Frequency domain reflectometry NDE for aging cables in nuclear power plants

Degradation of the cable jacket, electrical insulation, and other cable components of installed cables within nuclear power plants (NPPs) is known to occur as a function of age, temperature, radiation, and other environmental factors. Although system tests verify cable function under normal loads, demonstration of some cable’s ability to perform under exceptional loads associated with design-basis events is essential to assuring plant integrity. The cable’s ability to perform safely over the initial 40-year planned and licensed life has generally been demonstrated and there have been very few age-related cable failures. With greater than 1000 km of power, control, instrumentation, and other cables typically found in an NPP, replacing all the cables would be a severe cost burden. Justification for life extension to 60 and 80 years requires a cable aging management program that includes condition monitoring to justify cable performance under normal operation as well as accident conditions. A variety of test...