Application of electrical insulation to nuclear reactor containment motors

This paper discusses the special insulation requirements for motors installed within the containment structure of a nuclear power plant. Because such motors are essential to ensuring plant safety, a special design approach and its relationship to the broader IEEE standardization program is presented. This discussion is limited to insulation systems such as those used in continuous duty Reactor Containment Fan Cooler (RCFC) motors. These motors drive the large heat-exchanger fans for removal of heat from the containment of ordinary Pressurized Water Reactors (PWR). They also provide air circulation for cooling and filtering during and following a postulated loss-of-coolant accident.