Design and construction of a low voltage power distribution line monitoring and alerting system

Abstract

This project presents the design and implementation of a low-voltage power distribution line monitoring and alerting system aimed at improving grid reliability in Uganda’s underserved regions. The system detects faults such as outages, short circuits, and phase imbalances in real time using ACS712 current sensors, a voltage sensor, and an ATmega328P microcontroller. It also monitors transformer loading and efficiency, addressing a critical gap in rural power infrastructure management. Fault notifications are transmitted via SMS using the SIM800L GSM module, while real-time data is displayed on a 16x2 LCD and uploaded to Thing Speak for remote visualization. The system was developed over four months, with the first two months dedicated to research and simulation in Proteus, and the subsequent two months focused on prototype construction and testing. Testing validated the system’s accuracy in detecting faults per IEEE 1366 and ANSI C84.1-1995 standards, achieving a fault detection time of under 20 seconds in simulation and reliable SMS alerts in hardware tests. By offering a low-cost, scalable solution, this project aligns with Uganda’s Energy Policy (2022) and supports the Electricity Sector Development Plan (2015– 2030), contributing to enhanced power reliability, reduced downtime, and sustainable infrastructure development in rural communities.