What are nuclear grade connectors?

By AJ Born

Nuclear grade connectors must be exceptionally reliable and rugged enough to withstand extreme conditions such as chemical exposure, high temperatures, radiation, and seismic activity.

Meet the Connector: Nuclear Grade Connectors 

Connectors used in the nuclear energy industry must be exceptionally reliable and rugged enough to withstand extreme conditions such as chemical exposure, high temperatures, radiation, and seismic activity. In addition to maintaining high performance levels, they must meet requirements for radioactive decontamination, stringent cleaning procedures, and microbiological sterilization (autoclave, EtO [ethylene oxide], gamma radiation, and Steris or Sterrad technologies). All this impacts the choice of material and sealing level.

Connectors for nuclear energy applications often require high mating cycles, which makes durability as well as ease of mating and unmating a priority. They may be keyed for quick, positive one-way connection.

TE Connectivity’s DEUTSCH DCIN and DCIHN Series nuclear connectors allow secure connection to qualified electrical equipment such as sensors, transmitters, limit switches, and sensitive control equipment. DCIN and DCIHN Series connectors are qualified to meet K1 and K2 zones conditions requirements and test specifications H-M2A-2007-01218-FR.

Design Notes 

Standards:

NQA-1 (Nuclear Quality Assurance-1) standard is created and maintained by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME).

RCC-E is the French standard for the design and construction of electrical equipment for nuclear islands.

LOCA is the loss of coolant accident qualification criteria

Mating cycles: High mating cycles with quick and easy mating and unmating.

Locking mechanism: A push-pull locking system is often used because it is extremely safe and easy to connect, even when wearing gloves.

Glenair’s NuclearGrade ITS-NG series reverse bayonet lock connectors have fast and reliable mating and unmating. These connectors are a qualified equivalent for MIL-DTL-5015 (VG95135) reverse-bayonet connectors. The popular series offers hundreds of crimp-contact power and signal insert arrangements with gold-plated copper contacts. Polymeric insert materials deliver maximum radiation and temperature tolerance, as well as long-term durability.

Material specifications: Stainless steel is recommended for nuclear applications for its combination of strength and corrosion resistance, ability to withstand high temperatures, and because it can conduct electricity. Other premium materials for these connectors include 316L, PEEK, and EPDM.

The Souriau-Sunbank 8N45 series, available from RS, is an RCC-E K2 qualified nuclear grade connector range designed to work for the life of a nuclear power plant. The 8N45 series connectors feature robust stainless steel shells, high sealing performance, and a one-quarter turn bayonet coupling. They are suited to operate safely during normal and seismic conditions in various applications in the reactor containment buildings.

Plating: passivated plating to prevent reactivity

Radiall nuclear connectors include coaxial connectors, adaptors, and cable assemblies to connect sensing devices to the electronic enclosure, such as liquid level sensor in the uranium storage pool, or Boron sensor.

Markets and Applications 

Nuclear grade connectors are used in a wide range of applications: valve controls/monitoring, control rod drive mechanisms, rod position indicators, pressure transmitters, solenoids, hydrogen detectors, fuel handling equipment, radiation-tolerant cameras, limit switches, radiation detectors, in-core detectors, data acquisition equipment, post-accident monitoring systems, process control monitoring, pressurized water reactors, and secure connection to qualified electrical equipment such as sensors, transmitters, limit switches and sensitive control equipment.

Suppliers 

Connectors for use in the nuclear energy industry are available in many variations from many suppliers, including: Axon’ Cable, Radiall, RS, TE Connectivity, Fischer Connectors, Glenair, Souriau, Namco

Like this article? Check out our other Meet the Connector and Networking articles, our Military and Aerospace Market Page, and our 2024 Article Archives

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AJ Born
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