Failure mechanism analysis and experimental study of tubular fuses for nuclear power plants

As a pivotal component within the instrumentation and control (I&C) system and the electrical infrastructure of nuclear power plants (NPPs), the fuse plays a crucial role in ensuring the safe and stable operation of NPPs. Consequently, a thorough analysis and exploration of the failure mechanisms underlying the tube fuses employed in NPPs were conducted in this study. This involved identifying sensitive stresses and performing reliability enhancement tests, including damp heat and steady-state unsaturated pressurized vapor tests, on the fuses. Through a combination of failure analysis and testing, the failure mechanisms of the selected fuses were verified. This research holds immense value for the operational maintenance of fuses in NPPs and for enhancing their inherent reliability.