What is BS IEC 60772- Electrical penetration assemblies in nuclear power plants about?
BS IEC 60772 is an international standard that focuses on electrical penetration assemblies (EPAs) in containment structures. EPAs used in safety systems in nuclear facilities need to comply with various standards in order to meet their safety functional requirements throughout their qualified life. In this regard, BS IEC 60772 covers the engineering safety requirements to be met in the design, calculation, qualification, fabrication, assembly, testing, and installation of EPAs.
For the purpose of BS IEC 60772, EPAs include:
- Electrical conductors up to the connection interface inside and outside the containment (penetration conductors)
- the electrical insulation systems of penetration conductors including the electrical insulation of the connection interface
- components for the resistance to environmental conditions, such as pressure resistance, gas tightness, temperature resistance, radiations resistance, seismic resistance enclosure of this EPA, and for connection with the containment wall
- If required, permanently connected equipment for leak tightness monitoring
- Standard electrical connection interfaces such as cable lugs, terminals, and connectors
- Terminals and/or junction boxes (if necessary).
Note: Other aspects, relating to quality assurance, reliability, and selection including validation and verification activities are not part of this standard.
Who is BS IEC 60772- EPAs in nuclear power plants for?
BS IEC 60772 on nuclear power plants is applicable to:
- Nuclear industry
- Nuclear power plants
- Atomic energy agencies
- Instrumentation and control systems manufacturers
- Nuclear-electric power stations
- Nuclear power plant electrical systems and equipment manufacturers
- Environmental, health and safety bodies
- Regulatory authorities
Why should you use BS IEC 60772- EPAs in nuclear power plants?
Nuclear power plant containment structures are entirely sealed‐off constructions containing the nuclear reactor. The design consideration of these structures is critical for the successful prevention of leakage of radiation to the environment.
As compared to the previous edition, BS IEC 60772 intends to accomplish the following:
- A potential events/accidents scenarios are to be taken into consideration. For instance, DEC scenarios are now considered in the design requirements and qualification of electrical penetration assemblies.
- Respecting new technologies
- Respecting the utilization of digital electronic equipment in I&C systems instead of relay-based devices requires that more detailed consideration shall be given to resistance against electromagnetic disturbances
- Inclusion of the comprehensive considerations of design and materials
- Methods for the performance of on-going qualification/reassessing the qualified life as requested in the newest revision of IEC/IEEE 60780-323 are taken into account
Overall, BS IEC 60772 can help ensure containment integrity and tightness, without assembly structural damage. As a result, with these best industry practices for designing, qualifying, manufacturing, testing, installation, and commissioning of EPAs, you can demonstrate conformity to regulatory and safety protocols.
