A Novel Edge Computing-Based System for Real-Time Neutral-to-Earth Voltage and Energy Monitoring in Distribution Networks

Abstract

Neutral-to-earth voltage (NTEV) is a critical indicator of grounding integrity, insulation degradation, and electrical safety in distribution networks; however, it is often monitored only through centralized cloud-based systems, resulting in high latency, limited visibility of time-dependent anomalies, and dependency on reliable communication infrastructure. This paper presents the design, implementation, and field validation of a Smart Energy Meter–Edge Gateway (SEM-EG) architecture that integrates continuous NTEV monitoring with edgebased analytics and cloud-supported supervision. The proposed system performs real-time measurement of NTEV together with voltage, current, and power-related parameters, enabling local anomaly detection and operational awareness at the field level while providing long-term data aggregation and visualization in the cloud. Long-term deployment in an operational distribution panel demonstrates that continuous edge-based monitoring detects time-dependent grounding-related faults that remain undetected by conventional measurements, and that corrective field interventions result in an approximately 80% reduction in night-time NTEV levels, quantitatively verifying maintenance effectiveness. In addition, a multi-parameter analysis framework combining NTEV, phase currents, phase voltages, and power metrics is used to assess indirect system impacts. The SEM-EG achieves a measurement precision of ±0.5% and reduces fault detection latency by 78% compared to cloud-only approaches. Results show that edge intelligence transforms NTEV from a passive diagnostic parameter into an active, real-time operational indicator, providing a scalable and practical solution for modern smart grids.