Experimental Study of High Energy Arcing Faults Using Medium Voltage Metalclad Switchgears

Abstract

Large-scale electric discharges events called high energy arcing faults (HEAF) have been reported in a nonnegligible number at nuclear power stations (NPSs) worldwide. If a HEAF occurs, the pressure and temperature in the electrical equipment rise rapidly, causing an explosive phenomenon with destructive force that results in serious damage to the equipment. In addition, a HEAF may cause a fire, which would have a serious impact on cables and other components in and around the equipment with the potential to disrupt power, instruments, and control in the plant.

In order to investigate the HEAF progression and to understand well the phenomena involved, the Regulatory Standard and Research Department in the Secretariat of the Nuclear Regulation Authority conducted a series of experiments (HEAF tests). High-energy electric arcs were generated at the facility simulating the design and operating conditions of the medium-voltage metalclad switchgears (M/Cs) at Unit 1 of the Onagawa NPS where the fire subsequently spread to multiple M/Cs via cable duct due to HEAF.

The test data have been obtained for the M/Cs on the threshold values of the arc energy that results in ensuing fires and on the characteristics of high-energy arcs.

On the basis of the knowledge obtained by the test results, measures for prevention of ensuing fire and mitigation of explosion are proposed as a new requirement for fire protection regulation of Japanese NPSs. Amendments to the regulatory requirements were issued on August 8, 2017 and enforced on the same day.

This paper summarizes the information on the high-energy arc characteristics and arc energies resulting in ensuing fires that was used as the basis of the new requirements and discusses the trend of arc power.

Keywords:

• High energy arcing faults
• metalclad switchgear
• ensuing fire
• arc discharge
• arc power