The Boeing Company
Electrical fault detector and method of use

Abstract:

An electrical system is provided. The electrical system includes an insulated electrical conductor installed in an aircraft and configured to conduct a current over a length of the insulated electrical conductor. The electrical system includes an optical fiber includes a jacket surrounding an optical core, the optical fiber installed adjacent to the insulated electrical conductor. The electrical system includes a photo detector coupled to the optical fiber and configured to detect an electromagnetic signal carried by the optical fiber and at least partially generated as a function of an electrical fault that occurs at a point along the length of the insulated electrical conductor.