Highly Reliable Detection in Nuclear Reactor Core via All-Metal Inductive Sensors

Pressurized water reactors are used in nuclear power plants. They use special fuel rods. These rods include radioactive material for producing energy. During operation, the rod bundles are soaked in water; a grab removes them when the fuel runs out. We need two sensors:

•One to sense the bundle in the grab
•The other is to detect the grab's position, allowing lifting only after being fully closed

What type of sensors can we rely on?

Extreme inductive sensors can best fulfill these two requirements.

The features of these sensors:

•Integrated M12 connectors
•IP68- and IP69K-rated
•Water-resistant
•Corrosion- resistant
•Length of the sensor: 60 mm
•Detection distance: 6 mm
•Lightweight
•High reliability
•No need for additional electrical or mechanical shielding due to vacuum-wrapped electronics
•Shock- and pressure-resistant (to 80 bar) due to vacuum-wrapped electronics

Highly Reliable Sensing in Nuclear Reactor Core via All-Metal Inductive Sensors

Where are these sensors mounted?

Four sensors are installed directly on each grab, with two identical sensors working at each detection point.

How are these sensors configured?

These sensors are configured with a normally closed PNP interface.

Connection to the customer control system:

These sensors are connected to the customer control system through a flexible PUR sheathed cable.

Note: The sensors are only accessible at 18-24-month intervals during scheduled maintenance. Since high reliability is critical, double redundancy allows the sensor to fail prematurely.

Among the leading manufacturers of automotive sensors, Contrinex is one of the largest. Step in to get to know Contrinex company.

Here is more information about inductive proximity sensors.

Do you need a sensor? We offer a wide selection of inductive sensors here.