Equipment qualification research test of electrical cable with factor splices and insulation rework: Test no. 2, report no. 1

Electric cables with flame retardant chemically crosslinked polyolefin extruded insulation containing factory made center conductor splices and insulation repairs manufactured by the Rockbestos Company were used in a methodology test of the IEEE Standard 383-1974. Cable specimens were radiation aged at a low dose rate and then thermally aged to simulate a 40 year containment exposure. After aging, the specimens were subjected to LOCA radiation and a 33 day steam and chemical spray exposure. The cables were electrically loaded and functioned without failure during and after LOCA steam and chemical spray exposure. Insulation resistance measurements were taken during the exposure sequence. Subsequence to the exposures, hipot and mandrel bend tests were conducted. To determine the most severe cable aging sequence, cable insulation material samples were subjected to varied aging exposure to observe sequence related and dose rate related material degradation. A dose rate effect was observed.