A fluorescent plastic optical fiber sensor for the detection of corona discharges in high voltage electrical equipment

Abstract

The reliability of electrical equipment in high voltage systems can be affected by certain defaults (metallic particles, roughness, etc.) inside the device enclosure. These anomalies may cause a local glow discharge which propagates progressively inside the insulator and which can lead to electrical breakdown. To avoid this end result, corona discharges have to be detected with a system which satisfies some requirements. Actual methods are not well adapted to industrial constraints. An optoelectronic setup, consisting of a fluorescent plastic optical fiber as a light sensor, connected to a simple, low-cost amplifier, is proposed. Measurements were first carried out in air to demonstrate the feasibility of this detection method, then air was replaced by SF6. Results lead to the delineation of a sensor made of the fluorescent fiber and the associated amplifier.

Transparent chiral polymers for optical applications

“…The fact that polymers can be doped with organic molecules also provides crucial advantages. Dye doped polymers have been used to construct scintillators for detection of high energy scintillation and in other fluorescent devices used to produce sensors, switches, and modulators 4–11…”

Statistical Analysis of Partial Discharges in SF6 Gas via Optical Detection in Various Spectral Ranges

“…Micro-optical sensors and fluorescence fibers that can be installed inside equipment have shown great application potential in this regard [12,13]. For PDs occurring in SF6-gas-insulated systems, light is produced as a result of various ionization, excitation, and recombination processes occurring during corona in SF6 with its characteristic spectrum.…”

“…With evolution in optical technologies, optical PD detection can be used as not only an ancillary means in laboratory studies but also renders its considerable potential in PD diagnosis of actual power equipment such as gas-insulated switchgear/transmission lines (GIS/GILs) and oil-insulated transformers while offering the advantages of EM-interference-free operation and adjustable gain. Micro-optical sensors and fluorescence fibers that can be installed inside equipment have shown great application potential in this regard [12,13]. For PDs occurring in SF 6 -gas-insulated systems, light is produced as a result of various ionization, excitation, and recombination processes occurring during corona in SF 6 with its characteristic spectrum.…”

A Transformer Partial Discharge Measurement System Based on Fluorescent Fiber

“…The stimulated fluorescent molecules in the fluorescent fiber will subsequently serve as the fluorescence launch center. When the fluorescence launch direction meets the total reflection conditions of the fiber core-packet layer interface [7,8,11], the fluorescence transmits forward along the fiber axial and finally shoots from the end face for detection. The inducted fluorescent light signal strength comes from the sum of each axial launch center, which accounts for the higher sensitivity of fluorescent fiber in testing weak light signals.…”

“…The results show that the optical fiber sensor with the highest sensitivity can detect PD signals under a 5 kV test voltage and 2 μA current. In [8], the attenuation characteristics and absorption and emission spectra of six different doped fluorescent fibers were studied, and sensitivity tests were then conducted in a GIS simulation device filled with SF 6 . In 2005, Austrian scholars used the optical method to study corona discharge in transformer oil [9].…”