Temperature Measurement in Water and Steam Circuits of Nuclear Power Plants

Signal Conditioners Approved for Nuclear Applications in Safety-Related Measurement and Control Circuits

Nuclear power plants could play an important role in achieving climate targets. After all, they are capable of reliably generating electrical energy. Safe and efficient operation of the plant requires constant monitoring of critical parameters such as temperature. Deviations could lead to reduced performance or, in serious cases, even pose a safety hazard. As a result, nuclear power plant operators place the highest demands on transmitters used for temperature monitoring.

Safety is the Top Priority

Temperature is monitored at numerous measuring points in a nuclear power plant. In order to improve the reliability of measurements, system operators rely on the principle of redundancy. By using multiple sensors and transmitters, they aim to automatically detect faulty measurements and device failures. Consequently, safety-critical situations can not only be identified, but also immediately prevented.

Why Knick ?
For over 50 years, Knick has supplied transducers and signal conditioners for nuclear power plants. In addition to temperature transmitters, the range includes standard and universal isolated signal conditioners, signal multipliers, and AC and DC transducers. These are approved for use in safety-related measurement and control loops in nuclear power plants on the basis of type tests in accordance with KTA 3503 or KTA 3505. Knick supports a QM system in accordance with ISO 9001 and a system for nuclear power applications in accordance with KTA 1401 and ISO 19443.

Reliable Solutions for over 50 Years

Transmitters of the P32100-KTA series have provided a reliable and flexible solution for temperature measurement in nuclear power plants for years. They fulfill the specifications and standards of the German Nuclear Safety Standards Commission (KTA), are certified according to KTA 3503, and meet the specifications for functional safety in accordance with IEC 61508 thanks to their specially designed hardware and software.

P32100-KTA offers flexible use due to its broad compatibility with all common thermocouples and resistance thermometers, making it ideal for applications such as temperature monitoring of the secondary circuit. The sensor’s measured value is precisely converted into a standard signal and transmitted with galvanic isolation to a safety instrumented system (SIS). The SIS can therefore react and counteract even the smallest temperature deviations in the circuit.