Thermally-Induced Electrical Failure (THIEF) Model (NUREG/CR-6931, Volume 3)

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Publication Information

Manuscript Completed: January 2008
Date Published: April 2008

Prepared by:
K. McGrattan

National Institute of Standards and Technology
Building and Fire Research Laboratory
Gaithersburg, MD 20899-1070

J. Dreisbach, NRC Project Manager

Prepared for:
Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Washington, DC 20555-0001

NRC Job Code N6414

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Abstract

This report describes a thermally-induced electrical failure (THIEF) model’s ability to predict the behavior of power, instrument, and control cables during a fire. The model is intended to be incorporated as a subroutine for deterministic fire models, and it is of comparable accuracy and simplicity to the activation algorithms for various other fire protection devices (e.g., sprinklers, heat and smoke detectors). THIEF model predictions are compared to experimental measurements of instrumented cables in a variety of configurations, and the results indicate that the model is an appropriate analysis tool for nuclear power plant applications. This work was performed as part of the CAROLFIRE (Cable Response to Live Fire) program sponsored by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. The experiments for CAROLFIRE were conducted at Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, New Mexico. Details of the CAROLFIRE experimental program are contained in Volumes 1 and 2 of this three-volume series.