A Fiber-Optic Multisensor System for Predischarges Detection on Electrical Equipment

An innovative detection prototype, developed to improve the reliability of distribution networks is described. It is based on a multisensing approach including three different types of fiber-optic sensors. These sensors are based on different detection principles to measure, respectively, light ignition, sound pressure, and ozone changes produced by predischarge phenomena on medium voltage (MV) electrical equipments. A multifunctional software interface was developed to manage simultaneous acquisition and processing of all signal outputs. Preliminary tests were performed inside a MV switchboard inducing defects to simulate predischarge phenomena. A first analysis of simultaneous responses of the three sensors confirmed the feasibility of this combined approach as a potential diagnostic tool to assess the condition of MV electrical components.