Optical Fiber for Energy Applications

As the smart grid develops, accurate and instant information on the electrical power loading is required. Subsequently, fiber optic current sensors have been developed, which allow almost instant measurement of the electrical current at any point within the network. These fiber optic current sensors (FOCS), also known as optical current transformers for optimizing the fiber optic Faraday effect to allow monitoring of current in high voltage power lines and transformers. Fibercore’s spun fiber is at the heart of products where high stability fiber design is critical to enable high accuracy current sensing. The fibers allow highly sensitive and accurate current sensing over a wide range of environmental conditions, including: temperature variation and vibration, suitable for the rigors of real life applications. In addition to the spun fiber within the product range, Fibercore’s PM fiber for delay lines and Zing™ for depolarizers are used in combination to result in world-class current sensors.