A Fiber Bragg Grating—Bimetal Temperature Sensor for Solar Panel Inverters

Abstract

This paper reports the design, characterization and implementation of a Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG)-based temperature sensor for an Insulted-Gate Bipolar Transistor (IGBT) in a solar panel inverter. The FBG is bonded to the higher Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (CTE) side of a bimetallic strip to increase its sensitivity. Characterization results show a linear relationship between increasing temperature and the wavelength shift. It is found that the sensitivity of the sensor can be categorized into three characterization temperature regions between 26 °C and 90 °C. The region from 41 °C to 90 °C shows the highest sensitivity, with a value of 14 pm/°C. A new empirical model that considers both temperature and strain effects has been developed for the sensor. Finally, the FBG-bimetal temperature sensor is placed in a solar panel inverter and results confirm that it can be used for real-time monitoring of the IGBT temperature.

A High-Precision Adaptive Thermal Network Model for Monitoring of Temperature Variations in Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor (IGBT) Modules

“…Simultaneously, ever more formidable working conditions and stricter operating conditions require higher quality. Almost 60% of power equipment failure results from higher junction temperatures caused by heat and increase of the thermal resistance or extra power loss, according to relevant data [10][11][12]. The reliability research of semiconductors depends on accurate measurement of the junction temperature.…”

Prototype fiber Bragg Grattings (FBG) sensor based on intensity modulation of the laser diode low frequency vibrations measurement

“…FBG has several advantages over the others. It is relatively easy in fabrication, has good stability, small in size, has good resistant to electromagnetic waves, and easy connects to a network [3]. FBG is widely applied in smart materials and structures for measuring strain and vibration.…”

“…Optical method has several advantages such as high sensitivity, responsive and also resistant to interference of electromagnetic wave. Optical method can be applied in various sensors like temperature, pressure, and weight in motion sensor [3,4,5,6].…”

“…FBG can also be developed for measuring temperature, humidity, pressure, deformation and displacement, electric currents and magnetic fields [7]. Other applications of FBG sensor are medical endoscopes, concentration monitoring of chemical solution, and corrosion monitoring of steel [2,3].…”

Thermal Monitoring of Photovoltaic module using Optical Fiber Sensors

“…FBG sensors have been utilized to measure temperature in inverters in photovoltaic systems [12,13]. Such power circuits are used to convert constant currents (CC) to alternate currents (AC).…”