Framatome today announced the successful delivery and customer installation of the first safety-related digital protection relays in a U.S. nuclear reactor. Framatome provided the qualified and dedicated safety-related digital relays, which protect electrical distribution assets and vital plant equipment.
Framatome supplied the relays in collaboration with Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories (SEL), an industry leader in power system protection, automation, and control. This achievement marks a significant step forward in modernizing nuclear plant infrastructure with proven digital technologies. For the past five years, Framatome and SEL have collaborated to develop proactive electrical protection modernization solutions, now available for deployment across other nuclear power plants.
“This milestone reflects Framatome's unwavering commitment to advancing nuclear safety and operational excellence through digital innovation,” said Tony Robinson, CEO of Framatome Inc. “By transitioning from legacy electromechanical systems to modern digital protection technologies, we are helping our customers enhance plant reliability, extend asset life, and ensure the long-term sustainability of clean energy generation in the United States.”
Leveraging its extensive expertise in nuclear power plant system integration, Framatome developed a robust qualification and commercial grade dedication (CGD) program for SEL's high-performance digital relays. In addition, the Framatome team contributed to the engineering change package and conducted an independent technical review of licensing documentation (10 CFR 50.59 evaluation and qualitative assessment) to support the digital relay implementation.
Protection relays detect faults and other abnormal conditions in electric power systems and initiate protective actions to maintain system stability and safety. Framatome-qualified safety-related applications for North American nuclear plants include feeder, generator, motor, bus differential and transformer protection relays as well as accessories.
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