Fiber-based Current Monitoring
The Challenge of Modern Power Grids
Our world is rapidly transitioning to renewable energy sources, demanding smarter and more efficient power grids. However, this transition brings new challenges. As we increase the capacity of our power lines to accommodate fluctuating renewable energy, the risk of accelerated cable aging resulting ultimatively into failures increases and lead to grid instabilities. AP Sensing’s Fiber based Current Monitoring (FbCM) mitigates these risks with a permanent monitoring of cable sheath currents distributed along the power cable. This monitoring method can be used both for planning preventive maintenance measures and for classifying faults.
How AP Sensing’s Fiber based Current Monitoring Works
AP Sensing’s FbCM enhances our industry-leading Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) technology by integrating electrical condition monitoring for high-voltage power cables. This innovative system enables users to not only pinpoint cable faults and detect intrusions but also monitor critical sheath currents in real time.
Sheath currents provide vital information about the health of HVAC power cables, signaling issues such as bonding failures, insulation breakdowns, link box flooding, unexpected ground contacts, and sheath damage caused by third-party intrusions (TPI). With AP Sensing’s FbCM solution, monitoring these critical parameters is easy, highly integrated, and exceptionally accurate.
The system works by using a DAS interrogator connected to multiple FbCM sensors, which can be distributed across different locations. These sensors, positioned in remote areas such as manholes or pits, use the existing DAS optical fiber, and no extra power supply is needed.
Benefits & advantages of Fiber based Current Monitoring
AP Sensing’s FbCM technology offers a range of compelling benefits, making it a crucial addition to any DAS-based cable monitoring solution.
Real-time Detection of Critical Issues
FbCM continuously monitors sheath currents, providing instant detection of:
- Bonding issues
- Cable insulation failures
- Link box flooding
- Unwanted ground contacts
- Sheath damage from third-party intrusion (TPI)
Seamless Integration
No special interrogator or additional optical fiber is required. The FbCM sensors operate using the same DAS optical fiber infrastructure, allowing for straightforward integration into both new and existing DAS projects.
Wide Monitoring Coverage
One DAS interrogator can monitor FbCM sensors across multiple locations over distances of up to 50 km, making it highly efficient for extensive infrastructure.
Efficient Retrofitting
Installing FbCM into existing systems is hassle-free, with no need to disconnect power cables.
Key Product Features and Highlights
AP Sensing’s FbCM solution has broad applicability across industries and infrastructure systems that rely on high-voltage AC power cables:
Windfarms that depend on extensive underground power cables benefit from FbCM’s real-time monitoring and fault detection.
FbCM ensures the reliability of power cables by continuously monitoring for insulation failures, bonding issues, and other critical faults.
Applications of Fiber-Based Current Monitoring in Power Systems
AP Sensing’s FbCM solution has broad applicability across industries and infrastructure systems that rely on high-voltage AC power cables:
- Renewable Energy Generation:
Windfarms that depend on extensive underground power cables benefit from FbCM’s real-time monitoring and fault detection.
- Power Transmission and Distribution:
FbCM ensures the reliability of power cables by continuously monitoring for insulation failures, bonding issues, and other critical faults.
Key Takeaways
AP Sensing’s FbCM is a highly valuable extension for the scope of DAS enabling a more holistic monitoring solution, making it easier than ever to safeguard your critical infrastructure with a solution that’s both highly integrated and future-ready.
Our team of application engineers will work with you to integrate FbCM into your monitoring solution. We’ll help you optimize system performance, ensuring seamless integration with the DAS solution while balancing cost efficiency, data accuracy, and long-term reliability for safeguarding your critical infrastructure.
Patent pending. This product is not available in the USA and the UK.