FBG-Based Multi-Parameter Sensor for Harsh Transformer Conditions: Decoupling Packaging for Simultaneous Temperature,...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Electrical Engineering
• Sensor Technology

Background:

• Power transformer oil environments present extreme conditions (high temperature, electric fields, EMI) challenging sensor reliability.
• Conventional sensors (electrical, FBG) suffer from EMI susceptibility, cross-sensitivity, and poor performance in harsh conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop an integrated fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensor for simultaneous, high-precision monitoring of oil temperature, pressure, and moisture in power transformers.
• To overcome cross-sensitivity and reliability issues associated with existing sensor technologies.

Main Methods:

• Designed an integrated FBG sensor with specialized materials and structures for parameter-specific responses.
• Engineered sensing elements to minimize cross-sensitivity at the physical level.
• Tested the sensor under simulated transformer oil conditions.

Main Results:

• Achieved high sensitivity: 17.1 pm/°C (temperature), ~4 nm/MPa (pressure), and 7.775 × 10^-4 nm/%RS (moisture).
• Demonstrated excellent linearity, repeatability, and resistance to cross-sensitivity.
• Confirmed stable multi-parameter measurement and effective decoupling.

Conclusions:

• The proposed integrated FBG sensor offers a robust solution for simultaneous multi-parameter monitoring in power transformers.
• The sensor exhibits potential for reliable online monitoring applications in demanding transformer oil environments.