IoT Based Health Monitoring and Load Sharing of a Transformer

The transformer serves as a stationary apparatus, it transfers the electrical power between circuits, adjusting voltage and current to desired levels while maintaining a consistent frequency. A transformer can operate most efficiently from no load condition to full load capacity, but it will face issues when it is overloaded, which will lead to a serious problem for the health of the transformer. Therefore, it is essential to monitor their health and efficiently distribute the load among multiple transformers. To prevent a transformer from overloading, a backup transformer is employed to power the load when the main transformer is overloaded. The backup transformer is activated automatically by a microcontroller. This setup ensures optimal loading for both transformers. Additionally, both transformers can be turned on to provide the load alternately when the load is normal. Health monitoring involves real-time data acquisition from sensors placed on the transformer, capturing parameters such as temperature, humidity, and load levels. The data from these sensors can be accessed remotely through the Thing Speak platform, providing users with a convenient way to monitor the health and status of the transformers. Predictive maintenance strategies are therefore implemented to address issues before they lead to costly downtime and repairs. This approach replaces manual monitoring and testing, reducing the chances of errors and saving time and effort in maintaining transformer health and load sharing.