Interferometric Fiber-optic Current Sensor Research Articles

Long-Term Reliability of Fiber-Optic Current Sensors

We present studies on the long-term reliability of interferometric fiber-optic current sensors (FOCS) for use in electric power transmission systems. Accelerated ageing tests are performed on crucial optical sensor components and a three-phase sensor system is subjected to an extended field trial. The sensor components under test include the sensor’s superluminescent light emitting diode light source, the integrated-optic phase modulator and various passive components such as fiber couplers, fiber polarizers, polarization-maintaining fiber connectors, and fiber coatings. The components are exposed to accelerated ageing conditions for extended periods of time, i.e., temperature cycling (between −25 °C and 65 °C for up to 15000 cycles), constant high temperature at dry conditions (up to 115 °C for up to 20000 h), and damp heat (85 % relative humidity at 85 °C for up to 7900 h). Crucial component parameters such as the source wavelength and polarization extinction ratios are repeatedly measured as a function of temperature at defined intervals during the ageing periods and examined for potential drift of component failures. The field trial is carried out for a three-phase FOCS system integrated into 420 kV double-chamber circuit breakers over a period of more than three years. The sensor signals are compared to the signals of conventional current transformers. In addition, the evolution of various operational parameters such as the light source power is continuously recorded. The results prove a high degree of reliability of modern FOCS systems.

Fiber-Optic Current Sensor Tolerant to Imperfections of Polarization-Maintaining Fiber Connectors

We investigate the effect of polarization cross-coupling at polarization-maintaining (PM) fiber connectors on the accuracy of an interferometric fiber-optic current sensor. The sensor uses the Faraday effect in a fiber coil operated in reflection mode and an interrogator based on nonreciprocal phase modulation. PM connectors in the fiber link between the sensor's opto-electronic module and the fiber coil give rise to signal instability due to a limited and insufficiently stable polarization extinction ratio (typically <;25-30 dB). As a result the accuracy of the sensor can be well outside the allowed tolerances of applications in the electric power industry which often demands accuracy to within ±0.2%. We demonstrate that by means of a modified optical circuit the disturbing effects of polarization cross-coupling can be largely eliminated. The modified circuit introduces group delays for the cross-coupled light waves relative to the undisturbed waves much larger than the coherence length of the broadband light source. We theoretically and experimentally show that connector extinction ratios well below 20 dB are still uncritical. Furthermore, we verify the superiority of the modified circuit at changing connector temperature (and hence changing temperature-induced stress in the connector ferrules) and at repeated connector open-close operations.

Fiber-optic current sensor with self-compensation of source wavelength changes.

We demonstrate a method for self-compensation of scale factor changes of an interferometric fiber-optic current sensor caused by source wavelength shifts, e.g., due to changes in source temperature or drive current. An adequately tailored fiber-optic retarder in the optical circuit introduces wavelength-dependent mixing of the orthogonal polarization modes of the sensor. The resulting change in scale factor balances the variation of the Faraday effect with wavelength. The wavelength dependence of the sensor is suppressed by more than an order of magnitude to <0.2% over wavelength spans of at least 10 nm around 1305 nm. The retarder is designed as an athermal device for operation between -40°C and 80°C.

Inherent temperature compensation of fiber-optic current sensors employing spun highly birefringent fiber.

We investigate the various contributions to the temperature dependence of an interferometric fiber-optic current sensor employing spun highly-birefringent sensing fiber, in particular, the contributions from the fiber retarder at the fiber coil entrance, the spun fiber's birefringence, and the Faraday effect. We theoretically and experimentally demonstrate that an appropriately designed retarder inherently compensates the temperature dependence of the fiber birefringence and the Faraday effect. We demonstrate insensitivity to temperature to within ± 0.2% between -40 and + 85 °C. Furthermore, we analyze the influence of the retarder parameters on the linearity of the recovered magneto-optic phase shift vs. current and determine a set of parameters that results in a perfectly linear relationship.

Influence of Optical Fiber Coatings on the Long-term Accuracy of Interferometric Fiber-optic Current Sensors

We conducted accelerated ageing tests of different types of acrylate-coated elliptical-core polarization maintaining fibers that are used in fiber-optic current sensors. In particular, we determined how exposure to elevated temperatures affects the polarization extinction ratio of the fibers and, as a consequence, the sensor scale factor. The results show that the proper choice of the fiber coating is imperative for maintaining the sensor's long-term accuracy and reliability.

A Study on Different Types of Fiber Coils for Fiber Optic Current Sensors

We consider an interferometric fiber optic current sensor with a fiber coil operated in reflection and compare three different techniques to prepare the coil: thermally annealed coils, stress-free packaging of a bare low birefringent fiber in a fused silica capillary, and coils from highly birefringent spun fiber. In particular we theoretically and experimentally investigate how the fiber retarder that generates the near left and right circular light waves in the sensing fiber must be prepared for temperature compensation of the Faraday effect in the three cases. All three methods can achieve accuracy within ±&lt;0.2% over an extended temperature range but they considerably differ in their practical challenges.

Interferometric Fiber-Optic Electric Current Sensor for Railway Power Systems

Interferometric Fiber-Optic Electric Current Sensor for Railway Power Systems

Temperature and vibration insensitive fiber-optic current sensor

A robust interferometric fiber-optic current sensor with inherent temperature compensation of the Faraday effect is presented. Sensor configurations based on Sagnac and polarization-rotated reflection interferometers are considered. The sensing fiber is residing and thermally annealed in a coiled capillary of fused silica. The capillary is embedded in silicone within a ring-shaped housing. It is theoretically and experimentally shown that the temperature dependence of the birefringent fiber-optic phase retarders of the interferometers can be employed to balance the temperature dependence of the Faraday effect (0.7/spl times/10/sup -4///spl deg/C). Insensitivity of the sensor to temperature within 0.2% is demonstrated between -35/spl deg/C and 85/spl deg/C. The influence of the phase retarders on the linearity of the sensor is also addressed. Furthermore, the sensitivity to vibration of the two configurations at frequencies up to 500 Hz and accelerations up to 10 g is compared. High immunity of the reflective sensor to mechanical perturbations is verified.