Remote Monitoring of Distribution Transformer with Power Theft Detection using PLC & SCADA

Distribution Transformer is one of the important equipment in power distribution system network. The average lifespan of transformer is about 25 to 35 years; but they got failed in large numbers, within 3 years of commissioning, due to various reasons, causing huge economic as well as service impact to the power consumers. This paper is about implementation of remote monitoring of distribution transformer's key parameter current, voltage and winding temperature with remote recording of consumer's energy consumption, load shedding of non-vital consumers during overload period, Energy theft detection in the distribution network and alerting during faulty conditions. The parameters are sent to the concern maintenance engineer through SCADA system will be alerted during energy theft and for any abnormal conditions using a dedicated mobile SCADA link. If any abnormality in winding temperature or an overloading situation occurred the microcomputer which is installed in the system will send the alert message to the respective authority and thus controlling the overload on DT and reduces the winding temperature. In addition to this it is also monitoring the load voltage, load current and power consumption of individual consumer remotely. If any deviation noticed between distribution transformer's feeder load and total authorized connected load it will alert the maintenance engineer through a power theft message to his mobile.