Ampacity Test of a Silicone Foam Firestop in a Cable Tray

An ampacity (current loading) test was conducted on 600 volt cables in open top cable trays in a controlled atmosphere. The cable trays were placed in a simulated nuclear plant wall penetration with a silicone foam firestop. The purpose of the test was to determine whether the penetration and firestop would cause the conductor temperatures to exceed the temperature ratings of the insulation of the cables used at Fermi 2. Test results showed that the temperatures attained were not excessive, and that the IPCEA* Tables from which the conductors were selected may be conservative.