Projects:2019s1-206 Smart Busbar Temperature Sensor

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Abstract here

Introduction

This project involves the monitoring of Busbar temperatures. These are the main power supply rails, which consist of large pieces of copper.

The temperature of these, and how it changes over time, can be an indication of errors that are arising in the system.


The solution to this problem should involve a wireless way to measure the busbar's temperatures, be it by power harvesting, some form of passive sensor, or a sensor that can read the temperature from a distance away.


Furthermore, the final product would keep temperature readings of the busbars over a long time, and be able to give warnings if temperatures begin to trend up.

Temperature readings, both current and history, should be visible on connected screens and from an external monitoring software.


The ambient temperatures should also be measured, from both internally and externally of the cabinet.


Upon design, the product would be refined such that it could be sold as a commercial product and service.


The current plan:

To build a Raspberry Pi based system, utilizing IR sensors for the busbar, with regular ambient temperature sensors also connected. The Raspberry Pi will be able to interface with local screens, and additionally connect to an external server, which can generate alerts, and allow for remote monitoring of temperatures.


This project is industry sponsored by Sage Automation, a division of SAGE Group


Project team

Project students

  • Matthew Owen
  • Anthony Corbo

Supervisors

  • Dr Said Al-Sarawi (EEE)
  • Prof Ross Bensley (Mech)

Advisors

  • Sam Koulianos, Sage Automation
  • Thomas Jolley, Sage Automation

Objectives

Objectives for this project include:

  • Advancement of new switchgear from Sage to Industry 4.0
  • Upgrading of existing switchgear installations to Industry 4.0
  • Create a Raspberry Pi-based Smart Busbar Temperature Sensor.
  • Sense Busbar temperatures wirelessly
  • Sense internal and external ambient temperatures
  • Be able to monitor the temperatures from a screen on the enclosure, and externally via server interface. (by both Sage and the customer)
  • Be able to set up automated alerts, for both Sage and the customer

Background

Google search these topics for some valuable background:

  • Power Harvesting, Eddy Currents
  • Node Red and the Raspberry Pi
  • RFID, Legislation
  • IR, issues in this application
  • Development environments, Raspberry pi
  • Sage, company's services

Method

This project became a comparison with using different off the shelf sensors to create a versatile "Smart Busbar Monitoring and Alerts System". Essentially which sensor would be best in measuring the busbar temperatures with a non-contact method, between IR and RFID sensors.

Results

The IR and RFID sensors were compared on a variety of factors, and the IR sensors were chosen to be made into our final prototype. A Raspberry Pi with Node Red installed was used as the basis of the system, which controlled the operation of all of the IR and ambient temp sensors, and allowed for real time data monitoring and high temperature alerts.

Conclusion

In conclusion, a prototype of the Smart Busbar Monitoring and Alerts System was created, which became so much more than the Smart Busbar Temperature System that it was initially named.

References

[1] a, b, c, "Simple page", In Proceedings of the Conference of Simpleness, 2010.

[2] To be added later.

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