The IEEE Nuclear Power Electrical Equipment Certification Program has been launched by IEE and the IEEE Standards Association. The program is designed to augment the nuclear equipment qualification (EQ) ecosystem in improving safety by implementing cost savings on source verification and audits, limiting fraudulent product issues, offering an independent assessment of compliance to relevant IEEE standards, and mitigating uncertainties in Class 1E electrical equipment procurement.

The IEEE Nuclear Power Electrical Equipment Certification Program benefits multiple nuclear industry stakeholders by providing a standardized test plan, methodology and report templates that can help avoid market confusion and make it easier to identify, attain and manage IEEE product certifications whenSource: IEEE building an EQ package/binder. These stakeholders include utilities and plant owners, equipment and component vendors, systems integrators and plant designers, and regulatory agencies.

To qualify as a recognized nuclear equipment test facility, labs undergo an extensive audit performed by the IEEE Conformity Assessment Program (ICAP). Periodic audits assess their technical competence and quality assurance program by utilizing standardized audit guidelines with relevant IEEE standards such as IEC/IEEE 60780-323.

Kinectrics, Inc. and NTS, two nuclear equipment qualification labs, are early adopters that have been recognized in the program. Recognized labs will demonstrate that only certified components meeting the most widely accepted qualification standards can be tested.