Abstract: A technique for detecting defects in aircraft wiring, such as for detecting partial discharges or arcing in wiring or cables is disclosed. A high frequency current transformer (HFCT) is fixingly positioned in contact with a wire so that the wire is encircled by the HFCT. Partial discharges from a damaged wire so encircled will induce a current in the HFCT proportional to the current of the discharge. The HFCT includes a conductive coil-like pattern formed onto a flexible insulating material. The insulating material has slits between each coil-turn. The HFCT also includes a core of flexible material fitted between the coil-turns through the slits.

Abstract: A cable, system and method for detecting partial discharges or arcing in wiring or cables via fiber optics are provided. The cable for detecting partial discharges includes a conductor for carrying electrical signals; at least one fluorescent optical fiber for detecting light generated by a partial discharge; and a first transparent layer surrounding the conductor for supporting the at least one fluorescent optical fiber generally parallel to the conductor. By employing a fluorescent optical fiber, incident light generated by a partial discharge along a length of the optical fiber will be transmitted via the optical fiber to an optical receiver for determining a partial discharge has occurred.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting partial discharges or arcing in wiring or cables is disclosed. The system employs a high-voltage AC power source to generate a high-voltage low-current AC waveform, which is propagated through a selected wire, which in turn, produces the return signal. The return signal is processed using a signal processor and the analyzed for indications of the occurrence of a partial discharge. The method detects damage to a selected wire by utilizing high voltage, low current AC waveforms to induce partial discharges in a controlled manner and detecting a return signal resulting from the discharge.