Optical Fiber Sensors for Structural Monitoring in Power Transformers
Catarina S. Monteiro,
António V. Rodrigues,
Duarte Viveiros,
Cassiano Linhares,
Hélder Mendes,
Susana O. Silva,
Paulo V. S. Marques,
Sérgio M. O. Tavares,
Orlando Frazão
Affiliations
Catarina S. Monteiro
Department of Engineering Physics, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, R. Dr. Roberto Frias, s/n, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
António V. Rodrigues
Department of Engineering Physics, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, R. Dr. Roberto Frias, s/n, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
Duarte Viveiros
Department of Engineering Physics, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, R. Dr. Roberto Frias, s/n, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
Cassiano Linhares
Efacec Energia, Máquinas e Equipamentos Eléctricos, S.A., Apartado 1018, 4466-952 Porto, Portugal
Hélder Mendes
Efacec Energia, Máquinas e Equipamentos Eléctricos, S.A., Apartado 1018, 4466-952 Porto, Portugal
Susana O. Silva
Centre for Applied Photonics, Institute for Systems and Computer Engineering, Technology and Science (INESC TEC), Rua do Campo Alegre, 687, 4150-179 Porto, Portugal
Paulo V. S. Marques
Department of Engineering Physics, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, R. Dr. Roberto Frias, s/n, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
Sérgio M. O. Tavares
Efacec Energia, Máquinas e Equipamentos Eléctricos, S.A., Apartado 1018, 4466-952 Porto, Portugal
Orlando Frazão
Centre for Applied Photonics, Institute for Systems and Computer Engineering, Technology and Science (INESC TEC), Rua do Campo Alegre, 687, 4150-179 Porto, Portugal
Power transformers are central elements of power transmission systems and their deterioration can lead to system failures, causing major disruptions in service. Catastrophic failures can occur, posing major environmental hazards due to fires, explosions, or oil spillage. Early fault detection can be accomplished or estimated using electrical sensors or a chemical analysis of oil or gas samples. Conventional methods are incapable of real-time measurements with a low electrical noise due to time-consuming analyses or susceptibility to electromagnetic interference. Optical fiber sensors, passive elements that are immune to electromagnetic noise, are capable of structural monitoring by being enclosed in power transformers. In this work, optical fiber sensors embedded in 3D printed structures are studied for vibration monitoring. The fiber sensor is encapsulated between two pressboard spacers, simulating the conditions inside the power transformer, and characterized for vibrations with frequencies between 10 and 800 Hz, with a constant acceleration of 10 m/s2. Thermal aging and electrical tests are also accomplished, aiming to study the oil compatibility of the 3D printed structure. The results reported in this work suggest that structural monitoring in power transformers can be achieved using optical fiber sensors, prospecting real-time monitoring.
