International Journal of Scientific Research and Engineering Development-– Volume 2 Issue 5, Sep – Oct 2019

Available at www.ijsred.com
RESEARCH ARTICLE OPEN ACCESS

Design and Implementation of a Single

Phase Earth Fault Relay
Oparanwata Chidi Cosmas
Electrical and Electronic Engineering Department
Petroleum Training Institute (PTI), Effurun
Delta State, Nigeria.
oparanwatachidi@yahoo.com

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Abstract:
This research paper is about the design and implementation of single phase earth fault relay with
alarm system. Protection coordination is the main part of all electrical power systems. To ensure a high
quality and reliable operation of the power systems, an electrical power fault must be cleared within the
shortest time. This can be done by proper coordination between the protection relays. The design was done
using embedded system technology. This is to reduce component count, keep the system simple and cost
effective.

Keywords — Earth, microcontroller, current sensor, Alarm unit, relay.

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phase. By quickly detecting the ground fault and
I. INTRODUCTION
initiating the appropriate response, ground fault
An earth fault is a situation whereby there is a relays improve electrical safety for workers and
contact between an energized conductor and ground minimize damage to equipment due to electrical
or equipment casing. The return path of the fault faults without affecting the uptime of critical
current is through the grounding system and any operations.
personnel or equipment that becomes part of that The nominal earth fault relay has a trip time and
system, earth faults are frequently the result of
current limit setting/control, and its detection is
insulation breakdown. It’s necessary to notice that between a phase and ground, making the system
damp, wet, and dust-covered environments need complex and expensive.
further diligence in design and maintenance. Since The purpose of this project is to develop a system
water is conductive it exposes degradation of
that senses the earth fault in single-phasing system,
insulation and increases the potential for hazards to
disconnects the system/load from the phase line and
develop. Earth fault relays are designed to detect alerts the user about it, it consists of two electrically
phase to ground fault on an electrical system then isolated current sensors, one connected in-series
disconnects the electrical system/load from the with the phase line and the other connected in-

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International Journal of Scientific Research and Engineering Development-– Volume 2 Issue 5, Sep – Oct 2019
series with the neutral line, a microcontroller based
control system continuously monitors the quantity
of current passing through each phase and neutral
lines. In ideal conditions the amount of current
passing through the phase and neutral should be
same. In case of earth fault, the amount of current
entering into the phase line will not be equal to the
current leaving through the neutral line. In such
situations the microcontroller-based system alerts
the user about this in the form of visual indication
and audible alerts, then disconnects the electrical
system from the phase line.
One Phase System
Single phase electric power refers to the distribution
of electric system using a system in which all the
voltage of the supply varies in unison. Standard
frequencies are either 50 or 60 Hz. A phase load
may be powered from a 3 phase distribution lines
by connection between a phase and neutral (120V
or 220V). On higher voltage system (kilovolt), a
single phase transformer is use to supply a low
voltage system. Single phase power distribution is
used especially in rural area, were the cost of a
three phase distribution network is high. Typically,
a third conductor is called a ground or earth use for
safety, and ordinarily only carries significant
current when there is a current fault.
Although the single phase system has safety (earth
conductor) but this system cannot perfectly protect
the electrical circuit, electrical equipment and also
human life from the high voltage. So, the circuit
breaker is needed to make more protection.
A. The Scope of Research
The research provides exposure on:
1. Single phase Earth fault and earth fault protection
system.
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2. Types of Electrical Faults, Electrical systems and
Load.
3. Current measurement and current sensors.
4. Embedded C program and Microcontrollers.
5. Analog to digital modules/devices.
B. Objectives of this Research
The specific objectives of the study are:
1. To be able to determine an earth fault in an
electrical system.
2. To be able to determine the amount of current
flow through a phase and neutral line.
3. To be able to disconnect an electrical system or
load from the MAINS on the event of Earth fault.
C. Application of the Study
1. The earth-fault relay is used both as primary and
back-up earth-fault protection relay for feeders,
transformers, generators and motors.
2. The Earth-Fault relay can be used to protect
residential electrical appliance against Earth fault.
3. The earth fault relay can also be used to protect
persons from Electrical Shock.
II.ELECTRICAL FAULTS
A fault in electrical are any abnormal situation in an
electrical systems in which the electrical current
may or may not flow through the supposed parts.
Equipment failure can also be attributed to some
defect in the circuit such as loose connection,
insulation failure or short circuit etc. Major
electrical faults are:
A. Over-Current Fault
B. Short-Circuit Fault
C. Lightning Fault
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International Journal of Scientific Research and Engineering Development-– Volume 2 Issue 5, Sep – Oct 2019
Available at www.ijsred.com
A. Over-Current Fault
The National Electrical Code defines over current
as any current in excess of the rated current of
equipment or the amp city of a conductor. These
systems are designed to keep the flow of current in
Two phase to earth
a circuit at a safe level in order to prevent the circuit
conductors from overheating. In term of over-
current fault, the fuse or wire may melt or damage
the other elements of the circuit when a current
greater than that which a circuit or a fuse is
Single phase to earth
designed to carry.

B. Short-circuit fault
A short circuit in an electrical connection that
permits a current to flow in different path from the
one originally supposed. While an “open circuit”, is Phase to phase plus single
phase to earth
an opposite of short circuit and has an infinite
resistance between two nodes. It is an abnormal Fig. 1. Short circuit fault associated with single phase

low-resistance connection between two nodes of a

circuit that are meant to be at different level of
voltages. This results in an excessive electric
current (over-current) and potentially causes circuit
damage, overheating, fire and explosion. Although,
sometimes results obtained in faulting circuit show
that there are some cases where short circuits are
caused intentionally, for example for the purpose of
voltage-sensing crowbar circuit protectors. In
circuit analysis, the term short circuit is used by
analogy to design at a zero-impedance connection
between two nodes.
In an ideal short circuit, this implies there’s no
resistance and voltage drop across the short. In a
simple circuit analysis, wires are considered to be
shorts. But real circuits, the result is a connection of
almost zero impedance, and almost no resistance.
C. Lightning Fault
Lightning is the discharge of static electricity within
a cloud that is visible, between clouds, or between
the earth and a cloud. Scientists are still unaware
what causes lightning, but most experts believe that
it is caused due to different kinds of ice interact in a
cloud. Updraft in the clouds separate charges, so
that positive charges flow towards the top of the
cloud and the negative charges flow to the bottom
of the cloud. When the negative charges moves
towards the bottom, a “stepped leader” is form. The
leader rushes toward the earth in 150-foot discrete
steps, forming an ionized path in air. The important
part of the lightning discharges current is carried in
the return stroke, which flows on the ionized path.
One of the non-permanent faults is cause by direct
lightning phenomena. The example of permanent
fault can mostly been noted on electrical equipment.

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1. The Power Supply Unit

A power supply is an electrical device that supplies
electric power to an electrical load. The primary
function of a power supply is to convert electric
current from a source to the correct voltage, current,
and frequency to power the circuit.
2. The Current Sensor Unit
The current sensor unit is used to determine the
amount of current passing through the phase and
neutral line.
3. The Current Sensor Interface Unit
This unit converts the output signal of the current
Fig. 2: Power fault cause by lightning
sensors into low level DC voltage compatible with
the controller unit.
D. Block Presentation Of An Earth
4. The Indication Unit
Fault Relay
This unit gives a visible indication when an earth
V1
fault event occurs.
N L
5. The Alarm Unit
230V AC This unit gives an audible alert when an earth fault
event occurs.
A B A=B=Current Sensors
6. The Alarm Driver Unit
It enables the controller to drive the alarm unit.
POWER SUPPLY UNIT

7. The Switch Driver Unit

INDICATION ALARM This unit enables the controller to
DRIVER UNIT
UNIT
CONTROLLER activates/deactivates the switch. It is the interface
UNIT
between the controller and the switch unit.
CURRENT SENSOR ALARM UNIT

INTERFACE UNIT 8. The Switching Unit

The electrical system/load is connected to the
SWITCH DRIVER phase/Mains line through the switching unit. The
UNIT
unit connects and disconnects the load from the
SWITCH UNIT
phase/mains line upon receiving control signal from
the controller unit.
9. The Reset Unit
ELECTRICAL

SYSTEM/LOAD On the event of earth fault, the system disconnects

the load from the phase line, the reset unit enables
Fig.3: Block Diagram
the user to re-activate/connect the load back to the
phase line after the fault event.

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International Journal of Scientific Research and Engineering Development-– Volume 2 Issue 5, Sep – Oct 2019
Available at www.ijsred.com
10. The Controller Unit We use two 45t30 current modules, one for the
This unit performs the logic of the entire system. LIVE LINE and the other for the NEUTRAL LINE
of the MAINS that supplies the LOAD.
Below are some of its Features:
III. DESIGN METHODOLOGY The current range is 30A.
The Earth Fault Relay was divided into the Output type: Voltage from 2.5V to 5V for 0A to
following units for simplicity and efficiency. Below 30A linearly.
are the following units of the design according to It uses HALL EFFECT method to measure the
current and requires 5V DC for power.
the block diagram:
Requires No biasing components, as the output
• Power supply unit connects directly to the Microcontroller.
• Current sensor unit

30
29
28
27
22
21
20
19

26
25
24
23
18
17
16
15

40
39
38
37
36
35
34
33
• Controller unit U4

RC7/RX/DT
RD7/PSP7
RD6/PSP6
RD5/PSP5
RD4/PSP4
RD3/PSP3
RD2/PSP2
RD1/PSP1
RD0/PSP0

RC6/TX/CK

RC3/SCK/SCL
RC2/CCP1
RC1/T1OSI/CCP2

RB5
RB4

RB2
RB1
RC5/SDO

RB7/PGD
RB6/PGC

RB3/PGM
RC4/SDI/SDA

RB0/INT
RC0/T1OSO/T1CKI
PIC16F877A

• Alarm driver unit

RA2/AN2/VREF-/CVREF
RA5/AN4/SS/C2OUT
RA4/T0CKI/C1OUT
• Alarm unit

RA3/AN3/VREF+
MCLR/Vpp/THV

OSC2/CLKOUT
RE1/AN6/WR
RE0/AN5/RD

OSC1/CLKIN
RE2/AN7/CS

RA1/AN1
RA0/AN0
• Indication unit
• Reset unit

10
9
8

7
6
5
4
3
2

14
13
• Switch Driver Unit
• Switch unit

1. The Current Sensor Unit

This unit measures the current that flows in the
3

MAINS LIVE and NEUTRAL LINE that supply 3 = GND

2 = OUTPUT

1 = VCC(5V)
ACS712

the LOAD.
Requirements of the Current Sensor Unit
• It should be able to accurately give a voltage
LIVE (AC)

signal that is proportional to the current

that flow in the LIVE and NEUTRAL
LINE.
V1
• Easy principle of operation, easy to use and 220V AC

mount.
NUETRAL (AC)

• Easy to Bias i.e. it should involve less

biasing components
• Availability and Cost Effective
ACS712

Selection of the Current Sensor Unit

After research, the 45t30A Current sensor module
3

was selected. The module is powered with 5V DC.

It can measure up to 30A. Its output ranges from
2.5V to 5V for 0A to 30A linearly. Fig 3.: The interface between the Current sensor and the microcontroller

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International Journal of Scientific Research and Engineering Development-– Volume 2 Issue 5, Sep – Oct 2019
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2. The Switch Drive and Switch Unit From the switching analysis of a transistor:
This unit is the interface between the controller unit Ibsat=Icsat x hfe;
and the Switch Unit. It Enables the microcontroller Icsat=400mA; hfe=120;
to effectively ON and OFF the Switch Unit. Ibsat=(400x10-3)/120 = 3.33mA.
The following components:
Relay (12v, 30A DC). Calculating for RB
Resistor. Vp - Ibsat x RB – VBE = 0;
NPN transistor (BC547). Rearranging the equation:
RB = (Vp - VBE)/Ibsat

From the datasheet of PIC16F877A

NUETRAL (AC) Vp = 4.3V;
RB = (4.3 – 0.7)/0.0033 = 1080Ω. A standard value
NO NC TO LOAD
of 1KΩ was used.
RELAY
12V
30A LIVE (AC)
D2
DIODE
C
3. The Alarm Unit
This unit servers the purpose of giving an audible
R1 Q1
1K
BC547 indication when the Earth fault event occurs. It is
Activated and deactivated by the Controller unit.

Requirements for the Alarm Unit

Fig 4: The Switch Driver And Switch Unit
Selection of the Transistor Q1
The choice of Q1 depends on the following
parameters:
The nature of the actuating signal (control signal).
The load current demand (collector current).
The supply voltage
• An alarm unit with Less biasing components
• Reasonable operating Voltage and current
• Should give a good audible Sound.
• The necessary components should be cost
effective and available
• It should be easily interfaced with the
controller unit.

The relay current (load current) = Relay voltage/ Selection of the Alarm Unit
Relay resistance A DC Buzzer Alarm was selected. It operates with
Relay voltage=12V (specified)
5V to 12V DC, 20mA; it gives a good audible
Relay Resistance= 120Ω (observed)
Relay current demand= 12v/120 = 0.1A i.e. 100mA. sound and requires less components to bias it; it has
Relay current=transistor collector current. a very easy interface that can be incorporated with
the controller unit. It is cost effective and readily
From the BC547 datasheet, Ic(sat) = 400mA > available.
100mA (load).
Hfe= 100 to 150; using a Hfe of 120
VBE = 0.7v.

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International Journal of Scientific Research and Engineering Development-– Volume 2 Issue 5, Sep – Oct 2019
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Ibsat = (400x10-3)/120 = 3.33mA.
TO 12V VCC
Calculating for RB
Vp - IBsat x Rb – Vbe = 0;
ALARM UNIT Rearranging the equation:
RB = (Vp - VBE)/IBsat
DC BUZZER

From the datasheet of PIC16F877A

Vp = 4.3V;
R2 Q2
BC547
RB= (4.3 – 0.7)/0.0033 = 1080Ω. A standard value
1K of 1KΩ was used.

4. Principle of Operation
According to the circuit diagram, When the switch
is ON, the power supply unit provides 5V Dc to the
Fig 5: The Alarm Unit
Circuit, the microcontroller initializes its internal
Selection of the Transistor registers. Then microcontroller outputs HIGH(5V)
The choice of transistor depends on the following at PIN33 to Activate the SWITCH. Then it
parameters: performs ADC conversion on the voltages at PIN2
•The nature of the actuating signal (control signal). and PIN3. it Compare the returned values, if the
•The load current demand (collector current) result of the comparison is true, it waits and
•The supply voltage. performs ADC conversion again, but if false, it
outputs LOW(0V) at PIN33 to deactivate the
The BUZZER current = 20mA SWITCH, outputs HIGH at PIN27 to activate the
BUZZER current = transistor collector current. ALARM Unit and also outputs HIGH at PIN30 to
From the BC547 datasheet, Ic (sat) = 400mA > activate the indication unit. When the user presses
20mA (load).
the RESET button, the microcontroller outputs a
Hfe = 100 to 150; using a Hfe of 120
Vbe = 0.7V. LOW at PIN27 and PIN30, then a HIGH at PIN33.
From the switching analysis of a transistor: the process starts all-over again.
Ibsat = Icsat x hfe;
Icsat = 400mA;
Hfe = 120;

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International Journal of Scientific Research and Engineering Development-– Volume 2 Issue 5, Sep – Oct 2019
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V1
1 = VCC(5V)

2 = OUTPUT
220V AC
U3 LIVE (AC) NUETRAL (AC)
7805 3 = GND

1 3
1 1
VI VO

GND
ACS712 ACS712
2 2

2
3 3

NUETRAL (AC)

NO NC TO LOAD
RELAY
12V
30A LIVE (AC)
D2
DIODE
C
U1 R1 Q1
C2 13 33 BC547
OSC1/CLKIN RB0/INT
14 34 1K
OSC2/CLKOUT RB1
35
RB2
15uF 2 36
RA0/AN0 RB3/PGM
16MHZ 3
RA1/AN1 RB4
37
CRYSTAL 4 38
C3 5
RA2/AN2/VREF-/CVREF RB5
39
RA3/AN3/VREF+ RB6/PGC
6 40
RA4/T0CKI/C1OUT RB7/PGD
7
TR1 15uF
RA5/AN4/SS/C2OUT
15
TO 12V VCC
BR1 8
RC0/T1OSO/T1CKI
16
U2 9
RE0/AN5/RD RC1/T1OSI/CCP2
17
D1 D2 7805 10
RE1/AN6/WR RC2/CCP1
18
RE2/AN7/CS RC3/SCK/SCL
V2 RC4/SDI/SDA
23
220V AC 1
VI VO
3 1
MCLR/Vpp/THV RC5/SDO
24 ALARM UNIT
25
GND

RC6/TX/CK
26
RC7/RX/DT DC BUZZER
D4 R3
10k 19
D3 BRIDGE RD0/PSP0
2

C1 RD1/PSP1
20
230V/12V step down Trans 2500uF C9 RD2/PSP2
21
35V 104 RD3/PSP3
22 R2 Q2
27 BC547
RD4/PSP4
D1 RD5/PSP5
28 1K
LED 29
RD6/PSP6
30
RD7/PSP7
PIC16F877A
11 12

Vdd Vss R3
10k

C10
104 D1
LED

Fig.4: Working Circuit V. CONCLUSION

A successful attempt has been made to design and
IV. RESULT
implement an Earth Fault Relay using locally
This System is designed to prevent faults in available material. The system is capable of
electrical systems due to earth leakage current. The detecting Earth Leakages in devices. The completed
protection of electrical system is required to work had been tested and worked satisfactory.
maintain any device in operation without failure.
There are various types of protective devices used ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
in Power Systems. The knowledge of protective
Very big thanks to my wife and children and also to
devices helps to use them smartly and avoid system
breakdown. Earth leakage current gives rise to heat the staffs of Electrical and Electronic Engineering
generation and progressive failure of insulation Department, Petroleum Training Institute, for their
which leads to earth faults & sparks. The Earth
support for their support.
Fault Relay detects the leakage current well before
they cross threshold limit. REFERENCES
Finally, the system was subjected under various [1]. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=foyXwOMqj6g
[2]. Types of Faults in Electrical Power Systems, Electronics Hubs,
tests to see if it will trip seeing abnormal current; https://www.electronicshub.org/types-of-faults-in-electrical-power-systems/
the circuit was successfully energized without a [3]. NTT (2011), Simulation System for Estimating Hazardous Voltages
problem. Induced in Telecommunication Cables by Power Faults,

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