Optical signals measurement of discharge plasma in air switch cabinet using a fluorescent optical fiber as the sensor

Air switch cabinets are widely employed in the power industry, there is, however, no reliable methods for detecting partial discharges (PDs). Because fiber optic-based sensors are easy to install and have anti-electromagnetic interference capabilities, they are well suited for PDs detection in switch cabinets with their many components and metal shell structure. In this work, corona discharge in an air switch cabinet was detected using fluorescent fiber, and the characteristics of PDs were analyzed. Furthermore, experimental investigations were conducted to explore the impact of gas pressure and fiber length on the PDs detection. The results exhibit a correlation between the aforementioned factors and the PDs’ total amplitude, maximum amplitude, number of pulses and detection limit of PD quantity. The results can provide references for the application of fluorescent optical fiber on the PD detection in air switch cabinet.