Pole-Mounted Distribution Transformers in Rural Areas During Disaster Times Using Wireless Communication

The pole-mounted transformer is very important when distributing electricity to rural areas since these transformers are exposed to unfavorable environmental conditions. In case of disasters such as cyclones, floods, and earthquakes, the transformer can easily be affected by problems such as oil leakage, overload of electricity, fire danger, and pole failure. Conventional monitoring of these transformers is conducted manually and the process is inefficient in terms of cost and time in remote and disaster-ridden environments. This research describes the development of an Internet of Things (IoT)-based system for monitoring the health status of pole-mounted transformers using wireless technology. This system comprises various types of sensors such as MQ sensors for oil leakages, voltage and current sensors for the flow of electricity, flame sensors to detect fire, and MEMS sensors to measure pole tilt and vibration. The data obtained from the sensors is transmitted by ESP32 microcontroller through the HC-12 wireless transmitter module to the remote monitoring center.