Electrical ignition sources in nuclear power plants: statistical, modelling and experimental studies

Electrical ignitions of fires in nuclear power plants (NPPs) were studied by analysing statistical information from both nuclear and non-nuclear installations, modelling the most common simple physical ignition processes, and finally carrying out experiments on some of the modelled scenarios. Statistical assessment indicated cables to be a significant cause of electrical ignitions in all kinds of installations. Modelling of some relevant scenarios of cable fires and carrying out a number of experiments gave quantitative information on the circumstances and physical processes of the dangerous cable ignition situations.