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A fiber-optic current sensor for aerospace applications

Conference ·
OSTI ID:10180583
 [1]; ; ;  [2]
  1. Lewis Research Center, Cleveland, OH (United States)
  2. National Institute of Standards and Technology, Boulder, CO (United States)

A robust, accurate, broad-band, alternating current sensor using fiber optics is being developed for space applications at power frequencies as high as 20 kHz. It can also be used in low and high voltage 60 Hz terrestrial power systems and in 400 Hz aircraft systems. It is intrinsically EMI immune and has the added benefit of excellent isolation. The sensor uses the Faraday effect in optical fiber and standard polarimetric measurements to sense electrical current. The primary component of the sensor is a specially treated coil of single-mode optical fiber, through which the current carrying conductor passes. Improved precision is accomplished by temperature compensation by means of signals from a novel fiber-optic temperature sensor embedded in the sensing head. This paper reports on the technology contained in the sensor and also relates the results of precision tests conducted at various temperatures within the wide operating range. It also shows the results of early EMI tests.

Research Organization:
National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Cleveland, OH (United States). Lewis Research Center
Sponsoring Organization:
National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Washington, DC (United States); USDOE, Washington, DC (United States); Defense Nuclear Agency, Washington, DC (United States)
DOE Contract Number:
AI03-86SF16310
OSTI ID:
10180583
Report Number(s):
NASA-TM--103152; CONF-900801--48; ON: DE94051205
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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