Detection of overheating in electrical systems based on passive HF RFID technology

The article summarizes the results of a feasibility study of applicability of a popular passive HF (13.56 MHz) RFID technology as a sensing platform for identification of over-heating of electrical terminals in Low Voltage (LV) distribution switchgears. In particular the work addressed the applicability of this RFID technology to identification of overtemperature of terminals of DIN-rail devices resulting from loosened terminals often leading to the development of the glowing connections phenomenon. The work performed was concluded by building a physical proof of concept and by demonstrating technical feasibility of the solution proposed. It has been also demonstrated that miniature HF (13.56 MHz) sensing tags capable of detecting selected physical properties (e.g. overtemperature) are technically feasible. In the case of miniature size devices the realistic communication distance is relatively short (1 cm range) which requires that the reader antenna be located in relatively close proximity to the RFID tags.