Optimal Design of Measurement Systems for Current Distribution Measurement in Parallel Cables

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to propose the optimal allocation and alignment of probes for current distribution measurement (CDM) in the case of twin cable in conduit conductor (CICC) cables with equal and opposite current. Design/methodology/approach – The most effective approach to CDM in CICC cables is to perform indirect measurements starting from magnetic field map measured externally to the cable. A number of approaches have been proposed to optimize the layout of magnetic field probes external to the cable, but all dealing with single cables. In this paper, an approach to the optimized design of measurement system for twin cables will be proposed, based on the minimization of a suitable cost function. Findings – A method for the optimal allocation of probes both in terms of rejection of the background field and of condition number of the Green matrix has been defined. Research limitations/implications – The method is valid only in the hypothesis of linear relationship between currents and magnetic field. Practical implications – The proposed approach allows to design more robust CDM systems, with increased noise and background field rejection capability. Originality/value – The problem of optimal design of CDM systems has been previously tackled in literature, but typically with reference to single cables. In the paper, an approach able to explicitly deal with twin cables is proposed.