Electromagnetic compatibility in nuclear power plants

Conference · Wed Sep 15 04:00:00 EDT 1999

OSTI ID:23142171

Wood, Richard T.; Kercel, Stephen W. ^[1]; Ewing, Paul D. ^[2]; Korsah, Kofi ^[3]

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1. Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Post Office Box 2008, Oak Ridge, TN 37831-6011 (United States)
2. Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Post Office Box 2008, Oak Ridge, TN 37831-6006 (United States)
3. Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Post Office Box 2008, Oak Ridge, TN 37831-6010 (United States)

Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) has long been a key element of qualification for mission critical instrumentation and control (I and C) systems used by the U.S. military. The potential for disruption of safety-related I and C systems by electromagnetic interference (EMI), radio-frequency interference (RFI), or power surges is also an issue of concern for the nuclear industry. Experimental investigations of the potential vulnerability of advanced safety systems to EMI/RFI, coupled with studies of reported events at nuclear power plants (NPPs) that are attributed to EMI/RFI, confirm the safety significance of EMC for both analog and digital technology. As a result, Oak Ridge National Laboratory has been engaged in the development of the technical basis for guidance that addresses EMC for safety-related I and C systems in NPPs. This research has involved the identification of engineering practices to minimize the potential impact of EMI/RFI and power surges and an evaluation of the ambient electromagnetic environment at NPPs to tailor those practices for use by the nuclear industry. Recommendations for EMC guidance have been derived from these research findings and are summarized in this paper.

• Research Organization: American Nuclear Society - ANS, 555 North Kensington Avenue, La Grange Park, IL 60526 (United States)
• OSTI ID: 23142171
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS
42 ENGINEERING
COMPATIBILITY
INTERFERENCE
NUCLEAR INDUSTRY
NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS
RADIOWAVE RADIATION
REACTOR SAFETY
RECOMMENDATIONS