Review on Electromagnetic Compatibility Research and Practice in Nuclear Power Plants

Abstract

Abstract This paper studies the electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) for the instrumentation & control system, communication devices and electric equipments in commercial nuclear power plants (NPPs). It reviews the EMC research activities and practices for NPPs in United States, France, Russia and China. The paper first familiars the readers with electromagnetic interference (EMI) knowledge and examples that are most related to NPP EMC issues, including EMI source, coupling path and sensitive equipment. It then summarizes the historical research activities, focusing on the development of EMC standards for NPPs in those four countries. It is concluded that the current EMC standard systems are not uniform and lack of specific test procedures and quantification methods. They are insufficient for the nuclear industry to execute. At last, recent popular research topics for NPPs are reviewed including systematic EMC design, EMC design and control measures, EMC prediction and electromagnetic environment monitoring. Similar research work done in the general EMC community or by other industries has been introduced. It indicates that for NPPs EMC design especially at the system level is still immature, electromagnetic simulation can be a good tool to assist the EMC design and that EMC control regulations and environment monitoring become more and more necessary as wireless components and devices are being used.