Electrical power distribution system operating experience review for fusion applications

This paper describes safety research on electrical distribution systems applicable to fusion facilities. Electrical power has many uses in both magnetic and inertial fusion experiments; it is the most important support system for any fusion experiment. Electricity powers a wide variety of plant equipment, including vacuum pumps, magnets, coolant pumps, air handlers, compressors, and either plasma heating or target implosion drivers. Electricity also powers instrumentation and controls, control and data acquisition computers, accident mitigation systems and site security systems. Most facilities use electrical power to ensure adequate confinement of radioactive materials via air pressure zone control, valve isolation, and operation of cleanup systems. As a result, operating experiences of electrical switchgear, cabling, motor control centers, and electrical panels have been examined for reliability, maintenance times, accident case histories, accident initiating event frequencies, and personnel safety issues. Electrical component failure rates and repair times, and initiating event frequencies are presented in this paper.