Nexans is supplying K3 type (not safety classified) cables for the Taishan project that have been specifically designed and tested to deliver reliability and safety in nuclear power installations, the company said.
The company claims that they will ensure enhanced fire-performance in emergency situations based on a high level of fire-retardancy and fire-resistance together with low-smoke and low toxicity characteristics provided by the use of zero-halogen materials.
Typical duties for the LV power cables will be to power the pumps that transfer water between the reactor vessels and the steam generators. The control cables will provide primary control for primary pumps, safety valves, ventilation and air-conditioning.
The instrumentation cables will be used for constant system surveillance by measuring parameters such as steam pressure, water and component temperature, liquid levels, flow rates and vibration.
The cables for the Taishan nuclear power plant will be manufactured in the Nexans Mehun-sur-Yevre plant in France, deliveries to the site in China will commence at the end of 2010 and are scheduled for completion by the end of 2011.
The Taishan project is adopting the advanced third-generation European pressurized water reactor (EPR) technology.
Currently, the government has approved the building of two units in the first phase project. The two power generating units will have a single-unit installed capacity of 1.75 million kW, capable of meeting the electricity requirements of a medium-sized city, the company added.
