Optical sensor for monitoring SF6 dissociation in high-voltage switchgear

Rudi Irawan; Giuseppe B. Scelsi; Gerry A. Woolsey

doi:10.1117/12.397881

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31 August 2000 Optical sensor for monitoring SF6 dissociation in high-voltage switchgear

Rudi Irawan, Giuseppe B. Scelsi, Gerry A. Woolsey

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Proceedings Volume 4074, Applications of Optical Fiber Sensors; (2000) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.397881
Event: Symposium on Applied Photonics, 2000, Glasgow, United Kingdom

Abstract

Sulphur hexafluoride (SF₆) is used as an insulator in high voltage systems. Electrical breakdown in such a system dissociates SF₆ into sulphur fluorides, sulphur and fluorine. Some of these products react with contaminants such as water vapor and oxygen, and with metal surfaces and electrodes, to produce by-products including gaseous sulphur oxyfluorides, hydrogen fluoride and solid by-products. A reduction in SF₆ concentration occurs, and the insulating efficiency of the system is degraded. If the SF₆ is not renewed, failure of the system can occur. A monitoring system for SF₆ loss is required, and since SF₆ insulating systems involve high voltages and electromagnetic interference, optical monitoring provides the best approach. This paper describes the development of an optical sensing technique for continuous monitoring of SF₆ degradation in high-voltage switchgear. Dissociation products of the SF₆ discharge include HF and atomic fluorine, both of which react readily with silica. This reactivity is utilized in our sensor, where etching of a glass fiber surface modifies the transmission characteristics of the fiber. By monitoring the transmitted signal, information on SF₆ dissociation is obtained. The sensor is economical to produce, easy to use, and can be readily retrofitted.

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Rudi Irawan, Giuseppe B. Scelsi, and Gerry A. Woolsey "Optical sensor for monitoring SF6 dissociation in high-voltage switchgear", Proc. SPIE 4074, Applications of Optical Fiber Sensors, (31 August 2000); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.397881

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