Implementation of Non-Destructive Electrical Condition Monitoring Techniques on Low-Voltage Nuclear Cables: I. Irradiation Aging of EPR/CSPE Cables

In a nuclear power plant environment, low-voltage cables experience different stresses during their service life which challenge their integrity. A non-destructive and reliable condition monitoring technique is desired to determine the state of these low-voltage cables during service and for the lif...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Ehtasham Mustafa, Ramy S. A. Afia, Oumaima Nouini, Zoltán Ádám Tamus
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2021-08-01
Series:Energies
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/14/16/5139
Description
Summary:In a nuclear power plant environment, low-voltage cables experience different stresses during their service life which challenge their integrity. A non-destructive and reliable condition monitoring technique is desired to determine the state of these low-voltage cables during service and for the life extension of nuclear power plants. Hence, in this research work, an EPR/CSPE-based low-voltage cable was exposed to γ-rays for five different absorbed doses. The overall behavior of the cable under stress was characterized by frequency and time domain electrical measurements (capacitance, tan δ, and Extended Voltage Response) and a mechanical measurement (elongation at break). Significant variations in the electrical parameters were observed, as was a decline in the elongation at break values. A strong correlation between the measurement methods was observed, showing the ability of the electrical methods to be adopted as a non-destructive condition monitoring technique.
ISSN:1996-1073