Two-Dimensional Material-Based Fluorescent Optical Fiber for Early Detection of Partial Discharge

The present work deals with a 2-D material-based modification of a fluorescent optic fiber sensor for enhanced condition monitoring of partial discharge (PD) activity in power transformers. Different PD sources were simulated and experimentally demonstrated to compare the performance of the sensor with traditional techniques. The sensor is fabricated by adopting the dip coating process for modifying the fluorescent optic fiber with 2-D-based graphene materials. The Raman spectrum on fiber indicates the G, D, and 2-D bands of graphene as evidence of coating. Irrespective of the PD source, a 2-D-based sensor is found to be efficient in detecting discharges at the inception stage in comparison to conventional techniques. Its optical spectral component blue shifts from visible wavelengths to ultraviolet (UV) wavelengths. Discharge signal analysis exhibits better response time and energy content, irrespective of discharge sources. This fiber optic technique is used to detect transient voltages, which could overcome the drawbacks of conventional and electrical methods for PD detection.