Latest Technology in Current Measurement - Compress

Optical Technology in Current Measurement Seminar Report
ABSTRACT
In recent years, electric utilities have been evaluating optical sensors to
measure current and voltage. These devises are proving their value, especially in
applications where accurate measurement over wider dynamic range, ability to retrofit,
and improved safety are the main concern. Optically powered current transformers are
used to measure currents and transmit the data from high voltage system to ground
potential using state of the art laser technology. The fundamentals of this technology
include the idea of using fiber optic cables to isolate the current transformers from ground
potential.
This document describes and specifies optically powered current transformer
(OPCT) technology used in high voltage applications to measure currents for protection
or metering purposes. They are well suited for advanced functionality of leading –edge
protective relays and meters and for compatibility with digital communications in modern
substations.
www.seminarsTopics.com 1
CONTENTS Page No
1. INTRODUCTION 1
2. OPTICALLY POWERED CURRENT
TRANSFORMER
2.1 Overview 3
2.2 Description 5
2.3 Current Transformer 8
2.4 Signal Column 8
2.5 Fiber Optic Cable 9
3. FIBER OPTIC CURRENT SENSOR
3.1 Basic Configuration 10
3.2 New Configuration 11
3.3 Polarizer Response And Operating Points. 12
4. ADVANTAGES 13
5. APPLICATIONS 17
6. APPENTIX 19
7. CONCLUTION 20
8. REFERENCES/ BIBLIOGRAPHY 21
1. Introduction
Over the past 15 years, optical current sensors have received significant
attention by a number or search groups around the world as next generation high
voltage measurement devises, with a view to replacing iron-core current transformers in
the electric power industry. Optical current sensors bring the significant advantages that
they are non-conductive and lightweight, which can allow for much simpler insulation
and mounting the designs. In addition, optical sensors do not exhibit hysteresis and
provide a much larger dynamic range and frequency response than iron-core CT’s. A
common theme of many of the optical current sensors is that they work on the principle
of the Faraday effect. Current measurement plays an important role in protection and
control of electric power systems. With the development of the conventional CT, the
accuracy of the CT is up to 0.2% in the steady state power system. However many
disadvantages of the conventional CT appear with the short circuit capacities of electric
power systems getting larger and the voltage levels going higher for example,
saturation under fault current conditions, ferroresonance effects, potential for
catastrophic failure etc. Today there is number of interest in using optical current
transformer (OCT) to measure the electric current by means of Faraday effect. The
benefits of an OCT are the inverse of the conventional CT’s problems. That is, no
saturation under fault current conditions, with out iron core and there fore no
ferroresonance effects, with out oil and there fore cannot explode, light weight, small
size, etc.
A common theme of many of the optical current sensors is that they work on the
principle of the Faraday effect. Current flowing in a conductor induces a magnetic field,
which, through the Faraday effect, rotates the plane of polarization of the light traveling
in a sensing path encircling the conductor. Ampere’s law guarantees that if the light is
uniformly sensitive to magnetic field all along the sensing path, and the sensing path
defines a closed loop, then the accumulated rotation of the plane of polarization of the
light is directly proportional to the current flowing in the enclosed wire. The sensor is
insensitive to all externally generated magnetic fields such as those created by currents
flowing in near by wires. A measurement of the polarization state rotation thus yields a
measurement of the desired current. The technology originated 8 years ago to measure
currents in Series Capacitor installations. Since then, it has been introduced not only to
Series Capacitor and Thyristor Controlled Series Capacitor installations (FACTS), but
also into High Voltage Direct Current Systems (HVDC). These FACTS & HVDC
systems gain their very high availability and reliability using the optically powered CT
technology. Further integration of the optically powered technology has led to an
economical and solid metering and protection current transformer without any of the
known environmental problems associated with the oil or SF6-gas filled technology.
2. OPTICALLY POWERED CURRENT TRANSFORMER
2.1 OVERVIEW
Researchers have perfected the OPCT to measure currents and transmit
the data from high voltage system to ground potential using state of the art Laser
technology. The fundamental of this technology includes the idea of using fiber optic
cables to isolate the current transformers from ground potentials. The advantages of the
optically powered scheme compared to the conventional, high voltage, free standing
magnetic CT include an environmentally friendly, light weight, non seismic critical
composite signal column together with proven, conventional, low voltage rated ‘dry type’
CT technology.
The overall OPCT functional blocks are demonstrated in figure. 2. The
sensor itself is a low voltage rated CT together with burden resister. Both are certified for
the desired protection and metering application. The voltage output of this sensor head is
fed in to the Optically Powered Data Link (OPDL), which is the core of this technology.
The fibers, which connect the ground and the HV remote OPDL units together, can be
separated in to two links. The first is the composite insulator with the incorporated fiber,
which is connected at the high voltage side to the remote unit of the OPDL. The second
link comprises the ground side of the signal column, which is connected to the fiber cable
wired to the control. The receiving unit in the existing control enclosure provides the
signal output for either the protection relays or/and the metering and monitoring
equipment. Figure. 2 show a picture of the complete OPCT system.
This system consists of four basic elements as shown in Figt.1.
2.2 Description of the Optically Powered Data Link (OPDL)
The OPDL system can be divided in to a remote unit at high voltage
potential and a local unit, which is based in the sub station control room or an existing
control enclosure. This unit houses the laser with its associated laser driver and the data
recovery circuitry. The laser system used for this application can couple a maximum
optical power of 1.5 Watt in to the power link fiber. These lasers are not to be very
reliable with a long life time (MTBF: >100,000 h). A self-check Function supervises all
vital functions of the OPCT. An alarm will be initiated long before the laser reaches the
end of its life time indicating necessary maintenance. A trip signal will be set if the
system has identified a misoperation.
Depending on the metering or relay scheme, this unit can provide a digital
serial output, +/- 10Volts (full scale) or a current loop of 1 amp (nominal) @ maximum
20 or 40 VA. The power to operate this unit can conveniently be supplied by any station
power supply. The OPDL local ground unit is connected by two optical fibers, a power
fiber and a data link, to the remote electronic board at the high voltage system. The
remote unit is shielded against any EMI or RFI noise and converts the voltage drop
across the CT burden resistor in to digital signals. The electrical power to operate this
unit provided by the photovoltaic power converter that is connected to the laser over one
of the fiber optical links with a conversion efficiency of up to 40 %. The remote system
provides two A/D channels with a sampling rate of 40 kHz each corresponding to a
bandwidth of 15kHz (250 Harmonics@60Hz system!). The performance of this board is
below 1% error for protection purposes at nominal value and a range of 30p u and
exceeds Class 0.2 for metering accuracy. The output of the A/D converter together with
some data control and supervisory signals make up a serial data stream, which is
converted in to light pulses and coupled in to the data fiber. In addition to the data stream,
the voltage of the remote board is monitored for safety reasons and for control of the laser
output.
To ensure the capability for a remote calibration of the electronic circuitry, a very
precise voltage source is incorporated into the design, which can be connected in to the
data path from the local unit while being in a calibration in a test mode.
The schematic of the OPDL system are shown in Fig. 3 and Fig. 4.
2.3 CURRENT TRANSFORMER
The current transformer used for the OPCT can either be a CT designed for
metering or protection class accuracy or a resistive shunt. These transformers are dry
type, out door rated systems. Since a signal column provides the high voltage isolation,
these CT s can be of a low voltage 600V(720V Europe) type.
A high precision, low drift burden resistor together with the CT provides the
voltage input for the OPDL system. The burden resistor and an input protection filter are
housed together with the remote circuitry in a shielded enclosure to provide immunity
against EMI and RFI disturbance. This combined unit is lightweight (about 15 pounds),
which allows easy installation hence limiting the system outage time to a minimum. The
unit is mechanically protected fiber link connects the unit to the signal column.
The CT and burden resistors are available in all common current ratings.
The output voltage of the burden resistor is adjusted to the full range of interest (i.e. 30 p.
u. for protection).
2.4 SIGNAL COLUMN
The signal column, well known in series capacitor application is used to
guide the optical fiber from high voltage potential down to ground potential. It is a
lightweight structure similar to suspension insulators made of composite, silicone
material. The fibers at both ends are connectorized to enable fast and flexible
installations. The voltage levels determine length and shape of the signal columns, which
will be adapted to the actual requirements. Also depending on the actual application,
many different mechanical adaptors are available to mount the signal column to the bus
bar or the power poll as well as the mounting connection at ground potential. A connector
box is supplied at the bottom of the signal column to connect the fiber cable. The signal
column houses two, 200/230 um multimode HCS fibers with FC connectors at both ends
for each pair of CT s plus one spare fiber.
2.5 FIBER OPTICAL CABLE
A fiber optical cable is used to connect the local unit with the signal
column. This cable can be pulled through existing cable trenches or directly buried. The
end is connected to the signal column using either connectors or splicing technology. All
cables are approved to meet the necessary standards and are Kevlar free. The fiber optic
cable houses either three (one spare) 200/230 um HCS fibers for a single installation or
nine (three spare) fibers of the same kind, for use in a 3 phase installation.
The amount of fibers depends on the actual cores installed at high
potential. One OPDL unit with two fiber connections (one for power, one for data) can
transmit signals out of two cores to the ground level. If more cores are needed, the
amount of fibers has tom be increased accordingly.
3. FIBEROPTIC CURRENT SENSOR
Fiber optics current sensor offer some advantages compared to the classical
current transformer. The intrinsic insulation of the optical fiber is a key feature for high
voltage installations. It is possible to use it without any risk of discharge with the ground.
In addition they offer a total immunity to stray magnetic fields and show a wide
bandwidth making the observations of harmonics and transients possible. Finally, optical
fiber is very small, so the design of light and compact sensors is easy and performances
are comparable with those of the traditional sensors, themselves heavy and bulky. Its
installation is moreover quick, simple and can be done without interrupting the electric
circuit to measure.
Producing commercial optical current sensors is still challenging and
prototypes are being developed mainly in two different flavors: bulk, and fiber
polarimetric sensors. Bulk current sensors are realized using high Verdet constant
crystals, resulting in an excellent sensitivity. Optical fibers show a lower Verdet constant,
but winding many turns of the fiber around the conductor results in an improved
sensitivity. The polarimetric method measures the rotation of a linear polarization while
the interferometric configuration using a Sagnac interferometer measures the non-
reciprocal phase shift.
3.1 BACIC FIBER OPTICAL CURRENT SENSOR
A basic polarimetric current sensor is shown below
The measurement is based on the Faraday Effect. In presence of a magnetic
field, a linearly polarized light experiences a non-reciprocal rotation of an angle
proportional to the magnetic field. Considering a closed loop of fiber, according to the
Gauss theorem, this angle is simply proportional to the electrical current flowing through
the sensing coil times the number of turn of fiber wound around the conductor. Fiber
optic current sensors measure the exact integral of the magnetic field along the closed
loop created by the fiber. As a comparison, bulk sensors and traditional sensors only
measure this integral imperfectly thus current measurement use a fiber optic sensor does
not depend anymore on the position of the conductor inside the optical fiber loop .Hence,
the to tray magnetic fields , coming for example from conducts out of the fiber coil, is
perfect.
3.2 NEW POLARIMETRIC CONFIGURATION
New polarimetric configuration is also developed in the Metrology
Laboratory of EPFL . The advantages of this simple and many sensors effective
configuration is to require no adjustment at all of the optical element and its accuracy is
very tolerant on their actual vale .These features may be decisive to obtain robust sensor.
This was possible through the insertion of a in-line 22.5 Y degree Faraday rotator (or
22.5+n…45Ydegreerotator) as shown in below
The optical configuration is simple and based on the back-and-forth propagation
through all successive optical elements, the position of reciprocal and non
reciprocal elements being crucial. Let first assume no electrical current in the
conductor. The polarizer and experiences 22.5Y degree rotation through the
Faraday rotator linearly polarize the light. The sensing fiber is mechanically twisted
and is thus predominantly circularly birefringent, so that the light polarization
remains linear while propagating through the sensing fiber, though experiencing a
reciprocal rotation. The light is reflected back by the mirror and, at the Faraday
rotator input on the way back, the polarization has the same orientation as in the
forward propagation (configuration A). After the additional 22.5Y degree rotation,
the polarization is oriented at 45Y degree with respect to the polarizer axis.
The linear polarization is therefore just set at the half transmitting point of the
polarizer according to the well-known squared cosine low. When the electrical current is
applied, it produces a magnetic field that rotates the linear polarization by an angle
proportional to the integral to the magnetic field along the fiber. So that any small
rotation of the polarization results in a linear variation of the transmitted intensity.
3.3 POLARIZER RESPONSE AND OPERATING POINTS.
It is possible to substitute the standard mirror by a Faraday Rotation Mirror
(FRM) to make the system much more immune to a possible residual birefringence, at the
expense of a less cost-effective setup (configuration B). The sensing fiber is never strictly
free of birefringence, so that the use of a FRM cancels the effect of this birefringence and
its variations. In absence of electrical current the polarization of the backward
propagating light is, at any point, orthogonal to the polarization of the light traveling in
the forward direction. For instance if a light wave travels along the fast axis of a
birefringent fiber in the forward direction, it travels along the slow axis in the backward
direction, making the effect of any birefringence canceled. This particular case can be
generalized to any state of polarization by the usual expansion on the eigenaxes of the
fiber birefringence.
An immediate effect of the FRM is to shift the operating point from 45
degree to 135 degree. Actually this only changes the sign of the scaling factor.
The figure below represents a measurement showing the unprocessed optical-electrical
transfer function.
Calibration measurement
This sensor offers some important improvements: first it is a self-stable configuration and
no optical adjustment is required, resulting in accuracy immune to manufacturing issues.
Then, the use of a non-ideal Faraday rotator and mirror does not significantly reduce the
accuracy. Finally, this configuration compensates the possible residual linear
birefringence in the sensing fiber, the temperature variation of the fiber circular
birefringence and is greatly immune to vibrations.
4. ADVANTAGES OF OPTICAL TECHNOLOGY
Primary advantages of this optical technology over conventional inductive and
capacitive measurement transformers include:- high performance for metering (better
than Class 0.2) and protection (<1% error;20 – 30 p.u. range)
. Digital Technology
. High accuracy (exceeds IEC Class 0.2 and IEEE Class 0.3accuracy
requirements)
. Wide Dynamic Range
. High bandwidth
. Reduced size and weight
. Safe and environment friendly (avoids oil or SF6)
. Low maintenance
. Modular design
. Fast installation
. Low power consumption
. Easy to relocate
5. APPLICATIONS OF OPTIC FIBER SENSOR
5.1 OPTICAL FIBER SENSOR-BASED DETECTION OF PARTIAL
DISCHARGE IN POWER TRANSFORMERS
Catastrophic failures of power transformers can occur without warning resulting
in serious oil spills, fires, and extensive damage to adjacent equipment, and major
disruption of service. Very often, partial discharges (PDs) are involved in those dielectric
breakdowns by degrading the insulation property of transformer oil. It is important to
study and monitor the partial discharge activity to detect incipient insulation problems, to
prevent catastrophic failures, and prevent extensive costs.
5.2 FIBER OPTIC SENSORS CAPABLE OF OPERATION ABOVE
1500’C
Researchers have performed pioneering research on the development of
various types of sapphire fiber sensors and related technologies. The developed sapphire
fiber-based sensors can be used for measuring temperature, strain, and pressure in high
temperature (>1500 degrees C) environments, particularly to meet the power industry’s
needs for monitoring and control of high temperature industrial processes.
5.3 FIBER SENSOR TECHNOLOGIES FOR EFFICIENT AND
ECONOMICAL OIL RECOVERY
Researchers are developing reliable, cost-effective optical fiber sensors for
monitoring of pressure, temperature, oil flow, and acoustic waves in down hole oil wells.
Such information is crucial to oil companies, which use the data to regulate oil recovery
to make recovery as efficient as possible. The complete extraction of oil reserves in
existing reservoirs has been hampered by the limited capabilities of sensors to withstand
the harsh conditions of the down hole environment, the sensors’ limited life spans, and
their expense.
6. APPENDIX
Faraday discovered that the orientation of linearly polarized light was
rotated under the influence of a magnetic field when the light propagated in Faraday
sensors, and the amount of the rotation observed for any given substance is found by
experiment to be proportional to the field strength B and to the distance the light travels
through medium [1]. The relation can express this rotation as follows:
r=dl B V e (1)
Where B is the magnetic induction in teals, l is the length of the light path in
meters, e is the angle of the rotation in minutes of arc, and V is a constant, called the
Verdet constant, and defined as the rotation per unit path per unit field strength. Figure. 1
shows the concept of the Faraday effect.
Concept of the Faraday effect
According to Ampere’s law, when the linearly polarized light encircles a current l
carrying conductor, equation(1) can be rewritten as follows:
IV n r = u e(2)
where u is the permeability of the material, and n is the turns of the optical path.
Recently, the OCT s almost is based on the equation (2), because the rotation angle e is
directly related to the enclosed current.
7. CONCLUSION
Our industry is changing and innovation from a range of fields will
influence its future. We will benefit from technical advances in fiber optics, electronic
design, power engineering and software design. Optical sensor technology could truly
revolutionize the transmission and distribution industry. With an inherently digital signal,
optical sensors can be utilized in ways that are not possible with conventional analog
signals. Imagine an all encompassing digital substation with digital communication
between voltage and current sensors, relays, meters, controls, SCADA functions, breakers
and switches. Design, maintenance, testing and commissioning within a substation could
be streamlined considerably.
8. REFERENCES
[1]’’Optic fiber sensor Technology’’. K.T Grattan, IEEE Industrial application, 2000.
[2] Optoelectronics and fiber optics communication by C.K Sarkar and D.C Sarkar.
[3] Sites accessed
[4]” Optical interconnects in systems” .Levi. A. F. J.
www. Photonicpower.com
www. optc.com

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Optical Technology in Current Measurement Seminar Report

In recent years, electric utilities have been evaluating optical sensors to

This document describes and specifies optically powered current transformer

2. OPTICALLY POWERED CURRENT

2.3 Current Transformer 8

2.4 Signal Column 8

2.5 Fiber Optic Cable 9

3. FIBER OPTIC CURRENT SENSOR

3.1 Basic Configuration 10

3.2 New Configuration 11

3.3 Polarizer Response And Operating Points. 12

voltage measurement devises, with a view to replacing iron-core current transformers in

saturation under fault current conditions, ferroresonance effects, potential for

technology. Further integration of the optically powered technology has led to an

2. OPTICALLY POWERED CURRENT TRANSFORMER

Researchers have perfected the OPCT to measure currents and transmit

magnetic CT include an environmentally friendly, light weight, non seismic critical

The overall OPCT functional blocks are demonstrated in figure. 2. The

equipment. Figure. 2 show a picture of the complete OPCT system.

This system consists of four basic elements as shown in Figt.1.

2.2 Description of the Optically Powered Data Link (OPDL)

The OPDL system can be divided in to a remote unit at high voltage

system has identified a misoperation.

bandwidth of 15kHz (250 Harmonics@60Hz system!). The performance of this board is

2.3 CURRENT TRANSFORMER

these CT s can be of a low voltage 600V(720V Europe) type.

2.4 SIGNAL COLUMN

The signal column, well known in series capacitor application is used to

lightweight structure similar to suspension insulators made of composite, silicone

for each pair of CT s plus one spare fiber.

2.5 FIBER OPTICAL CABLE

The amount of fibers depends on the actual cores installed at high

amount of fibers has tom be increased accordingly.

3. FIBEROPTIC CURRENT SENSOR

Producing commercial optical current sensors is still challenging and

the interferometric configuration using a Sagnac interferometer measures the non-

reciprocal phase shift.

3.1 BACIC FIBER OPTICAL CURRENT SENSOR

A basic polarimetric current sensor is shown below

The measurement is based on the Faraday Effect. In presence of a magnetic

field, a linearly polarized light experiences a non-reciprocal rotation of an angle

3.2 NEW POLARIMETRIC CONFIGURATION

New polarimetric configuration is also developed in the Metrology

22.5+n…45Ydegreerotator) as shown in below

The optical configuration is simple and based on the back-and-forth propagation

and is thus predominantly circularly birefringent, so that the light polarization

rotation of the polarization results in a linear variation of the transmitted intensity.

3.3 POLARIZER RESPONSE AND OPERATING POINTS.

It is possible to substitute the standard mirror by a Faraday Rotation Mirror

its variations. In absence of electrical current the polarization of the backward

An immediate effect of the FRM is to shift the operating point from 45

The figure below represents a measurement showing the unprocessed optical-electrical

no optical adjustment is required, resulting in accuracy immune to manufacturing issues.

accuracy. Finally, this configuration compensates the possible residual linear

birefringence and is greatly immune to vibrations.

4. ADVANTAGES OF OPTICAL TECHNOLOGY

Primary advantages of this optical technology over conventional inductive and

capacitive measurement transformers include:- high performance for metering (better

than Class 0.2) and protection (<1% error;20 – 30 p.u. range)

. Wide Dynamic Range

. Reduced size and weight

. Safe and environment friendly (avoids oil or SF6)

. Low power consumption