Contributions to the optimization of an optical sensor for acetylene and carbon monoxide

Abstract

An optical fiber sensor based on harmonic detection for real time monitoring of dissolved gases in the insulating oil of high-voltage transformers has been developed for fault detection. The present work describes contributions to the optimization of the sensor system, using a DFB laser, which is modulated by the local oscillator of a lock-in amplifier, also used for harmonic detection of the spectral line of the gas molecule under test. A detailed study was developed toward sensor optimization by using C2H2 and CO as the test gases.