International Journal of Engineering Research And Management (IJERM)

ISSN: 2349- 2058, Volume-07, Issue-07, July 2020

Automatic Load Sharing of Transformer using Arduino

and Microcontroller with their Comparison
Akshata Desai, Deepa Patted, Manjunath Vaggar, Pavangouda Jakkanagoudar, Kandagal S.S

 terminals which can affect its efficiency and protection

Abstract— Transformer is a static device, which converts power systems. Due to overload on the transformer, the efficiency
from one level to another level. The aim of the proposed work is drops and the windings gets over heated and may get burnt.
to protect the transformer under overload condition by load Transformers are occasionally loaded beyond nameplate
sharing. Due to over load on transformer, the efficiency drops ratings because of existing possible contingencies on the
and winding get overheated and may get burnt. Thus, by
transmission lines, any failure or fault in power systems, or
sharing load on transformer, the transformer is protected. This
will be done by connecting another transformer in parallel economic considerations. One of the reported damage or
through a microcontroller on the other hand through the tripping of the distribution transformer is due to thermal
Arduino. The both controllers compare the load on the first overload. To eliminate the damaging of transformers due to
transformer with the reference value. When the load exceeds the overloading from consumer end, it involves the control
reference value, the second transformer will share the remaining against over current tripping of distribution transformer. Rise
load. If the load exceeds the rating of both transformers, then in operating temperature of the transformer due to
system is going to be shut down. Whenever the sharing of load overloading has an influence on aging of transformers. The
on transformer occurs, the operator gets message through the accelerated aging is one of the main consequences of
GSM. An IOT is also used to inform the control station about
overloading power transformers. Thus, load limitations must
sharing load. This arrangement will provide proper
maintenance facility for both transformers. Hence, temperature be implemented to operate the transformers within safe limits.
of both transformers, load shared to another transformer along Moreover, on overloading the transformers voltage regulation
with timing are recorded. These can fetch about a year of may increase and power factor drops. The proposed work all
records. All these make system very efficient and reliable. about protecting the transformer under overload
condition.This can be done by connecting another
Index Terms— Arduino, GSM Module, IOT, Microcontroller transformer in parallel through a microcontroller (IOT) as
well as Arduino and relay which shares the excess load of the
first transformer. If there is a further increase in load beyond
I. INTRODUCTION the capacity of two transformers there will be a priority-based
Transformer is a static device which converts energy at one load shedding of consumers which will provide
voltage level to another voltage level. It is an electrically un-interrupted power supply for the hospitals, industries
isolated inductively coupled device which changes voltage etc[1].
level without change in frequency. Transformer transfers ac
voltage from one electrical circuit to another by the principle
of mutual induction. Distribution transformers are one of the
most important equipment in power system and are also
known as the heart of the power system. The reliable
operation of a power system depends upon the effective
functioning of the distribution transformer. Therefore,
monitoring and controlling of key parameters like voltage and
current are necessary for evaluating the performance of the
distribution transformer. Thus, it helps in avoiding or
reducing the disturbance due to the sudden unexpected failure
[1].
Transformers being one of the most significant equipment in
the electric power system, needs protection as a part of the
general system protection approach. Moreover, the increasing
population and their unavoidable demands have led to an
increasing demand on electrical power. With this increased
need, existing systems have become overloaded. The
overloading at the consumer end appears at the transformer

Manuscript received July 14, 2020

Akshata Desai, student, EEE Dept, TCE Gadag, India
Deepa Patted, student, EEE Dept, TCE Gadag, India
Manjunath Vaggar, student, EEE, TCE Gadag, India
Pavangouda Jakkanagoudar, student, EEE, TCE Gadag, India
Kandagal S.S, Assistant professor, EEE Dept, TCE Gadag, India

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 Automatic Load Sharing of Transformer using Arduino and Microcontroller with their Comparison

II. BLOCK DIAGRAM This data can extract for every 20seconds and can store about
a year of data. Similarly, it is done for standby or secondary or
second transformer. By seeing this data, there should be an
eye on load limit on transformer as well as duration of load on
transformer. This prevents overheating and overloading of
transformer. Hence, the transformer will work efficiently.
This will be a real time proposed work.

Figure 1: Block Diagram of load sharing using

Microcontroller

In the proposed system (figure 1) only one transformer is

operating to feed the loads. A standby transformer is
connected in parallel through a circuit breaker and relay. The
current transformer continuously measures the load current
and feeds it to the Microcontroller ADC pin. The reference
value or the maximum load limit is entered by the user and
priority level of the load is also set by the user or concern
authority. As the load demand increase during peak hours, a Figure 2: Block Diagram of load sharing using Arduino
single transformer would not be able feed all the load. During
this condition, when the load demand exceeds the reference The figure 2 shows load sharing of transformer using
value, Microcontroller will give a control signal to energize Arduino, only one transformer is operating to feed the loads.
the relay coil. Thus, the standby transformer will be connected A standby transformer is connected in parallel through a
in parallel and share the load equally. Since the transformers circuit breaker and relay. The current transformer
are of the same ratings. Thus, all the loads are fed efficiently continuously measures the load current and feeds it to the
providing un-interrupted power supply. When the load Arduino. The reference value or the maximum load limit is
increases to further to a value which is greater than the entered by the user and priority level of the load is also set by
capacity of the two transformers, priority-based load shedding the user or concerned authority. As the load demand increase
will be implemented. The loads which have the lowest priority during peak hours, a single transformer would not be able
will be shut down by opening the respective circuit breaker feed all the load. During this condition, when the load demand
[1]. When the load decreases, and comes to normal working exceeds the reference value, an Arduino will give a control
condition, first transformer will be shut down in order to signal to energize the relay coil. Thus, the standby transformer
avoid thermal loading. This is done because the first will be connected in parallel and will share the load equally
transformer operates for a longer time interval than standby since the transformers are of the same ratings. Thus, all the
transformer and its body temperature rises. This will display loads are fed efficiently providing un-interrupted power
on the LCD display. supply. The GSM modem will send a message to the control
In this technique an IOT is implemented, which stores the data room about the load sharing and a display will be shown in the
about the Load Current, Time, Date and temperature of both LCD display. When the load increases further to a value
transformers. It will be stored in THINGSPEAK (From this a which is greater than the capacity of the two transformers,
user id and password had generated. By login, data can fetch). priority-based load shedding will be implemented. The loads

14 www.ijerm.com
 International Journal of Engineering Research And Management (IJERM)
ISSN: 2349- 2058, Volume-07, Issue-07, July 2020

which have the lowest priority will be shut down by opening in ON condition and the reserve transformer is in OFF
the respective circuit breakers. This message is also sent to the condition. Apply the load, the reference value or maximum
control room. When the load decreases, and comes to normal load limit is entered by the user and priority level of the load is
working condition, first transformer will be shut down in also set by the user or concerned authority. During the normal
order to avoid thermal overloading. This is done because the the single transformer can able to feed the entire load.
first transformer operates for a longer time interval than
standby transformer and its body temperature rises. By  Under abnormal condition
providing alternative switching, the transformers can be As the load demand increases during peak, a single
cooled by natural methods. Each time the GSM will send transformer would not be able to feed the entire load. During
message about the active transformer thus making load this condition, when the load demand exceeds the reference
sharing and load shedding efficient [2]. value, The Microcontroller on the other hand the Arduino will
give a control signal to energize the relay coil. Thus, the
standby transformer will be connected in parallel and will
share the load equally since the transformers are of the same
ratings. Thus, all the loads are feed efficiently providing
un-interrupted power supply. The GSM modem will send the
message to the control room about the load sharing and a
display will be shown in the LCD display. If load limits
exceed the main transformer is in ON condition and the
reserve transformer is in ON condition.

When the load increases further to a value which is greater

that the capacity of the two transforms, priority-based load
shading will be implemented. The loads which have the
lowest priority will be shut down by opening the respective
circuit breakers. If the load limit exceeds the both the
transformer. The main transformer and the reserve
transformer will be in OFF condition.

III. COMPONENT DETAILS

Table 1: Electrical components specification of working
model
Sl.no Components Specification
1 Transformer (1:1) 230/230V, 250mA
2 Capacitor 2200uf
3 Voltage regulator 7805
4 Transformer 230/9V, 500mA
5 ATmega324 5V
Microcontroller
Figure 3: Generalized flow chart of load sharing of 6 Relay driver (12V DC) Operating voltage upto
transformer 7V
7 Diode (P-N junction) 1N4007
The figure 3 shows generalized flow chart of load sharing of 8 LCD display 16x2
transformer. Automatic load sharing of transformer using 9 Current sensor ACS712, 20A
Microcontroller and Arduino. The two identical transformers 10 Lamp load 40W, 60W
are using which are connected in parallel thought change over
relay. Transformer 1 is a main transformer, which is called a
master transformer and Transformer 2 is an auxiliary
IV. RESULT AND DISCUSSIONS
transformer which is called as slave transformer. Each
transformer has its own load handling capacity. In case of a
normal operation the master transformer shears the load but as
the load is beyond the rated capacity of main transformer the
slave transformer is connected in parallel automatically and
shares the load. There are different conditions would apply
while connecting the load which are discussed below.

 Under normal condition

In the proposed system only one transformer is operating to
feed the loads. A standby transformer is connected in parallel
a circuit breaker and relay. The current transformer
continuously measures the load current and feeds it to the
comparator. Under normal condition the main transformer is Figure 4: Working model of Load sharing of Transformer

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 Automatic Load Sharing of Transformer using Arduino and Microcontroller with their Comparison

In this proposed work it has been observed that if the load on  No manual error is taking place,
main transformer exceeds more than reference value then  It prevents the main transformer from damage due to
relay will sense the change in load current value. Thus, the problems like overloading as well as overheating
Arduino will operate and slave transformer will come into and
action automatically to share the load.  Un-interrupted power supply to consumer is supplied
and short circuit protection.
Table 2: Experimentally determined data of load current
using an IOT CONCULSION
Sl.no Date Time(hrs) Load Current(A)
In this paper, observed that if load on one transformer is
1 2020-07-12 09:00:34 0.09518 increases then the relay will sense the change in current. Both
2 2020-07-12 09:00:56 0.09518 Microcontroller as well as Arduino operates and slave
3 2020-07-12 09:01:16 0.04679 transformer comes automatically in operation to share the
4 2020-07-12 09:01:40 0.14358 load.
5 2020-07-12 09:02:01 0.04679 The work on “Automatically load sharing of transformer
6 2020-07-12 09:02:22 0.11132 using both Microcontroller (IOT) and Arduino” is
successfully done and demonstrated. The demo is fabricated
7 2020-07-12 09:02:42 0.12745
for operating two transformers in parallel to share the load
8 2020-07-12 09:03:07 0.06292 automatically with help of change over relay and relay driver
9 2020-07-12 09:03:29 0.32103 circuit. Thus, the two transformers are protected from
10 2020-07-12 09:03:52 0.43395 overloading as well as overheating and providing an
11 2020-07-12 09:04:15 0.35329 uninterrupted power supply to the customers.
12 2020-07-12 09:04:37 0.33716
13 2020-07-12 09:04:59 0.33716 REFERENCES
14 2020-07-12 09:05:22 0.43395 [1] Zaid Khan, Sharik Mirza, Shaibaz Shaikh, Shubham
Wakchaure, Rajashree Kadam: “Automatic load sharing
15 2020-07-12 09:05:45 0.33716 of transformers using microcontroller”, 7th International
Conference on Science, Technology and Management
The table 2 shows an experimentally determined data of load (ICSTM-17) 25th February 2017,
current using an IOT. To extract these data THINGSPEAK www.conferenceworld.in ISBN:978-93-86171-30-6
software is utilized. It stores Date, Time and Load Current [2] Ms. Mayuri B. Patil, Ms. Pooja M. Nikam, Ms. Hemalata
respectively. It records the data continuously every interval of A. Patil, Mr. Alim F. Pathan, Mr. Shubham P. Nikam,
time say about 22seconds. Even the graph is also recorded Prof. D. D. Gavali: “Automatic load sharing of
which is showed in the figure 5. transformer using Arduino”, International Journal of
Scientific Research and Review ISSN No.:2279-543X
For particular time, at 9hr 34second, the transformer1 is
Volume 07, Issue 02, February 29 UGC Journal No.:
shared the load, by this time load current is 0.09518A. 64650
similarly at 9hr 56second it is recoded load current. So, after [3] Ashish R. Ambalkar, Nitesh M. Bhoyar, Vivek V.
every interval of 22seconds it will go on record the data. Badarkhe, Vivek B. Bathe: “Automatic Load Sharing of
Transformer”, International Journal of Scientific Research
and Development| Vol. 2, Issue 12, 2015 | ISSN (online):
2321-0613
[4] Laknapuram Sai Vani: “Distribution and Load Sharing of
Automatically by using Microcontroller”, International
Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET)
Volume: 04 Issue: 05| May-2017
[5] T. Venkata Sai Kalyani, V. Sunil Kumar, Ch. Srinivas:
“Automatic Load Sharing of Transformer using
Microcontroller”, International Journal of Advanced
Research in Electrical, Electronics and Instrumentation
Engineering| Vol. 7, Issue 5, May-2018 ISSN (print):
2320-3765, ISSN (online): 2278-8875
Figure 5: Relation between Load Current and Time [6] Internal research journal of Engineering and Technology
(IRJECT) K V institute of technology and management
(AITM), Bhatkal professor, Department of Electrical and
The figure 5 shows, Relation between Load Current and Electronic Engineering (AITM), Bhatkal “ Load sharing
Time. This graph deals with Current in milliamps and Time in of Transformer using Microcontroller” Volume: 06 Issue:
seconds. Constructed according to experimentally determined 04| Apr 2019 www.irject.net
values which are tabulated in the table 2. The blue line shows [7] “Protection of Distribution Transformer using Arduino
load sharing of transformer using IOT are drawn by using an Platform” Adil Naseem, Naveed Alam Faculty of
experimentally determined value. Electrical Engineering, Department of Technology, The
University of Lahore, Lahore, Pakistan.
ADVANTAGES
The advantages of load sharing of transformer using
Microcontroller and Arduino are mentioned below
 The load is shared by transformer is automatically,

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 International Journal of Engineering Research And Management (IJERM)
ISSN: 2349- 2058, Volume-07, Issue-07, July 2020

AUTHORS DETAILS
Akshata Desai is born on 30th August, 1998 at
Bagalkot, Karnataka state, India. Degree in
department of Electrical and Electronics
Engineering, Tontadarya College of Engineering,
Gadag district, Karnataka State, India. Her area of
interest are Artificial intelligence, control system,
Transmission and Distribution and DSP.

Deepa Patted is born on 20th May, 1998 at

Annigeri, Karnataka state, India. Degree in
department of Electrical and Electronics
Engineering, Tontadarya College of Engineering,
Gadag district, Karnataka State, India. Her area of
interest are Control system, Power Electronics and
Transmission and Distribution.

Manjunath Vaggar is born on 3rd September, 1998

at Shalavadi, Karnataka state, India. Degree in
department of Electrical and Electronics
Engineering, Tontadarya College of Engineering,
Gadag district, Karnataka State, India. His area of
interest are Power systems, signals and High
voltage.

Pavangouda Jakkanagoudar is born on 14th March,

1999 at Gadag, Karnataka state, India. Degree in
department of Electrical and Electronics
Engineering, Tontadarya College of Engineering,
Gadag district, Karnataka State, India. His area of
interest are Transmission and Distribution, Power
systems and control systems.

Prof. S. S Kandagal is born in Bagalkot, Karnataka

state, India, on 2nd September, 1984. he pursued
B.E. Degree in department of Electrical and
Electronics Engineering at vishveshwaraya
technological University, Belgavi, from
Basaveshwar Engineering College (Autonomous),
as Assistant Professor in Department of electrical
and Electronics Engineering, Tontadarya College of Engineering,
Gadag district, Karnataka State, India. His current Research
interests include Power systems, High voltage Engineering and
Power electronics. He has published many international and
national papers. His membership includes International Association
of engineers (IAENG), IAENG Society of Artificial Intelligence and
IAENG Society of Electrical Engineering.
He received “InSC Best Teacher Award 2019” from Institute of
Scholars (InSc)

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