Brief Review on Optical Fiber Sensing for the Power Grid

Abstract

In this work, a brief review on the application of fiber optic sensors on power grid apparatus is presented. Power transformers, which are the nodes between electrical transmission lines, are the most expensive, critical and one of the central units of this network. The failure of electrical machines compromises the whole grid leading to power outages and income losses. Thus, constant monitoring of structural health and operating conditions of core infrastructures is sought. With different types of sensors either on the market or in the literature, it is possible to measure physical parameters that make this equipment more reliable.

Keywords

• smart grid
• power transformer
• transmission line
• optical fiber sensor
• fabry-perot
• bragg grating
• distributed sensing
• health monitoring