Description and testing of an apparatus for electrically initiating fires through simulation of a faulty connection

Technical Report · Sun Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1986

OSTI ID:5121705

Spletzer, B L; Horine, F

An apparatus has been developed that allows the simulation of a faulty connection in an electrical circuit by placing a small resistance heater at the screw of a terminal strip. The apparatus and associated control system are described in detail. Details of a typical fire produced with the apparatus are presented, along with results of electrical fire initiation attempts with both IEEE-383 qualified and unqualified nuclear power plant cable. Repeated use of the apparatus has shown that a self-sustaining fire can be reliably initiated in unqualified cable with power levels to the apparatus not exceeding 200 W. Such fires may be initiated in approximately 10 min. Large-scale fires have been initiated with the apparatus, indicating that propagation to any desired fire size is possible. Similar efforts with IEEE-383 qualified cable have begun, but the results are not yet conclusive. 22 figs.

• Research Organization: Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AC04-76DP00789
• OSTI ID: 5121705
• Report Number(s): NUREG/CR-4570; SAND-86-0299; ON: TI86014731
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS
220900* -- Nuclear Reactor Technology-- Reactor Safety
CONDUCTOR DEVICES
CONNECTORS
ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
ELECTRICAL FAULTS
EQUIPMENT
FIRE HAZARDS
HAZARDS
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
NUCLEAR FACILITIES
NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS
POWER PLANTS
REACTOR SAFETY EXPERIMENTS
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
SIMULATION
TESTING
THERMAL POWER PLANTS
US NRC
US ORGANIZATIONS