A Fiber-Optic Sensor for Acoustic Emission Detection in a High Voltage Cable System

Area of Science:

• Optoelectronics
• Electrical Engineering
• Materials Science

Background:

• Partial discharge (PD) in high-voltage cable accessories poses significant safety risks.
• Effective monitoring of PD requires sensors capable of operating in harsh electrical environments.
• Existing acoustic detection methods may lack sensitivity or broadband frequency response.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose and demonstrate a Michelson interferometer-based fiber sensor for acoustic emission detection from PD.
• To integrate a compact, high-sensitivity cylindrical elastomer into the sensor head.
• To evaluate the sensor's performance in laboratory and field conditions.

Main Methods:

• Design and fabrication of a Michelson interferometer fiber sensor head.
• Integration of a cylindrical elastomer for enhanced sensitivity and broadband response.
• Experimental evaluation of sensing performance, including sensitivity and frequency response.

Main Results:

• Achieved a sensitivity of 1.7 rad / (m ⋅ Pa) for acoustic detection of PD.
• Demonstrated a high frequency response up to 150 kHz.
• Verified high sensitivity for PD detection in both laboratory and gas-insulated switchgear environments.

Conclusions:

• The developed sensor shows great potential for in-situ monitoring of high-voltage cable accessories.
• The Michelson interferometer-based fiber sensor with a cylindrical elastomer offers a robust solution for safety applications.
• This technology can enhance the safety and reliability of power systems by enabling early detection of PD.