Abstract
In this work, a loop sensor for Arc-Flash detections has been developed in order to trip a circuit breaker within 2.5 ms after an Arc-Flash event. For an efficient capturing of the flash light, plastic optical fibers, where light attenuations are larger than those in silica-based ones, with different diameters and surface conditions were utilized. The performance was comparatively analyzed with those of a point sensor and a commercialized product. The point sensor module was designed for hemisphere-like capturings of Arc-Flashes larger than 3 kA at 2 meters from the sensor. On the other hand, the loop sensor allowed 360-degree-detections around the fiber axis and the measurement range was dependent on the length of the fiber connected to the sensor module. The trip-level-dependent brightness measurement results showed that the fabricated point sensor and loop sensor satisfied a brightness condition, 10~40 klux, and the responses of the system to Arc-Flashes were completed within 2.5 ms.
