Design and Prototyping of a Low-Cost IoT-Based System for Fault Detection and Location in Power Distribution Lines

The reliability of power distribution systems critically depends on the rapid detection and location of faults. Conventional approaches often lack real-time capability, leading to prolonged downtime. This paper presents a low-cost, intelligent wireless system for monitoring faults on power distribution lines, based on the Internet of Things (IoT) concept. The system utilizes an ARM7 microcontroller interfaced with current and voltage sensors, a GPS module, and a GSM communication module. The developed prototype monitors electrical parameters in real time; upon detecting an abnormal condition such as a line-to-ground (LG) or line-to-line (LL) fault, it immediately interrupts the load and automatically classifies and reports the fault via SMS to a control station. The alert message includes the fault type and precise GPS coordinates. Through rigorous testing, the system demonstrated consistent and reliable fault detection across all tested fault scenarios. The achieved average response time of 1.5-2 seconds for fault detection, coupled with a minimal data transmission delay, underscores the system's effectiveness. Results confirm that the proposed system can significantly improve fault management by enabling faster crew dispatch, reducing outage durations, enhancing worker safety, and bolstering overall network reliability.