IOT-Enabled Real-Time Fault Localization in Underground Cables Using Arduino

Underground power cables are increasingly adopted in modern electrical distribution systems due to their enhanced safety, reliability, and reduced exposure to environmental disturbances. However, detecting and localizing faults in underground cables is challenging because the cables are buried and inaccessible. This paper presents an IoT-enabled, Arduino-based real-time fault localization system for underground cables. The proposed system uses an impedance-based method to detect faults by monitoring voltage and resistance variations across three phases. Fault distance is calculated accurately, displayed locally on an LCD, and transmitted to a cloud-based IoT platform using an ESP8266 Wi-Fi module. Experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed system in identifying faulty phases, estimating fault distance, and enabling remote monitoring.