Non-destructive Detection of Cracks in a Distribution Line

Abstract

In this paper, we propose a method for detecting cracks non-destructively by measuring the magnetic field around a distribution line. We report experimental and calculated results for the magnetic flux density around the distribution line, and consider the characteristics of the magnetic field distribution around the line. We introduce the parameter ΔLm that varies with the existence of cracks. We present an algorithm with the parameter ΔLm for detecting the cracks. We consider the characteristics of the parameter ΔLm with respect to the way to pair the sensors, the number of the sensors, the current, the radius of the circle formed with the sensors, the depth of the crack and the error of the measurement on the sensors. We confirmed the probability of the non-destructive detection of cracks in a distribution line and discovered the optimum way to pair the sensors and the optimum number of the sensors.