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CIRCUIT BREAKER AUTHENTICATION FOR ELECTRICAL LINEMAN SAFETY

ENHANCEMENT

Article in NeuroQuantology · July 2022

DOI: 10.48047/nq.2022.20.7.NQ33541

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NeuroQuantology| July 2022 | Volume 20 | Issue 7 | Page 4527-4533|doi: 10.48047/nq.2022.20.7.NQ33541
K.KAVITHA et al/ CIRCUIT BREAKER AUTHENTICATION FOR ELECTRICAL LINEMAN SAFETY ENHANCEMENT

CIRCUIT BREAKER AUTHENTICATION FOR

ELECTRICAL LINEMAN SAFETY
ENHANCEMENT
K.KAVITHA, ASSISTANT PROFESSOR,
DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONICS ENGINEERING,
ANNAMALAI UNIVERSITY
E-mail: [email protected]

ABSTRACT
The escalating frequency of critical electrical accidents during electric line repairs underscores the
imperative need for enhanced safety measures for maintenance staff, specifically electrical linemen.
This research proposes a solution aimed at safeguarding the lives of linemen by implementing a
circuit breaker control system operated via a password mechanism. The system's control for
enabling or disabling the power line is vested solely with the lineman, achieved through a password
input requirement for circuit breaker operation (on/off). This system is predominantly managed by a
microcontroller from the 8051 family, with a matrix keypad interfaced to input the password. The 4527
entered password is cross-checked against the stored password in the microcontroller's ROM.
Successful authentication enables the lineman to activate or deactivate the circuit breaker, visually
indicated by a lamp that illuminates or goes off accordingly.
Keywords: Circuit Breaker Control, Password-Based System, EEPROM, Microcontroller, Electrical
Lineman.

DOINumber: 10.48047/nq.2022.20.7.NQ33541 NeuroQuantology 2022;20(7):4527-4533

1 INTRODUCTION encountered by electrical linemen during

The unwavering commitment to safety within maintenance tasks, primarily by implementing
the electrical utility industry has long been a a circuit breaker authentication system [2].
paramount concern, particularly concerning Traditionally, safety measures have relied on
the well-being of electrical linemen working manual lockout/tagout procedures, effective
tirelessly to maintain and repair power lines. yet susceptible to human errors or
However, amidst the crucial tasks performed unauthorized tampering, leaving potential
by these linemen, incidents of critical hazards unresolved [3]. This proposed system
electrical accidents during repair work have seeks to revolutionize safety standards by
surged due to inadequate coordination and integrating authentication mechanisms
communication between maintenance staff directly with circuit breakers, endowing
and substation personnel [1]. To address this linemen with a more secure and foolproof
burgeoning safety challenge, this research means of isolating electrical circuits during
delves into the innovative realm of circuit maintenance endeavors [4].
breaker authentication as a definitive solution At the heart of this innovative solution lies the
aimed at fortifying the safety protocols concept of affording exclusive control of
surrounding linemen's operations. circuit breakers to linemen, achieved through
The crux of this paper researchrevolves a password-based authentication system.
around mitigating the heightened risks Designed around a microcontroller from the
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NeuroQuantology| July 2022 | Volume 20 | Issue 7 | Page 4527-4533|doi: 10.48047/nq.2022.20.7.NQ33541
K.KAVITHA et al/ CIRCUIT BREAKER AUTHENTICATION FOR ELECTRICAL LINEMAN SAFETY ENHANCEMENT

8051 family, the system incorporates a matrix this problem, proposed this system, which
keypad interface to input passwords [5]. ensures the safety of the electrical staff [9].
Successful authentication, by comparing the The person who is working on the line will
entered password with the one stored in the place his finger on the fingerprint sensor to
microcontroller's ROM, grants linemen the switch off the line. This information will be
authority to initiate or terminate electrical passed to the substation through IoT.
circuits. The system effectively communicates Protection of an installed electrical system is
the activation or deactivation status through a globally controlled and monitored through the
visual indicator, such as a lamp, providing centralized internet base communication
real-time feedback to linemen during their medium to make the system most reliable.
tasks [6]. Now a day’s researchers are also focusing to
Moreover, this research extends beyond its protect the Lineman from electrical Hazards
immediate implementation, envisioning that occur in the system [10]. Therefore, this
future enhancements to further fortify its work focuses on the protection of lineman
efficacy. The integration of EEPROM Through the help of an Automatic Password
functionality emerges as a prospective based circuit breaker using the Arduino
enhancement, enabling users to modify system.
passwords and bolster the system's security The electric line man safety system make use
features [7]. Additionally, contemplating of a new concept of one time password (OTP).
interfacing the system with a GSM modem It is found that fatal electrical accidents to the
holds promise for remote circuit breaker line man are increasing during the electric line
control through SMS commands, ushering in repair due to the lack of communication and
an era of expanded functionality and co-ordination between the maintenance staff
convenience.Through its proactive approach and the electric substation staff. Hence to
and technological advancements, the circuit avoid this we are implementing a password
breaker authentication system stands poised based circuit breaker. When the user put a
to revolutionize the safety landscape for request the system generates passwords and
4528
electrical linemen, ensuring a safer and more a relay switches to turn ON or OFF the circuit
secure work environment. breaker [11]. OTP plays a major role in this
2 RELATED WORKS system. The one time passwords mean the
Security is the prime concern in our day to day generated passwords are different at each
life while performing any activity. In the time. These passwords provide total control
current scenario, accidental death of lineman to the system to turn on or off the supply to
is often read and evidenced. In this direction, each line.
a safety measure to safe guard the operator is Now a days we see fatal electrical accidents to
found very necessary looking into the present theelectric line man are increasing during the
working style. The electric lineman safety electric line repair due to the lack of
system is designed to control the control communication and co-ordination between
panel doors and circuit breaker by using a the maintenance staff.In order to avoid such
password for the safety [8]. Critical electrical accidents, the breaker can be so designed
accidents to lineman are on the rise during such that only authorized person can operate
electric line repair may be due to lack of it witha password. The system is fully
communication and co-ordination between controlled by the 8 bit microcontroller of
the maintenance staff and electric substation Atmegafamily. The password is stored in an
staff. EEPROM, embedded inthe microcontroller
Electrical accidents to the electrical staff are andcan be entered through a keypad or a
increasing during the maintenance and repair GSM modulewith a registered a mobile only
of the line. This is mainly due to the [12]. A relay is used to open or close circuit
miscommunication (or) lack of breaker, which is indicated by a lamp. Any
communication between the person working wrong attempt to open the breaker (by
on the line and the upkeep staff. To overcome

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NeuroQuantology| July 2022 | Volume 20 | Issue 7 | Page 4527-4533|doi: 10.48047/nq.2022.20.7.NQ33541
K.KAVITHA et al/ CIRCUIT BREAKER AUTHENTICATION FOR ELECTRICAL LINEMAN SAFETY ENHANCEMENT

entering thewrong password) will not be Safety of human life is predominantly

entertained. important. Nowadays electrocution to the
To avoid accidents, the paper is supposed linemen are swell up during the electric line
within which solely licensed person will rectification, due to the lack of
operated it with the help of a identification. communication between the linemen’s
This system is completely controlled by a little workplace and the mainstation or
controller from the 8051 family. A matrix substation.ie the personnel in the mainstation
keypad is interfaced to the tiny controller to or substation may erroneously switch on the
enter the identification. The entered power line without the knowledge of linemen
identification is compared with the while working on the powerlines. The electric
identification hold on within the shop of the lineman safety system is embedded based
tiny controller. If the identification entered is system which initiates the new notion of using
correct then solely the road are going to be QR code as a password based circuit breaker
turned ON/OFF. The activation and to control the powerlines [15]. When the
deactivation of the fuse is indicated by a lamp electric linemen spotting the fault in the
that activate or off [13]. power transmission system then the power
The circuit breaker is an absolutely essential lines can be switched OFF by scanning the QR
device in this modern time. It is one of the code with the help of Android APP.
most convenient safety mechanisms used. 3 PROPOSED MODEL
Whenever electrical wirings in a building have The research is designed to control a circuit
an over current flowing through them, the breaker by using a password for the safety of
circuit breaker interrupts the passage by electric man. Critical electrical accidents to
shutting down the circuit, thereby preventing line men are on the rise during electric line
damage to electronic equipment and other repair due to lack of communication and co- 4529
casualties that occur as a result of over ordination between the maintenance staff
current. This paper[14] focuses mainly on the and electric substation staff. This proposed
domestic use of the circuit breaker. In this system provides a solution that ensures safety
research, the circuit breaker is combined with of maintenance staff, i.e., line man. The
password for protection, a microcontroller control to turn on/off the line will be
and an Internet of Things (IoT) GSM module maintained by the line man only because this
which enables it to interact (send or receive system has an arrangement such that a
information) with another device via the password is required to operate the circuit
internet and can also send an SMS to a breaker (on/off). The block diagram of the
receiver with the help of the GSM module. proposed model is shown in fig 1.

Figure 1: Block Diagram of the Proposed Model

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NeuroQuantology| July 2022 | Volume 20 | Issue 7 | Page 4527-4533|doi: 10.48047/nq.2022.20.7.NQ33541
K.KAVITHA et al/ CIRCUIT BREAKER AUTHENTICATION FOR ELECTRICAL LINEMAN SAFETY ENHANCEMENT

This system is fully controlled by a displays. It operates by modulating light

microcontroller from the 8051 family. A through liquid crystals to display information
matrix keypad is interfaced to the and images.
microcontroller to enter the password. The Microcontroller: A microcontroller is a
entered password is compared with the compact integrated circuit that consists of a
password stored in the ROM of the central processing unit (CPU), memory,
microcontroller. If the password entered is input/output ports, and other peripherals. It is
correct, then only the line can be turned programmable and used to control various
on/off. The activation / deactivation of the devices and processes in embedded systems.
circuit breaker is indicated by a lamp that Microcontrollers are commonly employed in
turns on or off. Furthermore, this research in automation, robotics, and electronic control
future can be enhanced by using EEPROM, for systems.
the user to change the password for more Relay Driver IC: A relay driver IC is an
secured system interaction. It can also be integrated circuit specifically designed to
interfaced with a GSM modem for remotely control relays. It provides the necessary
controlling the circuit breaker via SMS. The current and voltage levels to energize the
4530
hardware and software components are relay coil, allowing it to switch higher voltages
described below: or currents using a smaller control signal.
AC Supply: Alternating Current (AC) supply is Matrix Keyboard: A matrix keyboard is a
the form of electrical power commonly common input device that utilizes a grid of
delivered to homes and businesses through buttons or keys arranged in rows and
power lines. It periodically reverses direction columns. It allows multiple keys to share the
and changes in voltage magnitude. AC power same input/output lines, reducing the number
is the most commonly used form of electricity of required I/O pins on a microcontroller.
worldwide due to its ease of generation, Arduino: The open-source Arduino Software
transmission, and distribution. (IDE) is used to ease the process of writing
Transformer: A transformer is an electrical code and upload it to any developmental
device that alters the voltage level of AC board compatible with this software. It can
electricity. It comprises two or more coils of run on Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux. The
wire linked by a magnetic field. It steps up or Integrated Development Environment is
steps down the voltage level based on the written in Java and the execution is based on
ratio of coils in the primary and secondary Processing projects. It contains a text editor
windings, facilitating the transmission and for writing code, a message area, a text
distribution of electricity at appropriate console, a toolbar with buttons for common
voltage levels. functions and a series of menus. It connects to
Rectifier: A rectifier is an electrical device the developmental board hardware in order
used to convert AC into Direct Current (DC). It to upload programs and communicate with
allows current to flow only in one direction, them.
converting the alternating current into a
unidirectional flow. Diodes are commonly Each of these components plays a crucial role
used as rectifiers in circuits. in various electronic systems, including the
Regulator: A voltage regulator is a device that proposed password-based circuit breaker
maintains a constant output voltage control system, contributing to its
irrespective of fluctuations in input voltage or functionality, control, and display capabilities.
load conditions. It stabilizes the output 4 RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
voltage to protect connected devices from The implementation of the password-based
damage due to excessive voltage. circuit breaker control system yielded
LCD Display: A Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) is a promising results in enhancing the safety
flat-panel display technology commonly used measures for electrical linemen during
in digital watches, calculators, various maintenance operations. The research
consumer electronic devices, and research successfully demonstrated the core

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NeuroQuantology| July 2022 | Volume 20 | Issue 7 | Page 4527-4533|doi: 10.48047/nq.2022.20.7.NQ33541
K.KAVITHA et al/ CIRCUIT BREAKER AUTHENTICATION FOR ELECTRICAL LINEMAN SAFETY ENHANCEMENT

functionality of granting exclusive control of inadvertent energization. An experimental

the circuit breaker to the linemen via setup and circuit design is shown in fig 2 and
password authentication, effectively 3.
mitigating the risks associated with

4531

Figure 2: Experimental Setup

Figure 3: Circuit Design

The microcontroller from the 8051 family indicated by the corresponding lamp turning
served as the central control unit, facilitating on or off, respectively.
seamless integration of the password Moreover, the discussion encompasses the
authentication mechanism. A matrix keypad potential enhancements and future prospects
interfaced with the microcontroller enabled for this research. The proposed integration of
linemen to input passwords securely, EEPROM stands as a viable avenue for
initiating the comparison process with the heightened security measures, enabling users
stored password in the microcontroller's to modify passwords, thus bolstering the
ROM. Upon successful authentication, the system's resilience against unauthorized
system effectively allowed the activation or access. This enhancement aligns with the
deactivation of the circuit breaker, as research's core objective of fortifying the

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NeuroQuantology| July 2022 | Volume 20 | Issue 7 | Page 4527-4533|doi: 10.48047/nq.2022.20.7.NQ33541
K.KAVITHA et al/ CIRCUIT BREAKER AUTHENTICATION FOR ELECTRICAL LINEMAN SAFETY ENHANCEMENT

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