Remote and non-intrusive diagnostics of high-voltage insulation materials using laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy

A new method for remote and non-intrusive diagnostics of high-voltage insulation and insulation materials is presented. The method is based on laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) spectroscopy. The relationship between the LIF-spectrum and different material and surface characteristics of silicone rubber samples are studied. These characteristics include hydrophobicity, filler content and biological growth. Furthermore, 33-kV silicone rubber insulators that have been naturally aged in a tropical environment have also been studied. We conclude that laser-induced fluorescence has a significant potential to become a highly useful technique for contact-free and non-intrusive monitoring of the status of insulator materials in high-voltage systems.