Characterization of Corona and Dielectric Barrier Discharge Using Pockels Effect Based Electro-Optic Probe

The aim of this paper is to use Pockels effect-based electro-optic (EO) sensor to characterize corona and dielectric barrier discharges (DBD). In the realm of electrical engineering, partial discharges (PD) pose significant risks due to their potential to accelerate insulation aging in high-voltage systems, necessitating ongoing advancements in detection and monitoring techniques. This study hones in on the distinctive attributes of EO sensors, including their wide bandwidth, minimal perturbation, high spatial resolution, and fully dielectric properties, which enable accurate electric field measurements in close proximity to discharge locations. The paper highlights the advantages of EO sensors over traditional methods, such as high-frequency current transformers (HFCTs), by comparing their performance in various discharge configurations and types. The EO sensors' capability to capture vectorial electric field variations and perform continuous wavelet transform (CWT) analysis is also explored, offering a more nuanced understanding of discharge properties. The findings reveal that the EO sensors can be used efficiently for PD characterization. The characteristics of the recorded signals are discharge-type dependent, making EO sensors particularly valuable for fault detection and diagnosis in insulation systems. Moreover, this research underscores the potential for EO sensors to enhance the accuracy and efficiency of PD detection, contributing to improved maintenance strategies and the overall reliability of high-voltage power equipment.