Reactor trip switchgear [at Sizewell B]

The reactor trip switchgear is the final equipment in the protection system which must operate for a safe shutdown of a nuclear plant, and as such the operation of the reactor trip switchgear breakers must have a high degree of reliability. The author discusses some considerations in the design for performance and reliability of such switchgear under adverse environmental and seismic conditions, with particular reference to the conditions appertaining to the Sizewell B site. He also examines some of the procedures undertaken to qualify the equipment to the required standard