Volume: 2, 2023
2nd International PhD Student’s Conference at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland:
ENVIRONMENT – PLANT – ANIMAL – PRODUCT
Abstract number: T028
DOI: https://doi.org/10.24326/ICDSUPL2.T028
Published online: 19 April 2023
ICDSUPL, 2, T028 (2023)
Fiber-optic sensor for measuring pressure in medium-voltage vacuum extinguishing chambers
Damian Kostyła1*, Paweł Węgierek1
1 Department of Electrical Equipment and High Voltage Technology , Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science , Lublin University of Technology, Nadbystrzycka 38 A, 20-618, Lublin, Poland
* Corresponding author: d.kostyla@pollub.pl
Abstract
Medium-voltage switching equipment used in power grids typically uses gaseous media as an insulating and quenching medium. The two most commonly used gases in gas-insulated equipment are sulphur hexafluoride and vacuum. According to the latest European Parliament regulation of 5 April 2022 mandating that newly installed or replaced medium-voltage switchgear up to 24 kV and up to 52 kV placed on the market after 1 January 2026 and 1 January 2030, respectively, should base their insulation on media with a greenhouse effect potential (GWP100) of no more than 10. This date can be considered the end of SF6-insulated equipment. The use of vacuum equipment, despite a number of advantages, also causes a number of complications and problems. One of these is the need to measure the pressure in the vacuum apparatus, since the insulating properties of the porosity are preserved up to a pressure not exceeding 1 Pa. Above this value, the dielectric strength of the vacuum drastically decreases, posing a real threat to the operation of the energy system and to human life and health. There are methods for determining the pressure in drained devices, but the vast majority require the device to be removed from the network and voltage tested in a laboratory, which generates additional costs and increases reliability factors. Fibre-optic sensors for the detection of deformation due to applied pressure, due to their small size, light weight, resistance to electromagnetic interference and high sensitivity, have come to the attention of researchers and measurement system manufacturers as a potential material for the development of a pressure sensing system. In addition to a number of advantages, fibre-optic technology has the significant disadvantage of being susceptible to temperature effects, which is why compensation systems are used and measurement systems must be equipped with reference temperature measurement elements. Despite the problems caused by the need for temperature compensation, it can be assumed that the future of pressure sensing belongs to fibre-optic technology. Ideally, the development of an on-line pressure measurement system for extinguishing chambers based on fibre-optic technology will make it possible to predict potential faults, eliminate the need for periodic inspections of vacuum equipment and minimise the increase in reliability factors caused by planned outages, thereby increasing the quality and continuity of the electricity supply to consumers.
How to cite
D. Kostyła, P. Węgierek, 2023. Fiber-optic sensor for measuring pressure in medium-voltage vacuum extinguishing chambers. In: 2nd International PhD Student’s Conference at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland: Environment – Plant – Animal – Product. https://doi.org/10.24326/ICDSUPL2.T028