400 East Main Street
Annville, PA 17003-0354
Phone: (717) 867-2788
Fax: (717) 867-2714
Electrical Condition Monitoring & Noise Control
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MEET CASEY SEXTON
Casey is a giant step above your normal test engineer. He has worked at AMS for 15 years, obtaining his Electrical Engineering Degree while working full time. He is currently cross training with CHAR Services to add EMI/RFI to his many areas of expertise.
With his extensive nuclear plant background and experience in test engineering, Casey is adding additional insight into the field of EMI/RFI testing and troubleshooting. He is already participating in EMI/RFI Qualification testing and you can expect to see him soon in the nuclear power plant solving those allusive control interference problems. Welcome to the CHAR EMI/RFI team!
EVALUATION OF ARKANSAS NUCLEAR ONE UNIT 1 NI-5 POWER RANGE DETECTOR
CHAR
performed testing on the NI-5 power range RPS channel in an attempt to
identify the cause of elevated noise observed on the bottom detector signal
of the NI-5 channel. Based on experience with similar systems, CHAR suspected
an intermittent connection, either within the detector or in a cable connection.
Testing performed included observation and collection of noise data on both the top and bottom detector chambers. Differences were noted in noise levels between the detectors, but not of a level that would affect channel operation. A “wiggle” test was also performed, which involved flexing the detector cable connections, while monitoring the cable signature on the CHAR dynamic TDR. No changes were seen during this test, concluding that an intermittent connection in the detector cable connections is unlikely.
CHAR also performed full characterization of the channel cabling, both before and after the connections were de-terminated, cleaned, and re-terminated. No significant differences were seen in the before and after data, providing additional evidence that the cable connectors are adequate.
Intermittent connections are extremely difficult to detect in a short time period. CHAR has found that a good approach is to take the CHAR data when elevated noise is being observed. Also, an intermittent connection can “self heal” for many months.
Testing performed included observation and collection of noise data on both the top and bottom detector chambers. Differences were noted in noise levels between the detectors, but not of a level that would affect channel operation. A “wiggle” test was also performed, which involved flexing the detector cable connections, while monitoring the cable signature on the CHAR dynamic TDR. No changes were seen during this test, concluding that an intermittent connection in the detector cable connections is unlikely.
CHAR also performed full characterization of the channel cabling, both before and after the connections were de-terminated, cleaned, and re-terminated. No significant differences were seen in the before and after data, providing additional evidence that the cable connectors are adequate.
Intermittent connections are extremely difficult to detect in a short time period. CHAR has found that a good approach is to take the CHAR data when elevated noise is being observed. Also, an intermittent connection can “self heal” for many months.
The EMI/RFI mapping data revealed that the EMI/RFI radiated emissions at the new cabinet installations were below the EPRI TR-102323-R1 recommended equipment emissions levels except for a signal traced to florescent lights located above the equipment installation area. This signal was measured in virtually all areas and was the same level before the ovation equipment was installed and after the equipment was installed.
CHAR Services concluded that the EMI/RFI radiated emissions created by the installation of the Ovation System have not increased the emissions levels in the plant and the EMI/RFI emissions in the areas measured are below the levels recommended as equipment emissions guidelines in TR-102323-R1.
Copyright©,
2003 CHAR Services, Inc, All Rights Reserved
P.O. Box 354 Annville, PA 17003
(717) 867-2788
P.O. Box 354 Annville, PA 17003
(717) 867-2788