ISSN: 1546-962X
CODEN: JAIOAD
Published Online: 18 May 2007
Page Count: 18

Determination of Failure Criteria for Electric Cables Exposed to Fire for Use in a Nuclear Power Plant Risk Analysis

Norcott, Jill E.
Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Department of Fire Protection Engineering, Worcester, MA

Blanchat, Thomas K.
Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, NM

(Received 1 December 2004; accepted 8 January 2007)

Abstract

The vulnerability of electrical cables exposed to a fire environment is of particular concern to the nuclear power plant community. The community is interested in data that could be used for predicting cable failures during a fire situation. For this reason, a cable test program was conducted using two different types of cable insulation. Several different exposure heat fluxes were tested, as well as different test arrangements such as cable trays and conduits. The program revealed that a single failure temperature for all cable types is not recommended, but if it is necessary a reasonable temperature could be chosen for the thermosets tested in this project.

Keywords:
cable, nuclear power plant, fire, insulation resistance

Paper ID: JAI100469
DOI: 10.1520/JAI100469
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