Comprehensive Testing Services for a Key Component

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Gain the advantage of over 40 years of proven expertise and experience in cable management programs.

A critical need

Preventative maintenance and reliable safety programs are essential in power plants, process or industrial facilities where uninterrupted operations are critical. In many of these facilities, the condition of cables is a key factor in ensuring that operations continue uninterrupted, and safety systems function in the event of an accident. Kinectrics provides reliable, specialized services for comprehensive condition assessment and effective cable management programs.

Unrivalled experience and expertise

As a long-term service provider to the nuclear industry, Kinectrics has over 40 years of proven experience in cable condition assessment. We offer extensive experience in designing and customizing equipment, and developing effective testing techniques and cable services to provide accurate, in-depth assessments of plant cable condition.

Kinectrics has established one of the largest and most extensive historical databases on cable insulation properties and life assessment in the world. Complementing this unrivalled data resource are numerous sophisticated testing techniques for cable condiiton assessment using equipment customized by Kinectrics.

Environmental Qualification

For cable insulation properties and life assessment our data is based on a number of critical factors, such as temperature, moisture and radiation levels, and specific formulation types. The environmental qualification database complements chemical and mechanical analysis testing and other specialized "micro-destructive" techniques.

Cable Indenter

Kinectrics’ large database of major insulating materials i.e. EPR, Hypalon, and PVC, used with a non-destructive, in-situ and field proven hardness testing device for insulation known as a cable indenter, and visual inspection combine to deliver superior results.

Near Infrared Technology (NIR)

Using NIR, a non-destructive and in-situ spectroscopic insulation characterization device, and information from our expanding database, Kinectrics provides a unique cable insulation material identification technology, specific to formulation type of installed cables.

Micro-destructive Techniques

Physical and chemical techniques are the most sensitive methods to assess the condition of insulation and jacket materials performance during normal service life and a DBA accident event. These techniques include elongation at break, differential scanning calorimetry, solubility, plasticizer and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy.

Except for elongation measurement, all other techniques require only a small sample specimen. Kinectrics has developed acceptance criterion for each of these techniques to determine the degree of aging of XLPE, EPR, PVC and Nitrile-based insulation materials.

Partial Discharge Testing

Kinectrics’ leading edge partial discharge technology can determine online, the condition of medium voltage (5-15 kV) shielded cables. For low voltage cables held in steel conduits testing can be performed with an ionizing atmosphere; PD pulses are recorded and analyzed to establish the condition of the cable insulation.

Dielectric Loss and Conduction Current Waveform

Two Kinectrics-developed electric diagnostic technologies, the dielectric loss tester and the conduction current waveform tester, are available to establish the integrity of insulating materials. Both techniques have been successfully applied to the water treeing phenomena that degrades underground transmission cables. Medium voltage cables, found at most industrial plants, may be subjected to more severe environmental conditions. These technologies, complemented by other techniques, can reliably predict cable condition.

Quality Verification for Cable & Equipment Manufacturers

Thermal/Environmental Aging Assessment

Thermal and environmental aging assessment services are tied to Kinectrics forced convection ovens. Temperatures range from –72^o Celsius to 177^o Celsius.

Environmental Chambers

Oven test specifications are customer designated for easy access, monitoring and uniform heating of samples, to achieve the required thermal aging. Temperatures range from –72^o Celsius to177^o Celsius, with humidity control.

Steam/Chemical (LOCA Testing)

Kinectrics’ specialized services include Loss of Coolant Accident (LOCA) testing and Main Steam Line Break (MSLB) testing, including steam and chemical exposure.

Seismic Qualification

Kinectrics is renowned for custom seismic testing. Our simultaneous 3-axis test, which reports on all axes, is of exceptional value to equipment manufacturers and suppliers to the nuclear industry.

Handling of Radioactive Materials

Our specially equipped radioactive labs are designed to receive and handle materials exposed to radiation and other contaminated samples for testing.

Fire/Smoke Testing

To provide our customers with a "one-stop shop", Kinectrics offers vertical flame and smoke density testing of cables.

Direct Client Benefits

• Access to an extensive database of insulating material properties for reliable correlation of cable condition
• Proprietary test plans to ensure qualification of cables at nuclear power plants against major accidents (i.e. LOCA and MSLB)
• Integrates mechanical, chemical and electrical technologies to reliably predict cable condition
• Projects designed to suit your needs and schedule
• Detailed report documentation
• Confidentiality guaranteed

For more information, contact

Bert Grespan, 416.207.6000 x6955, bert.grespan@kinectrics.com

Anand Anandakumaran, 416.207.6000 x5871, anand.anandakumaran@kinectrics.com