Topics for End Sem PROJECT(EI 4th Year)

1. Underground Cable Fault Distance Locator

The objective of this project is to determine the distance of
underground cable fault from base station in kilometers. The
underground cable system is a common practice followed in
many urban areas.

While a fault occurs for some reason, at that time the repairing
process related to that particular cable is difficult due to not
knowing the exact location of the cable fault. The proposed
system is to find the exact location of the fault.

The project uses the standard concept of Ohms law i.e., when a
low DC voltage is applied at the feeder end through a series
resistor (Cable lines), then current would vary depending upon
the location of fault in the cable.

In case there is a short circuit (Line to Ground), the voltage across

series resistors changes accordingly, which is then fed to an ADC
to develop precise digital data which the programmed
microcontroller of 8051 family would display in kilometers.

The project is assembled with a set of resistors representing

cable length in KMs and fault creation is made by a set of
switches at every known KM to cross check the accuracy of the
same. The fault occurring at a particular distance and the
respective phase is displayed on a LCD interfaced to the
microcontroller.

Further this project can be enhanced by using capacitor in an ac

circuit to measure the impedance which can even locate the open
circuited cable, unlike the short circuited fault only using resistors
in DC circuit as followed in the above proposed project.
 2. Password Based Circuit Breaker
The project is designed to control a circuit breaker with help of a
password only. A keypad is connected to the project to enter the
password. Fatal electrical accidents to the line man are increasing
during the electric line repair due to the lack of communication and co-
ordination between the maintenance staff and the electric substation
staff.

This proposed system provides a solution, which can ensure the safety
of the maintenance staff e.g. line man. The control to turn ON/OFF the
line lies with the line man only. This system has an arrangement such
that a password is required to operate the circuit breaker (ON/OFF).
Line man can turn off the supply and comfortably repair it, and return
to the substation, then turn on the line by entering the correct
password.

The system is fully controlled by a microcontroller from 8051 family. A

matrix keypad is interfaced to the microcontroller to enter the
password. The entered password is compared with the password stored
in the ROM of the microcontroller. If the password entered is correct,
then only the line can be turned ON/OFF. Activation / deactivation of
the circuit breaker is indicated by a lamp (ON/OFF).

Further the project can be enhanced by using an EEPROM for user to

change the password for a more secured system. It can also be
interfaced with a GSM modem for remotely controlling the electronic
circuit breaker via SMS.
 3. Precise Digital Temperature Control
The project uses a digital temperature sensor for precise control of
temperature in medical applications or industries. This system is better
than analog/thermostat system, which has poor accuracy. For example,
it can used for temperature control of an incubator where maintaining
a precise temperature is very important.

An incubator is an apparatus used to maintain temperature conditions

suitable for a neonate (newborn baby) and used particularly for
preterm births of babies. This proposed control system provides the
temperature information on a display and, when the temperature
exceeds the set point, then the load (i.e. heater) switches OFF. In this
project a lamp is provided as a load for demonstration purpose.

The system is using a microcontroller of 8051 family. Display unit

consists of four nos of seven segment display, and are interfaced to
the microcontroller. A digital temperature sensor interfaced to the
microcontroller for sensing the temperature conditions.

This system also provides four push button switches for adjusting the
temperature settings. Then the microcontroller continuously polls the
temperature information through a digital temperature sensor and
displays over the 7_segment display unit and automatically switches
OFF the lamp, when the corresponding temperature exceeds the set
point.

4. Optimum Energy Management System

The project is designed to monitor the number of persons entering as
well as exiting a room. Electrical loads are switched ON as the first
person enters and switches OFF when the last person leaves. IR
sensors used in combination with microcontroller to monitor all the
operations. This helps in saving lot of energy.

There are two pair sensors, each kept at certain distance from the
other. One pair of sensor consists of a transmitter and a receiver, kept
exactly opposite to each other. The transmitting part emits modulated
IR light which is received at the receiver end and fed to a
microcontroller of 8051 family.

When a person enters the room then microcontroller senses it (with the
help of IR sensors) and increments the count and displays it on 7
segment displays and also switches ON the load. In the same way
when a person exits the room, the count gets decremented. When the
last person exits from the room, the lamp is switched OFF. The load
operation is handled by a relay interfaced to the microcontroller.

Further the project can be enhanced by using timer arrangement in the

project so that if the load switching doesnt take place for some reason
as desired, then timer would complete the task after prefixed time.