This project aims at monitoring the oil temperature of a transformer continuously and protects from overheating. Since transformers are vital elements of the electric power transmission and distribution infrastructure, they need to be monitored to prevent any potential faults. Failures in a transformer can easily costs several million dollars to either repair or replace, and will also cause a loss of service to customers and revenue until the symptom is found and repaired.   In transformers the need for monitoring the oil temperature is very much necessary. Turning the transformers OFF whenever the temperature is greater than its maximum operating temperature protects the transformer from damage and also the life time of the transformers can also be increased. Since the oil is present inside the transformer there is a necessity to develop a system which can sense the temperature of the oil inside the transformer and automatically switches ON the relay if temperature exceeds the limit and also informs the electricity department through Buzzer alarm system and alerts through LCD display. The temperature can be continuously monitored on LCD display provided in the system.   We developed this project, which is relatively inexpensive to sense the temperature. The temperature is read by the ADC (Analog to Digital Converter) module of the microcontroller Unit. This ADC data is processed and converted into the actual temperature reading by the microcontroller.   The microcontroller is provided with the instructions such as maximum Threshold temperature after which the transformer need be turned OFF etc. The microcontroller will dynamically decide the status to which the transformer should be driven depending on the temperature input received from the temperature sensor. The controller also displays the oil temperature over an LCD display for the reference of us.        

The objectives of the project include:  

1. Continuous oil temperature reading.
2. A buzzer for alerts.
3. LCD displays based visual alerts and continuous monitoring.
4. Reliable for industrial needs.

       

The major building blocks of this project are:  

1. Regulated power supply.
2. PIC Microcontroller.
3. Temperature sensor.
4. Buzzer with driver.
5. LCD display with driver.
6. Reset Button.
7. Crystal Oscillator.
8. LED indicators.

       

Software’s used:    

• PIC-C compiler for Embedded C programming.
• PIC kit 2 programmer for dumping code into Micro controller.
• Express SCH for Circuit design.

           

Regulated Power Supply:

                     

Block Diagram:

         

video: