An Electromagnetic Energy Harvester for Wireless Sensors from Power Lines: Modeling and Experiment Verification

Abstract

In this study, harvesters, sensors and data acquisition cards were designed and tested to obtain data from transmission lines. In this context; numerical analyses of harvesters with two different core geometries were performed with Ansys Maxwell software. Then the voltage and power harvested by the harvesters at different line currents were measured with pre-tests in the laboratory. Analyses’ results and pre-test’s results were examined and it was determined that the geometric structure (double C) model suitable for use in overhead transmission lines with high current could be used. The field test was carried out on a distribution transformer. In the field test, the harvester mounted on the transformer supply line has charged the battery supplying the sensor circuit with sufficient power to ensure normal operation of the system. A circuit is designed to measure air temperature, humidity, pressure, altitude, air quality and transformer temperature and to transmit them to the remote distance with RF transmitter. Data received on the data collection card can be recorded at certain periods and time-based graphs of the data can be obtained by a computer interface program. The energy of this circuit is to meet the energy harvested from the electromagnetic field.