Fiber Optic Sensor For Power Transformer | Rugged Monitoring

By Author: Rugged Monitoring
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FIBER OPTIC TEMPERATURE MONITORING FOR DRY TYPE TRANSFORMER
Rugged Monitoring (RM) provides cost-effective fiber optic temperature sensors to dry type transformers. The sensors provide continuous real-time monitoring of dry type transformer temperature at winding to quickly detect overload and fault conditions. RM Fiber Optic Temperature Monitor T301 Device offer both analog and digital output, RS-485 Modbus & DNP as well as Copper & Fiber Ethernet communication for simple integration with existing PLCs (Programmable Logic Controllers) and host monitoring software. RM optical temperature sensors provide 100+ years of accurate sensing to ensure safe and efficient dry type transformer operation.

Utility companies around the world are implementing fiber optic sensors for smart grid temperature monitoring of dry type transformers. These sensors provide real-time temperature data, enabling operators to maximize load efficiency and balance thermal stresses that can lead to catastrophic failures. Transmission and Distribution (T&D) companies therefore routinely specify the requirement for continuous winding temperature monitoring to optimize maintenance schedules and extend equipment lifetime.

One of the challenges, however, has been to find a cost-effective technology for high-voltage sensing applications. Various RF (radio frequency) wireless and IR (infrared) thermometer sensors have been used, but each has its deficiencies. The RF transmitter/receiver sensors suffer from the inherent noise & interference that exists in a high-voltage environment and can lose signal or show temperature spikes during switching operations that may lead to false alarms. Also, because these sensors use electronic components, their temperature range is typically limited to below 120°C for long-term use. Remote IR temperature sensors fare similarly because they require shielded electrical wiring and special mounting points with precise spatial alignment to the object surface being sensed. Infrared thermometers are known to report temperature shifts due to dust accumulation and emissivity changes caused by subtle surface corrosion. The reported temperature can be skewed by reflected infrared energy emitted by surrounding objects, and sudden changes in ambient temperatures can also introduce measurement error.

RM fiber optic temperature sensors do not suffer any of the technical challenges associated with wireless and infrared thermometers. Fiber optic sensors can be routed directly to critical transformer monitoring points such as the windings. RM low-cost optical temperature sensors are rigidly attached to hot-spot locations and are completely immune to electromagnetic interference and noise bursts caused by high-voltage switching. RM fiber optic sensors are robust, can be manufactured to various lengths, and work like a conventional thermocouple. Best of all, each RM optical temperature sensor transmitter can monitor three phases providing both analog output and digital RS-485 Modbus RTU communication. RM fiber optic temperature probes are perfectly suited for smart grid dry type transformer temperature monitoring.