Application of fiber-optic bragg grating sensors in monitoring environmental loads of overhead power transmission lines.

We demonstrate the capability of using fiber-optic sensors for measurements on environmental loads on a high-power, overhead transmission line. A trial system with three Bragg gratings, including a temperature reference, was installed on a 160-m span of a 60-kV line. An interrogation system with a tunable distributed Bragg reflector laser source was used. Several measurements of the induced loads on a conductor were recorded in various wind conditions. In particular, aeolian vibrations were frequently observed, and several measurements of this phenomenon were made. The results correlate well with simple theoretical predictions and visual observations.