Characterizing the thermal effects of High Energy Arc Faults

Published

November 30, 2015

Author(s)

Anthony D. Putorti Jr., Nicholas Melly, Scott Bareham, Joseph E. Praydis

Abstract

International and domestic operating experience involving High Energy Arc Faults (HEAF) in Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) electrical power systems have demonstrated the potential to cause extensive damage to electrical components and distribution systems along with damage to adjacent equipment and cables. An international study by the Committee on the Safety of Nuclear Installations (CSNI) "OECD Fire Project – Topical Report No. 1 Analysis of High Energy Arcing Fault (HEAF) Fire Events" published June 25,2013, illustrates that HEAF events have the potential to be major risk contributors with significant safety consequences and substantial economic loss. In an effort to better understand and characterize the threats posed by HEAF related phenomena, an international project has been chartered; The Joint Analysis of Arc Faults (Joan of ARC) OECD International Testing Program for High Energy Arc Faults. One of the major challenges of this research is how to properly measure and characterize the risk and influence of these events. Methods are being developed to characterize relevant parameters such as; temperature, heat flux, and heat release rate of fires resulting from HEAF events. Full scale experiments are being performed at low (≤ 1000 V) and medium (≤35 kV) voltages in electrical components. This paper introduces the methods being developed needed to measure thermal effects and discusses preliminary results of full scale HEAF experiments.

Proceedings Title

SMiRT 23 - 14th International Seminar on FIRE SAFETY IN NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS AND INSTALLATIONS (GRS-A-3845)

Conference Dates

August 17-18, 2015

Conference Location

Salford, UK

Conference Title

23th International Conference on Structural Mechanics in Reactor Technology (SMiRT 23) -
14th International Post Conference Seminar on
“FIRE SAFETY IN NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS AND INSTALLATIONS“

Pub Type

Conferences

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Keywords

fire, high energy arc fault, nuclear power, heat release rate, heat flux, plate thermometer, oxygen consumption

Citation

Putorti Jr., A. , Melly, N. , Bareham, S. and Praydis, J. (2015), Characterizing the thermal effects of High Energy Arc Faults, SMiRT 23 - 14th International Seminar on FIRE SAFETY IN NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS AND INSTALLATIONS (GRS-A-3845), Salford, UK, [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=919048 (Accessed October 8, 2024)