Infrared Temperature Measurement Sensors of Overhead Power Conductors

Area of Science:

• Electrical Engineering
• Power Systems
• Sensor Technology

Background:

• Increasing electrification and renewable energy integration demand enhanced power line operational efficiency.
• Traditional contact temperature sensors face safety risks and electronic damage from electromagnetic fields in smart grids.
• Development of advanced sensing technologies is crucial for modern grid management.

Discussion:

• This paper details an infrared temperature measurement system designed for overhead power line monitoring.
• A comprehensive comparison between contact and non-contact (infrared) temperature measurement methods was conducted.
• Extensive data, comprising approximately 150,000 measurements over a year under diverse environmental and load conditions, was collected.

Key Insights:

• The infrared temperature measurement system demonstrates high accuracy, with an 88% data subset showing less than a 4°C difference compared to contact methods.
• For 99% of samples, the infrared system maintained a difference of less than 6°C, validating its reliability.
• Non-contact infrared thermometry presents a viable and safe solution for real-time overhead conductor temperature assessment.

Outlook:

• The successful implementation of infrared thermometry can enhance the safety and efficiency of power line operations.
• This technology supports the development of more resilient and intelligent smart grids.
• Further research could explore integration with grid control systems for predictive maintenance and optimized load management.