AC/DC hybrid electric field measurement method based on Pockels effect and electric field modulation

The electromagnetic environment under transmission lines is a concern for high-voltage transmission. For transmission corridors in which alternating-current (AC) and direct-current (DC) transmission lines are on the same tower, the electromagnetic environment at ground level is complex because of the AC/DC hybrid electric field. Generally, different instruments are used for measuring AC and DC electric fields, making it difficult to measure such fields simultaneously. Thus, we propose a method for AC/DC hybrid electric field measurement based on the Pockels effect and electric field modulation. The principle of the measurement is discussed in detail. An experimental platform is set up to verify the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed method and to calibrate the sensor. It shows that the sensor realizes simultaneous measurement of AC and DC electric field intensities as well as judgment of the polarity of the DC electric field. The measurable range is 1.05-150 kV/m (peak-to-peak value) for the AC electric field and 1.23-150 kV/m for the DC electric field with a maximum measurement error of less than 5%. The sensor has good repeatability, linearity, and low hysteresis, which can be used in power grids for AC/DC hybrid electric field measurements.