Equipment Qualification

QualTech NP, a product and service brand of Curtiss-Wright Nuclear, performs environmental and seismic qualification for equipment used in nuclear safety-related applications. QualTech NP maintains an extensive library of qualification test procedures that can easily be adapted to any customer need, including new build construction requirements.

Curtiss-Wright Nuclear analyzes, tests, and qualifies materials and components under its Quality Assurance Program, which adheres to 10CFR50/Appendix B and ASME NQA-1.

Software analysis includes ALGOR and ANSYS finite element analysis. All physical and software testing is based on common standards, including:

IBC/UBC Commercial Seismic Code
International Building Code 2009
California Building Code 2007
- AC156 (seismic) - “Acceptance criteria for Seismic Qualification Testing of Nonstandard components”
- ASCDE 7-05 (seismic) - “Minimum design loads for building and other standards”
IEEE344
IEEE382
ASME Division 1 Section III Design Code
AISC Structural Steel Design Code
CSA N299.1-2016

Please visit the Commercial Grade Dedication section for additional test services.

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Models

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Testing Capabilities

As a complete qualification center, QualTech NP’s qualification tests adhere to industry standards. Environmental and seismic qualification processes include:

Technical evaluation
Plan development
Customer approval of qualification plan
Qualification testing
Analysis
Final qualification report

Qualification Tests

Abnormal Pressure Temperature Cycling
Cycle Aging
Electromagnetic/Radio Frequency Interference (EMI/RFI)
Failure Means Effect Analysis (FMEA)
Functional Tests
Hardware Critical Design Review
High Energy Line Break (HELB)
Humidity Aging
Instrument Uncertainty Environmental Analysis
Loss of Coolant Accident (LOCA)
LOCA Radiation (Accident Dose)
Main Stream Line Break (MSLB)
Material Testing (Spectrometer)
Mechanical/Electrical Cycling
Normal Service Radiation Exposure
Plant-Induced Vibration (Vibration Aging)
Post-LOCA Submergence Testing
Radiation Testing
Seismic Qualification
Software Verification & Validation (V&V)
Submergence Testing
Thermal Cycle Aging

Environmental Qualification

Curtiss-Wright Nuclear provides complete environmental qualification engineering and testing for equipment in both harsh and mild environmental service conditions. Qualification programs are conducted by analysis, test, or a combination of both. Methodology depends on the equipment and its safety function, environmental service conditions, and other contributing factors. Curtiss-Wright Nuclear can also provide support for EMI/RFI testing and Software Validation and Verification.

Harsh Environmental Testing

Material Identification
System 1000 Material Database
Aging and Radiation Effects Library
Radiation Aging
Thermal Aging Humidity Testing
LOCA / HELB Chambers
Power:
- 120V / 1f / 60 Hz up to 500A AC
- 240V / 3f / 60 Hz up to 100A AC
- 480V / 3f / 60 Hz up to 600A AC
- 600V / 1f/ 60 Hz up to 500A AC
- 0-120V / 1f / 60 Hz up to 30A AC
- 0-480V / 3f / 60 Hz up to 30A AC
- 0-700A AC @ 12V
- 0-1400A AC @ 6V
- 0-250V up to 350A DC
Pneumatics:
- 0-120 PSIG shop air
- 0-3300 PSIG Bottled air
- 0-2500 PSIG Bottled nitrogen
- 0-600 CFM Hydraulics: 0-10,000 PSIG static
Water: 0-100 PSIG at 10 GPM shop water
Testing Standards Utilized:

IEEE 323-1974/1983
10 CFR 50.49

Mild Environmental Testing

Mild Analysis: Material aging & radiation effects library used to evaluate the expected life of components installed in a mild environment
Temperature: 0 - 50°C (60°C for some components)
Humidity: 40 - 95% RH non condensing
Radiation: 10E3 Rads for electronics 10E4 Rads for most electromechanical devices 10E6 Rads for phenolic components
Testing Standards Utilized: IEEE 323-1974/1983

Seismic Qualification

Curtiss-Wright Nuclear provides the highest levels of seismic qualification and analysis available by test and/or analysis. QualTech NP has been the seismic facility for EPRI's SQURTS program since 1993.

Triaxial Table 1

Table Dimensions: 10' x 10'
Max Weight Capacity: 10,000 lbs.
Accelerations: 8g’s ZPA
Force Rating:
- Vertical: 30,000 force lbs.
- Horizontal: 20,000 force lbs.
Flow Rating:
- 33 IPS vertical
- 25 IPS front-to-back
- 23 IPS side-to-side
Displacement: 8 inches peak-to-peak (three directions)

Triaxial Table 2

Table Dimensions: 2’ x 3’
Max Weight Capacity: 300 lbs.
Accelerations: 12g’s ZPA

Triaxial Table 3 - Canadian Table

Tri-axial t-slotted shaker Table
Table Dimensions: 3' x 3'
Max Weight Capacity: 10,000 lbs.
10-inch stroke actuators
160,000 ft-lb overturn capacity
Random, sine-sweep, sine-beats, continuous sine-wave or white noise excitation
Capacity to operate with ZPA of up to 18 g
Frequencies of up to 200 Hz

Uniaxial Table 1

Table Dimensions: 3’ x 3’
Max Weight Capacity: 100 lbs.
Accelerations: 16g’s ZPA
Orientation: Horizontal, Vertical, or Dependent Biaxial
Force Rating: 7,000 force lbs.
Displacement: 12 inches peak-to-peak

Uniaxial Table 2

Table Dimensions: 33” x 33”
Max Weight Capacity: 1,100 lbs.
Accelerations: 80g’s ZPA
Frequency: 2,200 Hz

Frequency / Dampening Characteristics

Frequency: Typical 1 - 100 Hz, 400 Hz max.
Shock Dampening: 0.1% to 10%
Input Signal: Random multi-frequency or complex waveforms Uniaxial Table
Testing Standards Utilized:
- IEEE 344 - 1975/1987
- USNRC Regulatory Guide 1.100 Rev. 1 and related standards such as ANSI C37.98 for relays.
- Test Plan & Report Standardization per EPRI-SQURTS Utility Specifications

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