Temperature sensing in a 175MW power generator

Abstract

The surface temperature of a high power generator stator in operation at a hydroelectric power plant is measured using fiber Bragg grating sensors. Insulation breakdown due to high voltage is a major problem in large electric generators and very hard to detect at early stages. Giving the high temperatures that raise from this process the insulation degradation can be detected as function of temperature. Fiber Bragg grating temperature sensors appear is a promising technology since they can easily be embedded into the insulation with no harm for the generator.