Electrical Insulators in a Reactor Accident Environment

摘要

Wire connections in a reactor containment generally are made by means of many hundreds of insulating blocks (terminal blocks) which are protected by metal boxes. A model was developed which predicts, within an error factor of 2, the probability of an electrical breakdown for a wide range of temperatures, contamination, and protective measures. A broad investigation was conducted to determine what effect the heat, steam, and contamination resulting from a nuclear reactor accident would have on these terminal blocks. A comprehensive experimental program was performed at temperatures, pressures, and time constants characteristic of the Three Mile Island accident.