Fiber Optics in High Voltage

Transmission Environments

EE 566 October 8, 2003

By: Jason Jones
 My Reason for Choosing This
Topic
Find a Combination Between Fiber Optics
and Power Engineering
This is looking at Fiber Optics in an
alternative industry

Fig. 1 Fig. 2
 Overview

1. Basics of fiber optic and electrical

transmission lines
2. Different uses of fiber optic cable in the
transmission grid system
3. Employment options
4. Conclusion/summary
 Can high voltage electricity be
sent through fiber optics cable?

No conclusive evidence or research

has shown that it is possible.
Only the use of converters, still not
practical for long distances and high
voltage.
 Why use fiber optics with
transmission lines?
Sensing and detection of electrical faults and
failure(i.e Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition
Systems S.C.A.D.A)
Can be used as a neutral or ground.
No EMC/EMI issues.
Communication between plants and substations
Extensive ROW (Right Of Way). The cost advantages
of existing ROW makes utilities attractive line-
leasing partners for many communications carriers.
 Combination of Two
Different Concepts
Fiber optic cables Electric cables
1. Transmits light 1. Transmits
(photons) electricity
2. Primarily for (electrons)
communications 2. Primarily for
powering electrical
devices
Most commonly used Fiber Optic

All Dielectric Self Supporting (ADSS)

Wrap type
Optical Ground Wire (OPGW)
 Details of ADSS Cables

High fiber count

Cheaper than OPGW
Installed along
electrical transmission
lines

Fig. 3
 Details of the OPGW

OPGW is a composite
wire which serves as a
conventional overhead
ground wire, with the
added benefit of
providing high-
capacity and reliable
fiber optic
communication.
Fig. 4
 Common Problems

Contamination fertilizer, pesticides, exhaust, emissions, salt

fog. Can only be solved on the design level, difficult because of high
voltage design requirements
Space Potential Electrical potential induced on fiber optic
cables
Dry Band Arcing Caused by the induced current during wet
conditions
 Space Potential

Induced voltages can

be in the tens of kV
range.
Causes dry-band
voltages and currents.
Causes huge and
powerful electric
fields.
Fig. 5
 Dry Band Arcing

Caused by Space
Potential and
frequency of current in
the cable.
Accurse in wet
environments
Because of high Fig. 6
induced voltage,
current can be as low
as 1.5mA.
 Employment Options

Phillips
Corning
Fiber Planners
The Furukawa Electric Co.
Most power utility companies (i.e. National
Grid, Alliant Energy, Duke Energy)
 Conclusion/Summary

Many research possibilities.

Very interesting employment.
Good chance of becoming an expert.
High Voltage BE CAREFUL
 References
Electrical Design Parameters of All-Dielectric-Self-Supporting Fiber Optic
Cable, M.W. Touminen and R.G Olsen, IEEE Transactions on Power
Delievery, Vol. 15, No. 3, July 2000
Corona Caused Deterioration of ADSS Fiber-Optic Cable on High Voltage
Lines, G.G Karady, G. Besztercey, IEEE Transactions on Power Delievery,
Vol. 15, No. 3, October 1999
Sensor Design for Leakage Current Measurement on ADSS Fiber-Optic
Cable, G.G Karady, Q, Huang, M.R Hernandez, D. Srinivasan, IEEE 2001
www.phillips.com
www.pirelli.com
www.controlbylight.com/build/app-nosts/casestudy_hoosier.html
www.navy.mil
www.fiberplanners.com
http://www.sei.co.jp/products_e/illustrated/opgw_e.htm