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AMS recently completed Frequency Domain Reflectometry (FDR) testing at a nuclear power plant in the United States. FDR testing allowed plant operators to measure the aging of the cables without investing in costly inspections and construction efforts. Once FDR testing had been completed, it was determined that new cables did not need to be installed, saving the plant money by eliminating the need to install new cables, conduit, scaffolding, and manpower for repairs.
FDR is a method of electrical testing to locate and monitor cable aging. The FDR test can be applied from the instrumentation cabinet to locate, quantify, and trend accelerated aging of cable insulation.
Benefits of the FDR testing method include:
- Use as part of a cable testing suite to develop a
comprehensive cable aging management program - Survey the entire cable length from one location
- Build and maintain cable aging management database
- Monitor cable aging in:
- Harsh environments
- Inaccessible areas
- In conduit
- Trend data for degradation monitoring
- Locate and monitor thermal hot spots
- ALARA – test cables from safe location
- Able to locate faults and aging degradation
