The potential of optical fibre based methods for in-service switchgear monitoring

The monitoring of in-service circuit breakers is limited and there is a persuasive argument that such monitoring is unnecessary and not cost effective. The need for better monitoring is often only recognised following accidents such as environment threatening oil spillage or explosion hazards from gas leakages. If a more extensive monitoring philosophy is to be implemented consideration needs to be given to the most effective technology for this purpose. One important candidate is that based upon optical fibre sensing. Such systems offer many advantages for circuit breaker monitoring and are already well developed for monitoring in other supply industries. The authors discuss the potential of these methods for switchgear monitoring