Design of Faulty Switching Detection and Alert System to Prevent Fatality of Servicemen During Transformer Maintenance

Abstract

Enriching electric safety feature is the foremost concern for reducing fatality. Recent power system installations have been equipped with all safety features by employing modernized technological innovations. However, the age-old equipment installed long before lacks safety features. One of the critical safety feature issues that cause a threat to human life due to lack of safety features is the malfunction of the air break isolation switch which is caused by thermal effects. Similarly, fatality during the maintenance of distribution of the transformer is of significant concern. Globally, air break switches have been utilized to isolate power lines and transformers in the distribution premises. Facilitating the transformers with safety features is a highly complicated and expensive task. Consequently, severe fatalities have been recorded due to the lack of accident preventive techniques. In this perspective, the proposed work is to develop a Faulty Switching Detection and Alert System (FSDA) to alleviate the life-threatening issues. The FSDA mechanism is an integrated actuator setup configured beside the transformer switches and operating rods, and the malfunction of switches is detected and alerted. The Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) module is used to integrate the detection mechanism with alert and display system. The system generates an alarm to alert the workmen to avoid fatality.