Arc flash detection method
An arc flash detection method includes transmitting light via an optical fiber to a sensor and transmitting light from the sensor that includes components representative of acoustic waves and light for filtering and processing to detect an occurrence of an arc flash.
1. A method comprising:
transmitting light via an optical fiber to a sensor;
transmitting light from the sensor that includes components representative of acoustic waves and light;
processing light from the sensor to detect an occurrence of an arc flash.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein processing comprises determining signal magnitudes of the light and the acoustic waves.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein processing further comprises determining a time delay between detection of acoustic waves that are indicative of an arc flash and detection of light that is indicative of an arc flash.
4. The method of claim 3 wherein processing further comprises storing the time delay for future comparison and arc flash occurrence detection.
5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising filtering light from the sensor prior to processing light from the sensor.
6. The method of claim 5 , wherein filtering comprises detecting light of a plurality of wavelengths.
7. The method of claim 1 wherein transmitting light to a sensor comprises transmitting light to a sensor configured to simultaneously detect light and acoustic waves.
8. The method of claim 1 further comprising generating an arc fault signal to provide an alert upon detection of the occurrence of an arc flash.
9. The method of claim 1 , further comprising activating a protective device upon detection of the occurrence of an arc flash.