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Using IoT Applications for Detection and Monitoring of Underground

Cable Fault
To cite this article: Faisal T. Abed and Haider T. AlRikabi 2021 IOP Conf. Ser.: Mater. Sci. Eng. 1184 012003

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ICAREST 2021 IOP Publishing
IOP Conf. Series: Materials Science and Engineering 1184 (2021) 012003 doi:10.1088/1757-899X/1184/1/012003

Using IoT Applications for Detection and Monitoring of

Underground Cable Fault

Faisal T. Abed*1, and Haider T. ALRikabi1

1
Department of Electrical Engineering, College of Engineering, Wasit University,Wasit, Iraq

* Corresponding author: [email protected]

Abstract. Due to underground environments, wear and tear, rats, etc., underground cables are
vulnerable to a large range of faults. It's difficult to diagnose the cause of the fault and the whole
cable must be separated from the ground to inspect and repair faults. The project work is intended
to use the ESP32 controller for detecting the fault location in underground cable lines from the
base station in kilometres. The cable needs to be checked for faults to find a fault in the cable.
The basic principle of Ohms law is used in this prototype. The current will vary based on the
cable 's fault length. In big cities, instead of overhead wires, the electrical cables run
underground. It is hard for detecting the precise location of the fault for the repairing phase of
that specific cable if the fault occurs in it underground cable. The suggested device finds the
precise the fault position. The system is designed with a group of resistors representing cable
length in km and a set of switches are generated to cross check the accurateness of the same at
any known distance. The voltage across series resistors changes accordingly in the case of a
problem, which can then be transferred to an ADC to produce accurate digital data by using
programmed C++ that further displays fault position in the distance. The distance, phase, & time
of the fault is shown on a computer or mobile device using the internet. The IoT is used to show
information on the internet by using ESP32 WiFi module. The website is generated using HTML
coding and the fault information is displayed on the website.

Keywords: Arduino, fault of underground cable, Internet of Things.

1. Introduction
Power distribution networks have been increasingly increasing and their efficiency has been increasing.
The whole network is built with a large number of modules that can disturb and interrupt the power
supply of the end user[1, 2]. For several globally controlled low voltage- and medium voltage
distribution lines, underground cables have been employed for several decades. High-voltage cables in
the underground have become ever more used because of the weather, storms, wind, rain and pollution.
While the cable production technology is continuously improving, during testing and service, factors
still can cause the cables to fail. The Internet of Things (IoT) is the extension of Internet access into
daily items and physical devices. A cable that is in good shape will last around 30 years for a lifetime[3-
5]. These devices can communicate and interact through the internet with others and are monitor able
and remotely controlled, embedded in electronics, Internet networking and other hardware( such as
sensors)[6-11]. IOT businesses in a wide range of sectors are using more and more to improve customer
experience, improve decision-making and increase the profitability of the organization. IOT companies
may also have deeper understanding.

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ICAREST 2021 IOP Publishing
IOP Conf. Series: Materials Science and Engineering 1184 (2021) 012003 doi:10.1088/1757-899X/1184/1/012003

2. Literature Survey
Some experiments and articles were presented and the WSN was discussed. Kevin Ashton, co-originator
of MIT's AutoID Center, initially talked about the Internet of Things (IoTs) in a presentation he gave in
1999 to Procter & Gamble (P&G). In 1999, when the stuff beginning with feeling, also emerged in 1999,
the new movement of MIT Professor Neil Gershenfeld did not use the precise term but offered simple
insights into where IoT was going. Wireless technology, micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS),
multiple networks and the Internet has evolved as a result of IoT. This integration helps to break down
the silos from OT and IT, enabling analysis of unstructured device-generated data in order to drive
information and understanding. While Ashton's had been the primary mention of IoT, since the 1970s
the concept of connected devices was built on the Internet and on computer. For example, in the early
1980s, the first Internet appliance had been a coke machine at Carnegie Mellon University. Using the
web, programmers can check the status of their machines and determine if a cold drink awaits them, if
they wish to make their way to the machine. IoT has been evolved from communication between
machines (M2M), specifically from machines that link to one another through a web without human
intervention[12-16]. M2M means the connection, handling and collection of data of a computer to the
cloud. IoT is a network of trillions of intelligent devices linking individuals, systems and other
applications for collecting and exchange data from M2M to the following level. M2M provides a
connectivity for IoT as its base. The Internet of things is also a natural extension of SCADA, an
application software for process control, collecting data from remote locations in real-time to control
equipment. SCADA systems contain elements of the hardware and software. The hardware collects and
transmits the data to a device that installs SCADA software, where it is handled and displayed promptly.
The SCADA growth is such that SCADA schemes of lately generation have developed into IoT systems
of first generation[17-20]. Nevertheless, it was not until mid-2010 that the idea of the IoT ecosystem
came into its own. While in part, the Chinese Government announced that it would create IoT an
intentional priority in its 5-year plan.

3. Components of the circuit operation Relay

Relays are electric or electronically opening and closing switches. Closing and opening contacts in
another circuit monitor the relay on an electric circuit. When a contact with a relay is usually open (NO)
as seen in the Relay diagrams, an open contact occurs when the reaction is not triggered. If a relay
contact is usually closed (NC), the relay cannot have functioned by a closed contact. If electric current
is smeared to the contacts, their condition may change. Relaxes are typically used to turn smaller current
in a control circuit and normally do not regulate power consuming units with the exception of small
motors and Solenoids with low amplifications. However, relays can "control" larger voltages and
amperes with an increasing influence, as a low applied voltage to the relay spiral can result in the
contacts switching on a large voltage. Relays can avoid damage to the machinery, including over current,
undercurrents, spikes and reverse currents, by detecting electrical anomalies. Relays also are commonly
used for heating elements, pilot lights and audible warning systems.

Figure 1. The relay which used in this paper.

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ICAREST 2021 IOP Publishing
IOP Conf. Series: Materials Science and Engineering 1184 (2021) 012003 doi:10.1088/1757-899X/1184/1/012003

3.1. Espressif Systems (ESP32)

It's a 2.4 GHz combo chip for WiFi and Bluetooth with a very powerful 40-nm TSMC technology. It
was considered for achieving optimum efficiency and RF, with stable, scalable and reliable applications
and power scenarios for many different applications. The ESP32 chip series has been designed for
smartphone, wearable, and IoT applications, including ESP32-D0WDQ6, ESP 32-D0WD, ESP32-
D1WD and ESP32-S0WD. All advanced features of low-powered chips include fine-grained clock
gating, multiple power modes and dynamic power scale. ESP32 is stirred up regularly and just if an
identified circumstance has identified in a low-compatibility IoT sensor hub scenario. The low-cost
cycle can be employed for minimizing the energy consumed by the chip. A performance of a power
amplifier can correspondingly be modified such that the communication field, data rate and power
consumption are optimally reconciled. With about 20 external modules, ESP32 can be a fully
incorporated solution for Bluetooth, Wi-Fi as well as IoT applications. ESP32 contains an antenna
switch, RF-balun, filters, low-noise amplifier, power amplifier and modules for power control. This
means that the whole solution covers a small region of the PCB. In addition to the integration of
advanced tuning circuits, ESP32 uses CMOS to eliminate external cycle imperfections or adapt to
changes in external conditions for a single-chip fully integration of radio and baseline bands. As a result,
mass manufacturing of ESP32 solutions requires no costly specialist Wi-Fi test equipment[21-23].

Figure 2. Espressif Systems (ESP32).

3.2. Voltage level converter

You know it can be the challenge, if you try to connect a 3.3V unit to a 5V machine. A tiny system that
safely moves down the 5V signal to 3.3V and raises from 3. 3V to 5V by bidirectional CJMCU logic
level shifter. This module is available in various 3.3V and 5.0V devices and serves as a bridge to detect
the physical conditions that are interested [24].

Figure 3. Voltage level converter.

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ICAREST 2021 IOP Publishing
IOP Conf. Series: Materials Science and Engineering 1184 (2021) 012003 doi:10.1088/1757-899X/1184/1/012003

3.3. Resistance
Resistors with different values were used in the design of this project in accordance with the
requirements of the electronic circuit for detecting faults. The values of the resistors used 1Ωand 2 Ω

3.4. Strip Board

The Strip Board is a sheet of electrical current insulation material, which is fitted to electronic elements
by welding on one hand with the copper bands, with hole in the strips and the insulation material. The
diaphragm plates can be used in various ways, including integrated circuits. The gap between strips and
the lumps is 0.1 cm and the hole diameter is 0.04 cm which matches discreet elements. The width is

0.15 inches between the strips and the holes, with a diameter of 0.052 inches. Both types in different
sizes for small or large circuits can be found on the market.

Figure 4. The Strip Board

4. Types of Faults in Cables

• Open Circuit Fault The cable's open circuit failure is related to when there is a break in the
cable's conductor. Megger can control the open circuit fault. To do this, the 3-core cable
conductors at the far end are shortened and tiled.

• Short circuit failure: The short circuit defect is called if two conductors of a multi-core cable come into
electrical contact because of insulating failure. The two megger terminals are attached to two drivers. If the
megger gives zero read, it means that these two conductors have a short circuit fault.
Earth failure: When the cable conductor comes into contact with the surface, the Earth defect is called an
earth error or ground fault. The leader is connected to one megger terminal and to Earth the other terminal
is connected to detect this error. If Megger demonstrates null reading, the conductors is grounded.

4.1. Actual application of the work

The circuit shown in Figure (5) represents the practical use of the Esp32 project, which represents the control
component. The keys indicate the wire extension representing the turning the wire connects to the other wire and
the relay is a key component of the circuit.

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ICAREST 2021 IOP Publishing
IOP Conf. Series: Materials Science and Engineering 1184 (2021) 012003 doi:10.1088/1757-899X/1184/1/012003

Figure 5. Software detection of under Ground Cable

4.2. Software detection of under Ground Cable

This model is shown in the figure. 6, the cable control section, in which the form is composed of three cables.
There is a certain color in of cable. You should verify this. The four points representing the touch points are
included in each cable. As for CA1, CA2, CA3 and CA4 for the first cable seen. In a format which indicates the
exact cable interruption date such as the interruption date. The main thing is that the control screen will decide
when the cable can be examined. There has been a cutoff of 15 minutes. And there are four points of contact for
the possibility of adding any number of cables since this project is not limited to three lines.

4.3. Fault of a Cable

Figure 8 displays the first, second and third wires, each consisting of four conductors. Three wires are
shown. In the first cable, a failure takes place at points CA2, CA4, and in the second cable6, CB3 and
CB4, as well as in the third cable, CC2 and CC4.Figure 9 indicates the cable break time 21: 54: 05 and
the cut date 2019-04-02. It is also integrated into the form where the fault can be handled after it has
been identified. The accuracy of the work and so on is what characterizes this project. The time and
date of the failures are outlined by its readers as well as the repair time and date.

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ICAREST 2021 IOP Publishing
IOP Conf. Series: Materials Science and Engineering 1184 (2021) 012003 doi:10.1088/1757-899X/1184/1/012003

Figure 6. Cable fault detection

5. Conclusions
The works on detecting faults in the cables using the IOT. The electronic circuit containing the Esp32,
which acts as a control unit, which contains the Wi-Fi, sends and receives data via the Wi-Fi through
the internet, where the circuit is fed by 3V volts and the control voltage On the conversion of the bean
the from 3-5V to operate the relay, which acts as an electrical switch to the circuit where in case of a cut
in the cable will send a signal to the micro controller in turn sent by the wife to the recipient, either to
the computer or mobile and the characteristics of the project was set date and time Unplug the cable and
time and date of repair.

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IOP Conf. Series: Materials Science and Engineering 1184 (2021) 012003 doi:10.1088/1757-899X/1184/1/012003

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