Electrical Cable Aging and Condition Monitoring Codes and Standards for Nuclear Power Plants

1. Electrical Cable Aging and Condition Monitoring Codes and Standards for Nuclear Power Plants • March 28, 2013 • Electrical Cable Task Group (ECTG) Lead: Dr. Stephanie Watson • stephanie.watson@nist.gov • (301) 975-6448

2. ECTG Scope Expected results: • Inventory of relevant standards with gaps and overlaps analysis. • Recommendations for revisions or new electrical cable standards. • Review of current citations of electrical cables codes and standards in NRC regulatory documents. Initial focus: • Electrical cable installation in new construction. Expanded focus: • Includes electrical cable condition monitoring in existing plants.

3. Recent Guidance from DOE and NRC • Focus not onlycompilation of: • Standards • NRC Documents • But also: • Understand Drivers for Revisions of Standards: • Emerging Technical Issues • Demand from End-Users • Final Report should show connection between technical issues and end-user demand. Task Group: Re-engaged and expanded following new guidance.

4. ECTG Membership • Membership: • ~ 40 participants • Recently added 4 owner/operators • Seeking to add end users: owners/operators, vendors

5. ECTG Tasks Identify and review current standards documents related to materials, testing, installation, and service life: Excel file has been updated - need input from Task Group about needs for revision Categorize standards • Status today: in uses, up to date, needs clarification • What needs to be changed for application to a nuclear power plant? Is there overlap between this standard and another? • Why does the standard need to be changed? • Is this specific to safety or non-safety related applications? • Is the gap related to a lack of research, material data, or a specific application of the nuclear industry? Is the gap critical? Does it inhibit the wide application of a specific material or structure class to the nuclear industry? Identify and describe technical issues: Compiling Data Identify and describe end-user applications: Compiling Data Draft and submit report on findings with recommendations to NESCC

6. Discussion Points (Previously discussed; Still relevant) • After review of standards, most have been revised or in the revision process – Report will show specific examples of changes made in recent IEEE revisions of IEEE 323 and IEEE 383; highlight any technical advances and/or safety improvements • New standards are being created to monitor condition of electrical cables • Looking outside the conventional standards for electrical cables • Review of Military Specifications • Non-Class 1E requirements • Research Documents • DOE-Sandia, Brookhaven, etc.; NRC document, EPRI reports • Challenge: New versus Old NPP Construction • Challenge: Qualification of cables upon accident conditions • Challenge: SDOs prefer NRC to cite most recent version of standards in licensing process

7. Gaps in Research (Previously discussed; Still relevant) • Determination of aging mechanisms • Low voltage cable under wet conditions • High voltage cables under temperature, radiation, and wet conditions • Accident condition qualification • Newly developed insulation materials • Determination of extended service life of aged cables • Determination of the effectiveness of cable splicing and aging process • Standardization of procedures for condition monitoring test methods • Calibration of equipment and optimization of test parameters • Optimization of acceptance criteria

8. New Discussion Points • RG 1.218: Condition and Monitoring Techniques • Transmission & Distribution (T&D) Techniques, such as dielectric spectroscopy, on-line partial discharge, VLF - include • Cable Indenter - discuss caveats • Acceptable for elastomer polymers, but NOT reliable for semi-crystalline polymers like PE and XLPE • Complex results for multi-component/multi-polymer cables • DC HiPot: clarify potential harmful influence with regard to degree of degradation • Note that EPRI guides -1020804, 1020805, and 1021629 are being used by US NPPs for programmatic and condition monitoring techniques. • Use of Line Resonance Analysis (LIRA) • Low voltage cable applications; SDOs need to develop a method • Currently used in NPPs (I&C, power), T&D, Wind Parks (on/offshore), Process Industry, Oil and Gas Industry (above ground, underground, submarine, umbilical cables), Cable Manufacturers (reference measurements, QC)

9. New Discussion Points (continued) • Even if we determine new or revisions-needed standards, how will the changes be driven? SDOs have processes for revisions; revisions are not always from emerging technical issues or demands of users. • Cable field tests for non-shielded cables • Low voltage-determine condition, life extension or effect of submersion • Medium voltage- same as for low voltage concerns • Universal procedure for walk-downs of cable installations

10. Path Forward • Initial review of rough draft report • Late April: Preliminary Review of Report by Sponsor Committee to determine if the task group is on the right track and identify Expert Panel members for final review. • Review and approval of draft report by Task Group • April: Reach out to TG members, especially utilities; attend IEEE Insulated Conductors Committee (ICC) meeting April 29 - May1 • Mid-May: Complete draft report for Task Group review • Late May: Review of Report by Task Group • Finalization of draft report • Early-June: Review of draft final report to the Sponsor Committee • Late-June: Expert Panel Review • Completion of final report • July: Present to NESCC • August: Publish report