With the largest range of fibre optic instrumentation and equipment, Accurate Controls is the only place you need for impartial advice when considering fibre based sensors.

The first question to ask is why use fibre sensors at all?

For general measurement applications where there are no hazardous substances, explosive gases or EMC ( Electromagnetic Compatibility ) issues then fibre sensors would not be the first choice.

However, for applications involving high voltage, high current, electromagnetic, magnetic, microwave, chemical, or where there is a risk of interference from adjacent equipment especially explosive atmospheres or where physical sensor size is a concern, then fibre sensors can often provide a cost effective sensing solution.

Fibre sensors use many different principles but they all break down into two broad categories

• Single Point sensors *
• Distributed sensors *

* These are external pages from our partners site. Accurate Controls Ltd. is not responsible for the content of external websites.

1) Single Point sensors

As the name suggests, single point sensors can provide measurement at one single discreet location. Whilst the actual fibre leading to the sensor can be several kilometres long, there will only be one single measurement point, normally located at the end.

2) Distributed sensors

Distributed sensors allow the measurement of either defined points along a fibre or with some technologies at all points along the length.

They are highly cost effective solutions where multiple conventional sensors would be either impractical to install or expensive due the cabling costs.

Technologies

Under each broad category, there are many different measurement principles commercially employed.For single point sensors the choice is:

• White light polarised interferometry
• Semi-Conductor band-gap technology
• MEMS ( Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems)
• White light cross correlated interferometry
• Phosphorescent decay

Distributed system technologies include

• Brillouin Scattering
• Raman Scattering
• Bragg Gratings
• Low-Coherence interferometry

Fibre sensing is now a mature industry with successful projects demonstrating clear technical and commercial advantages in many industry sectors. Our aim is to discuss your applications, determine the most suitable technology and then provide a working solution on time and to budget.

Please contact us in confidence for impartial advice on your application.