Published Paper Details:

Underground cables are widely used in urban areas for power distribution due to their safety, aesthetic, and space-saving advantages. However, locating faults in these cables is challenging and time-consuming because the cables are not visible. This project proposes an Underground Cable Fault Locator System using a Microcontroller, which can detect the exact location of a fault in the underground cable. The system operates based on the Ohm's Law principle, where the cable's resistance is proportional to its length. A DC power supply is applied to the cable line, and in the event of a short circuit or open circuit, the voltage drop across the cable changes. The microcontroller measures this voltage drop and calculates the distance to the fault using pre-calibrated values. The core components of the system include a microcontroller, voltage sensing circuit, LCD display, and relay driver circuitry for safety control. The calculated fault distance is displayed on the LCD in real-time, helping maintenance teams quickly locate and fix the fault without unnecessary excavation