imc Test & Measurement is revolutionizing temperature measurement in high-voltage environments with the new, fiber-optic CAN measurement module imc Cansas-FBG-T8. It applies specially-developed fiber Bragg grating sensors (FBG) at eight optical inputs to measure temperatures in high-voltage (HV) environments and outputs the results via CAN.
Thanks to the optical measuring principle, the system is independent of any electrostatic and electromagnetic influences. Thus all such EMI/ESD related concerns with errors, signal artifacts and even damage typically associated with traditional measurement technology when testing in HV environments are no longer an issue.
Furthermore, as the fiber-optic based sensors have no electrical conductivity whatsoever, user safety is guaranteed. This means that there is no need for special safety equipment or training. Elaborate and expensive high-voltage cable insulation is no longer needed.
The particularly thin FBG temperature sensors with diameters down to 0.5mm make installation easier and enable completely new applications. They can, for example, be directly integrated into the windings of an electric motor without significantly influencing its properties. Larger conventional sensors would alter the motors’ magnetic fields and potentially introduce irregularities or even mechanical noise.
The fast response fiber-optic sensor can then precisely detect and record the dynamic temperature changes in the windings under load. This is a task that was previously almost impossible to do with conventional sensor technology (PT100 or thermocouple).
Kai Gilbert, MD of imc Test & Measurement, sees further advantages in the simple handling: “Fiber-optic measurement technology has been around for a long time – however, up until now it has hardly been used in the area of testing. This was mainly due to the complicated handling and the lack of integration possibilities.
“We have solved this problem with the FBG measurement module. It can be used immediately with sensors – just plug it in, enter the parameters and you’re away. The data can be transferred via the CAN interface either directly to a data logger, an application system or to an automation system.”
Christian Walther, key account manager at imc Test & Measurement, adds, “When it comes to fiber-optic measurement technology, many people expect excessively high prices. With the imc Cansas-FBG-T8 however, there is hardly any difference in terms of costs for our customers, whether they implement their HV instrumentation with classic or fiber-optic technology – but it certainly does with regard to the ease of use and the quality of results.”
Fiber-optic and electrical measurement technology combined
The FBG module is electrically and mechanically compatible with the imc Cansasflex series. Users can dock directly with any existing measurement module in the flex series via the integrated click connector. This means that the entire imc portfolio of electrical measurement technology is suitable, too.
The intelligent imc BUSDAQflex CAN datalogger can also be directly attached, thus allowing fiber-optic and electrical measurement modules to be combined into a fully integrated measurement system. A wide variety of measurement, testing and even control applications can be flexibly covered, and a wide range of vehicle and industrial buses can be integrated.
imc USA (Stand: 4020) is just one of over 300 companies exhibiting the latest test and vehicle validation technologies at next week’s Automotive Testing Expo show in Novi, Michigan, USA. To read more exhibitor news click here. To register for your free fast-track entry code, click here.