High electric field measurement and ice detection using a safe probe near power installations

• DOI: 10.1016/j.sna.2004.02.007
• Publication Date: 2004-04-23T12:28:07Z
• Authors: Christine Barthod; Michelle Passard; Jacques Bouillot; Christine Galez; Masoud Farzaneh
• Keywords: Electro-optic effect

Abstract The present study concerns an optical device measuring electric field by using a lithium niobate (LiNbO3) crystal as the sensing medium, without any electrodes. Such a device has the advantage of providing a good galvanic insulation of materials and persons. A likely application is the high electric field measurement near electric power installations (frequency 50–60 Hz). The principle of measurement implements the electro-optic effect in the crystal. The sensing medium has been designed—thanks to finite element simulations—and a probe prototype constructed, with which measurements can be made far away through optical fibers. Experimental setups are developed in order to validate the physical principle, and also to calibrate the probe. As simulation results are in good agreement with experimental results, the behavior of the probe in a real environment is presented. Finally, the use of the probe to detect ice accretion on high power electric cables is proposed and validated.