Proposed IEEE Certification for Nuclear Qualified Electrical Equipment

The IEEE Standards Association (IEEE-SA) and the IEEE Nuclear Power Engineering Committee (NPEC) formed the NPEC Conformity Assessment Steering Committee (NPEC CASC) in September 2014. The NPEC CASC boasts an outstanding constituency of members in the domain of nuclear power technology who share a common vision to accelerate IEEE standards adoption through conformity assessment and certification programs. Participants in NPEC CASC include representatives from device manufacturers, test laboratories and the end-user community. IEEE-SA Conformity Assessment Program (ICAP) creates and implements initiatives that drive and accelerate certification programs throughout industry addressing a broad range of technologies. ICAP, along with the NPEC CASC, is looking into development of a conformity assessment program to support IEEE Std 323(TM) and otherre related standards. This paper will provide readers with an in-depth look at the current state of equipment qualification in the nuclear industry globally. It will also present the benefits of a comprehensive certification program. It will provide a varied perspectives ranging from a utility, plant owner, and manufacturer to regulators. The following are considered key activities of the NPEC CASC: -- Recommend and consolidate program structure for the certification of Class 1E devices -- Recommend and establish compliance levels -- Provide guidance on test methods -- Recommend and establish test lab requirements and audit processes -- Recommend and establish test tool validation -- Act as certification program advocates -- Validate Test Plan/Report template