What is BS IEC 60568 - In-core instrumentation in power reactors about?
BS IEC 60568 is a European standard that discusses instrumentation important to safety of nuclear power plants (NPPs). BS IEC 60568 provides guidance for the design of in-core instrumentation for neutron fluence rate measurements in thermal neutron reactors designed for power production.
BS IEC 60568 applies to on-line in-core neutron detectors, together with associated components and instrumentation, designed for purposes important to reactor safety: protection, information, or control. The detector types usually used are direct current ionization chambers, fission ion chambers, and self-powered neutron detectors.
The major emphasis in BS IEC 60568 is on the general design aspects of on-line systems. For the principles of overall system design and for the purpose of neutron flux measurements, reference should be made to IEC 61513.
Who is BS IEC 60568 - In-core instrumentation in power reactors for?
BS IEC 60568 on in-core instrumentation for nuclear power plants is useful for:
- Nuclear power stations
- Atomic energy agencies
- Atomic research organizations
- Nuclear power plants electrical systems and equipment manufacturers
- Operators of NPP, systems evaluators and licensors
- Nuclear safety authorities
- Regulatory authorities
Why should you use BS IEC 60568 - In-core instrumentation in power reactors?
BS IEC 60568 focusses on the issues specific to in-core instrumentation systems. A system is understood as a measurement system producing the signals from the detectors.
BS IEC 60568 gives the principles of power distribution measurements based on several types of
detectors: Self Powered Neutron Detectors (SPND), fission chambers or calorimeters. It is organized into the following major sections providing:
- The general requirements for systems
- The general requirements for on-line in-core detectors including mechanical, electrical, and nuclear characteristics and the range of operation
- The requirements for testing of detectors (prototype, serial production)
- The requirements for testing the system
- Recommendations for maintenance of the detectors after operation
Thus, compliance with BS IEC 60568 can help maintain the functional and operation integrity of on-line in-core neutron detectors such that they play a positive role in efficient power production.
