Types of Power Cables and Cable with Integrated Fibers

This chapter addresses practical issues related to integration of the fiber optic element into power cables. When utilities install brand new circuits, they have the choice of specifying a power cable system with an embedded optical fiber that can be placed in a (stainless) steel, copper, or plastic tube below the outer sheath. The placement of the optical fiber has a direct impact on the interpretation of the power cable conductor temperature from the distributed temperature sensing (DTS) measurements. In 1995, with the support from BC Hydro's Strategic R&D Program and collaboration with the Electric Power Research Institute, a project was completed to demonstrate DTS applications to identify thermal bottlenecks on existing underground transmission cables. The objectives of the project were to: provide real‐time conductor temperature monitoring; and modify the shore‐end cooling system and controls to optimize cable utilization and performance.