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PLC Based Load Sharing of Transformers

Iqra Rana, Murtaza Ali, Faheem Shafeeque Channar, Munsif Ali, Mustafa
Memon
Department of Electrical Engineering, Mehran University of Engineering &
Technology, Jamshoro, 76062, Pakistan
[email protected]

ABSTRACT
The transformer is very expensive and bulky power system equipment. It runs and feed the load for 24
hours a day. Sometimes the load on the transformer unexpectedly rises above its rated capacity in that
situation the load on the transformer increases and it will be overloaded and current will increase and
cause overheating which in results damage the insulation of transformer. That insulation failure resulting
in interruption of power supply. The common problems which transformer face is overloading voltage
fluctuations and heating effect. It takes lot of time to fix the transformer so that a device need to be
introduced a device which would help in automatically sharing of these over voltages. We will try to
build an automated transformer sharing system in this project where the transformer current is confined
to auxiliary transformer and automatically enters system. There are three transformers working as
sources in this project, initially when the main switched ON the load that time load will be shared through
the first transformer but when the load on first transformer suddenly increase above its reference value
then immediately second transformer connected parallel with first transformer automatically through
PLC by busing relay circuit.

Keywords
Programmable Logic Controller (PLC), Relay,Transformer, Load, Interruption

1. Introduction
One of the essential factor that lay the foundation for social and economic growth of country is
electrical energy. The government and community have controversial feedbacks regarding the
problem. According to some people it is due to rapid growth of country and some contend that it has
to do with failure of aged and transmission and distribution lines of power transformers (Nebey, 2020).
Losses of the power system are also increased by the occurrence of faults, so faults should be removed
at the earliest and corrective measures for example to isolate the fault must be considered. There are
very common problems with overloading, voltage fluctuations and heating effects. The transformer
repair time is very long and needs a lot of money. The primary duty is to safeguard the transformer
against overload. Owing to overloading, the secondary winding becomes overheated because of
burning. So, we reduce the extra load for the safety of the transformer.
This issue is solved by linking another transformer by relay in parallel with the main transformer
(Nebey, 2020). The PLC is designed to verify the overloading of the first transformer and, if this
condition occurs, the second transformer is automatically connected parallel to the first transformer
and the load is shared. There are three transformers working as sources in this project. Initially, when
the main switches on the load, the time load will be shared by the first transformer, but when the load
on the first transformer unexpectedly rises past its reference value, the second transformer, connected
parallel to the first transformer, will be automatically connected through the PLC by busting the relay
circuit (Suryawanshi et al., 2019).

2. Methodology
Figure 1 shows the block diagram of PLC based load sharing of transformers

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(International Journal of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology) ISSN : 2615-2088 (PRINTED)
Volume 03 Number 02 September 2020
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Figure 1. Block Diagram of Proposed PLC Based Load Sharing of Transformers

The Fig.1 shows the block diagram The key component is PLC, according to above block
diagram (Suryawanshi et al., 2019). Supply from the utility side of 220V to the PLC is given. Current
sensor (785) of 100A is used with Arduino Nano. This current sensor is connected in series with
the loads of three transformers. Three relays which are in PCB board used to give input signal to
PLC. Arduino cannot communicate with PLC directly because the PLC required the 24V DC input,
relays are used to produce the desired power to solve this issue.

2.1. Hardware Required For Prototype Model

a. Relays
The relays used are 5V or 6V. There are three relays used in this project which are on
PCB. The PLC is trigger by the output of one of the relays. An electromagnetic relay
consists of normally open and normally closed contacts.
b. PLC
In this project Delta PLC 14ES is used. The Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) is
a digital device used in industry for automating different electro-mechanical processes. To
provide the complete solution for different field applications these devices are connect with
industrial automation products. Using PLC’s to achieve the automation has the following
advantages:
1) Flexible in nature
2) Easy to install and troubleshooting
3) Large contacts availability
4) Suitable for automation industries
5) Ease of maintenance
c. Transformers
In this project we have used the current sensor and three sources from extension and
set the current sensor values according to the requirement of project which together with
voltage gives the VA and share the load.
d. Power Supply
A 220V power supply is used for this project.
e. Load
The load is used as Bulbs. Three bulbs are used in this project. Two bulbs of 200W
and one bulb of 100W. When only one bulb is ON then the transformer 1 is ON and when
the second bulb will ON it means load is increased the transformer 2 which is connected
in parallel with first transformer comes in operation with the 1st transformer in same manner
when bulb 3 is ON the transformer 3 comes in contact with transformer 1 and 2 and load
is shared.

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(International Journal of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology) ISSN : 2615-2088 (PRINTED)
Volume 03 Number 02 September 2020
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2.2. Flow Chart

Figure 2. Flowchart Diagram

2.2.1 Flowchart Description

PLC based load sharing is advanced load sharing technique of transformers. A single
transformer is supplied under normal conditions, and the remaining transformers are connected in
parallel with each other (Shukla et al., 2017). In our project we used current sensor 785 of 100A with
Arduino Nano and this current sensor connected in series with the loads of three transformers. Here
we are using switches and current sensor which in result gives VA thus behaves like transformer.
Relays are used to give input signal to PLC. Arduino will generate the signal that X0 should be ON
then it will send 24V to PLC through relays. PLC check if X0 input is high it will ON Y0 it means
transformer 1 is ON. Then current measurement will have done and if this measurement shows that
current consumed is greater than the rating of first transformer then signal will go to PLC that it should
ON the transformer 2 means high signal sent to X1 through relay and Y1 (transformer 2) will be ON.
Load is connected with transformers which are connected in parallel hence load is shared. Now
transformer 1 and transformer 2 together give source to load. Same condition is repeated in case of
3rd transformer. When the load decreases the transformers will shut down respectively. X0 is normally
close because transformer will remain ON all the time (Kazmi et al., 2019).

3. Results And Discussions

Hardware:

Figure 3. Complete Hardware Model

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(International Journal of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology) ISSN : 2615-2088 (PRINTED)
Volume 03 Number 02 September 2020
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Fig 3.1 shows that load 1 is ON means when (X0) load1 which is of 100W is given then the
output Y0 will ON means transformer 1 ON which is having a rating of 110VA. Such that voltage s from
extension is 220V and current is set 0.5A from current sensor 785.

Figure 4.1. When load 1 is ON

Fig 4.2 shows that load 1 and 2 is ON means when (X1) load2 is of 200W then the output Y1
will ON means transformer 2 having a rating of 220VA will ON which is in parallel with the first
transformer. Such that voltages from extension is 220V and current is set 1A from current sensor 785.

Figure 4.2 When load 1 and 2 are ON

Figure 4.3 shows that load 1, 2 and 3 is ON means when (X2) load3 is of 200W then the output
Y2 will ON means transformer 3 having a rating of 330VA will ON which is in parallel with the first and
second transformer. Such that voltage s from extension is 220V and current is set 1.5A from current
sensor 785.

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(International Journal of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology) ISSN : 2615-2088 (PRINTED)
Volume 03 Number 02 September 2020
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Figure 4.3 When load 1,2 and 3 are ON

4. Conclusion

This research is beneficial in offering a definite solution for automatic load sharing of
transformers.
The “Automatic load sharing of transformers using PLC” work is successfully planned, tested and
hardware is proposed to automatically share the load with the aid of changeover relay and PLC
circuit for operation of three transformers in parallel. It prevents the main transformers from
overloading and overheating, providing customers with an un-interrupted power supply of electricity.
Two or three transformers are coupled in parallel to the original transformer in order to provide
a load that exceeds the rating of the original transformer. When the load on one transformer is
greater than its capacity, the transformers are connected in parallel. The entire process can be
regulated by a PLC. The efficiency improved with concurrent operation, rather than having a one
larger unit, even the cost associated with the maintenance of the spars is lower when two
transformers are connected in parallel.
During our project, the most important aspect was the analysis of load sharing between
transformers. During, this time I was able to link the theoretical part to the practical part.

Table 1. Switching table

Voltage AmperesLoad 1 Load Load T.F T.F T.F
200W 2 3 1 2 3
100W 200W
220v 0.5A ON OFF OFF ON OFF OFF

220v 1A ON ON OFF ON ON OFF

220v 1.5 A ON OFF ON ON ON ON

4.1. Future Scope

1) In particular, the future scope of this project lies in substations.
2) In substations, the operation of an additional transformer is needed to provide the extra
load requirement, especially during peak hours.
3) In our project the transformers under critical loads are automatically connected.

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 :: IJEEIT :: ISSN : 2615-2096 (ONLINE)
(International Journal of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology) ISSN : 2615-2088 (PRINTED)
Volume 03 Number 02 September 2020
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4) Therefore, there is no need for both transformers to work under regular loads, particularly
during off-peak hours. Power is therefore shared intelligently with the transformers.

References

Kazmi, H. et al. (2019) ‘Electricity load-shedding in Pakistan: Unintended consequences,

opportunities and policy recommendations’, Energy Policy, 128, pp. 411–417.
Nebey, A. H. (2020) ‘Automatic load sharing of distribution transformer for overload protection’,
BMC Research Notes, 13(1), pp. 1–6. doi: 10.1186/s13104-019-4880-1.
Shukla, A. et al. (2017) ‘PLC Based Load Sharing System’, IRJET, 4(2), pp. 41–43. Available at:
https://issuu.com/irjet/docs/irjet-v4i208 (Accessed: 1 February 2021).
Suryawanshi, A. A. et al. (2019) ‘Automatic Changeover System using PLC’, International
Journal of Engineering Science and Computing, 9(3), pp. 20888–20891. Available at:
http://ijesc.org/ (Accessed: 1 February 2021).

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