Compact Optomagnetic Bragg-Grating-Based Current Sensor for Transmission Lines

Abstract

A compact and practical optomagnetic current sensor intended to be used in power transmission lines is proposed in this paper. The novel sensor is able to retrieve the complete sinusoidal current signal, which is being carried by the line conductor through a fiber Bragg grating, which is attached to a magnetostrictive rod setup excited by dc and AC magnetic fields: a DC magnetic field created by a designed magnetic circuit in order to make the magnetostrictive material operate in its linear region; and an AC magnetic field generated by the current being monitored. Design stages and the proposed sensor configuration are showed in detail, and the assembled sensor head is tested using a power setup exclusively developed to simulate current magnitude levels in a transmission line. Measurement results are compared with those provided by a reference commercial probe, attesting the effectiveness of the novel current sensor, especially in terms of waveform distortion.