Real-time monitoring of transmission lines using wireless sensor networks

This paper presents the conception and development of a management system for power transmission lines based on wireless sensor networks (WSNs). In the operation of power transmission lines, there is a real need for this kind of system to help the identification of problems and fault diagnoses in reduced time. The system uses multiple sensor technologies, such as vision, acceleration and magnetic induction, integrated in elements of the WSN for real-time data collection and processing regarding the status of the monitored power transmission lines. The collected data is transmitted to a control and supervision center through the nodes of the WSN. The source of energy of the nodes is independent of the power of the lines. This article presents the general idea, the architecture, and the implementation.