A qualification test for relay contacts as isolation devices in nuclear power plants

A methodology is introduced for testing the integrity of relay contacts as isolation devices in Class IE circuits. A design activity that installed a new relay established the need for a new type of qualification test. This paper describes the process of establishing the test methodology, the development of the test plan, and the results of testing. It also describes the limitations of applying the results of any specific test to actual field installations, and offers other potential uses of the methodology