Theoretical and experimental comparison between power and degree of polarization based optical fiber current sensors

Abstract

This paper presents a theoretical and experimental comparison of two techniques of optical fiber current sensors (OFCS) based on the Faraday Effect: the power and the degree of polarization (DOP) methods. The DOP method is shown to be insensitive to state of polarization (SOP) changes induced by environmental conditions. A maximum variation of 0.4% in the DOP value in the entire range of applied current from 0 to 100 A was measured. It is the first time to our knowledge that this fact was experimentally verified. Also, for the first time known it is reported that zero current response, DOP = 0.996, is in agreement with the theoretical expected value of unitary DOP. Besides, the theoretical and experimental normalized DOP is shown to have a maximum difference of 0.33% in the entire range of applied current. On the other hand, the power method OFCS is greatly affected by SOP changes. In order to be used in a practical application, its complexity must be increased by the use, for example, of polarization maintaining fibers instead of standard fibers used in the DOP method, increasing the cost of the sensor element.

Passive MEMS DC Electric Current Sensors

“…Therefore, it is essential to monitoring the DC electricity consumption so as to establish an effective electricity management system. Various kinds of current sensor devices (Chen et al 2012;Lim et al 2011;Yang et al 2014Yang et al , 2015Leland et al 2010;Phan et al 2015;Zheng et al 2015;Franciscangelis et al 2013) have been developed for different measurement applications.…”