault distance and connected load. If the resistance falls below a predefined threshold, a relay connected to the Arduino disconnects the line. Additionally, an LCD module displays the line condition, and a buzzer provides an alert when a fault is identified.