Real-time system condition monitoring using wireless sensors

In this paper, we summarize our research activities in Condition Based Maintenance (CBM) of critical power system components using Wireless Sensor Network (WSN). First, two testbeds were built: one for emulating electrical faults in motor windings and one for emulating mechanical faults in motors and generators. Second, appropriate sensors were installed on the testbeds and sensor data were collected using wireless nodes. Third, advanced algorithms were implemented and extensive simulations validated the performance of the algorithms. Finally, real-time experiments were performed to detect various faults.