Safe Water Temperature Monitoring System Using Optical Fibers

This paper presents the development of an accurate and safe water temperature measurement system based on plastic optical fiber. The principle of operation of the system is based on macro bending of optical fibers and their linear responsiveness to temperature changes at fixed bend radius. Three different configurations were developed, single bend, double bend away from each other and double bend over each other. Five different types of fiber cables and three different wavelengths were tested. A linear relation between the temperature change and the received power was noticed. Great sensitivities were achieved based on type of sensor head and the used wavelength. The developed sensors are flexible and ease the installation process, they can be positioned in hard-to-reach places, are safe as they do not carry electrical current, low cost and not affected by electromagnetic and radio frequency interference.