IOT BASED EARTH FAULT AND LEAKAGE DETECTION SYSTEM

Abstract

This project presents the Smart Earth Fault Detection and Leakage Monitoring System, which offers comprehensive monitoring and automatic fault management for electrical installations. The system is designed to detect four major fault conditions: earth leakage through motor chassis, earth leakage through lamp or bulb chassis, voltage leakage in Load-1, and voltage leakage in Load-2. At its core, the system uses an Arduino UNO microcontroller interfaced with analog voltage sensors, a capacitive soil moisture sensor, a relay module for load isolation, and an ESP8266 Wi-Fi module for IoT-based remote notifications through the Blynk mobile application. The system operates on the principle that under normal conditions, the metal chassis of electrical appliances does not carry any measurable voltage. When insulation failure occurs, a fault path from the live conductor to the chassis generates a measurable voltage. The sensors detect this voltage and send the data to the microcontroller, which continuously compares the readings with predefined threshold values. If the voltage exceeds the safe limit, the system automatically isolates the faulty load by activating the relay and sends a real-time notification to the operator via the Blynk application. To ensure safe grounding, the system monitors earth electrode resistance using the capacitive soil moisture sensor. Low resistance indicates safe earthing, while high resistance due to dry or disconnected electrodes signals a potential hazard. This feature allows operators to maintain proper earthing conditions, which is essential for preventing electric shocks and ensuring reliable system performance. Prototype testing demonstrated that the system reliably detects chassis voltages above 0.5 V, isolates faulty loads within 200 milliseconds, and delivers IoT notifications within 2–4 seconds. The integration of remote monitoring capabilities ensures that critical faults are promptly addressed, even in unattended installations. The Smart Earth Fault Detection and Leakage Monitoring System highlights the effectiveness of combining microcontroller logic, sensor-based fault detection, and IoT-enabled alerts. By providing automatic load isolation and real-time monitoring, the system reduces the risk of electric shocks, fire hazards, and equipment damage. Its scalable and cost-effective design makes it suitable for residential, commercial, and industrial applications, contributing significantly to electrical safety management. In conclusion, this project demonstrates how intelligent systems can proactively detect and mitigate electrical hazards. With real-time fault detection, automatic load isolation, and remote notification capabilities, the system offers a reliable, efficient, and modern solution for enhancing safety in electrical installations.