Calibrating and testing a sensor with triple ability to measure moisture, vibration and temperature

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Power transformers are important and one of the costliest equipment used in the transmission and distribution**of the electric energy. Despite great progresses in their design in recent years, the Achilles heel still remains the**insulation system. When power transformers fail, the fault can be traced usually to defective insulation.**Unexpected failures cause major disturbances to operating systems, resulting in unscheduled outages and**power delivery problems. Extreme reliability is demanded of electric power distribution as when failures occur**they inevitably lead to high repair costs, long downtime and possible personnel safety risks. By accurately**monitoring the condition of the insulation (moisture ingress, temperature, vibration, etc.) many types of faults**can be discovered before they become serious failures and outages.**Some of the research and development accomplishments by QPS during the past years have resulted in the**development of a Phase Shifted Gratings recoated sensor with multilayers of polyimide films. This fiber optic**sensor is designed to help plant owners monitor moisture, vibration and temperature inside oil filled**transformers. The proposed research aims at analysing field test data records and accurately calibrating the**sensor. The knowledge and technology that will develop from the proposed research are of great importance to**both Canadian manufacturing and power utility industries. The sensor has high potential for on-line monitoring**of transformers. Using the improved sensor will provide solutions to transformers integrity in smart grids,**assuring the system reliability.