A Partial Discharge Detection Approach in Distribution Cabinets Using a Mach-Zehnder Interferometer

Area of Science:

• Electrical Engineering
• Optical Sensing
• Power Systems

Background:

• Distribution cabinets are critical in power supply systems.
• Internal partial discharge (PD) poses risks of power interruption and fire.
• Existing PD detection methods may have limitations in sensitivity and frequency response.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose and validate a novel partial discharge (PD) detection approach using a fiber-optic Mach-Zehnder interferometer (MZI).
• To evaluate the performance of the MZI sensor compared to traditional piezoelectric transducers (PZT).
• To demonstrate the practical application potential of fiber-optic sensing in distribution cabinets.

Main Methods:

• Development of a true-type distribution cabinet partial discharge experimental platform.
• Utilization of a fiber-optic Mach-Zehnder interferometer (MZI) with fiber wound as the sensing element.
• Comparison of three fiber-optic sensors (50mm, 80mm, 100mm diameter) against a PZT sensor.

Main Results:

• The fiber-optic MZI sensor effectively captured PD acoustic pulses, with amplitude comparable to PZT sensors.
• The MZI system exhibited higher frequency response and longer effective detection time for PD pulses than PZT.
• An 8 cm diameter fiber-optic coil sensor demonstrated optimal performance.

Conclusions:

• The fiber-optic MZI sensing method shows superior performance for PD detection in distribution cabinets.
• This approach offers significant potential for engineering practice in power distribution.
• Fiber-optic sensing provides a reliable and effective alternative for monitoring internal partial discharge.