A Stochastic Relay Algorithm-Based Monitoring System with an Electromagnetic Interference Avoidance Approach for Arc Blowout Devices

Lightning overvoltage is an unavoidable phenomenon in modern power transmission systems and can lead to power cut-off accidents. Fortunately, with the advent of arc blowout devices (ABDs), the power line trip-out rate has been effectively reduced. However, no platform exists to determine the operational conditions of an ABD. Thus, we have developed and successfully implemented a smart online ABD monitoring system to monitor multiple operational conditions of an ABD. Based on a micro-to-host network architecture, the ABD monitor consists of a data transfer unit, a main node, and multiple subnodes. Combining regional and wide area communication network technologies, sensor data can be efficiently delivered with a special stochastic relay algorithm. Once an ABD trigger event occurs, real-time ABD information will be sent out automatically within a period of heartbeat signal to avoid electromagnetic interference (EMI). We prototyped the ABD monitor with a low-cost 2.4-GHz device and tested it with high-voltage experiments. With the application of a stochastic relay algorithm-based approach to EMI avoidance, the system is demonstrated to be a cost-effective and reliable platform suitable for use with ABDs.