Device for detecting fractures in power transmission fibers.

摘要

A device for detecting fracture faults in optical power transmission fibers in which a plastic fiber is laid parallel to and closely adjacent the power transmission fiber. The plastic fiber has a melting point lower than a temperature reached by a portion of the power transmission fiber containing a fracture fault when power is applied to the power transmission fiber. The portion of the plastic fiber adjacent the fault melts, thereby interrupting the path of a reference beam through the plastic fiber from a reference beam source to a detector. The absence of a returned reference beam at a detector is taken as an indication that the power transmission fiber has a fracture fault.