IEEE Std 420™-2001

(Revision of
IEEE Standards IEEE Std 420-1982)

420 TM

IEEE Standard for the Design and

Qualification of Class 1E Control
Boards, Panels, and Racks Used in
Nuclear Power Generating Stations

IEEE Power Engineering Society

Sponsored by the
Nuclear Power Engineering Committee

Published by
The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc.
3 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10016-5997, USA
Print: SH94955
8 February 2002 PDF: SS94955
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 IEEE Std 420™-2001 (R2008)
(Revision of ANSI/IEEE Std 420-1982)
Recognized as an
American National Standard (ANSI)

IEEE Standard for the Design and

Qualification of Class 1E Control Boards,
Panels, and Racks Used in Nuclear
Power Generating Stations

Sponsor
Nuclear Power Engineering Committee
of the
IEEE Power Engineering Society

Reaffirmed 27 March 2008

Approved 10 October 2001
IEEE-SA Standards Board

Abstract: This standard specifies the design requirements for new and/or modified Class 1E control
boards, panels, and racks and establishes the methods to verify that these requirements have been
satisfied. Methods for meeting the separation criteria contained in ANSI/IEEE Std 384-1992 are addressed.
Qualification is also included to address the overall requirements of ANSI/IEEE Std 323-1983 and ANSI/
IEEE Std 344-1987.
Keywords: cabling, control boards, independence, isolation, nuclear, panels, qualification, racks, safety,
separation, wiring
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The institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc.

3 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10016-5997, USA
Copyright © 2002 by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc.
All rights reserved. Published 8 February 2002. Printed in the United States of America.
Print: ISBN 0-7381-3007-9 SH94955
PDF: ISBN 0-7381 3008-7 SS94955
No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form, in an electronic retrieval system or otherwise, without the

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 Introduction
(This introduction is not a part of IEEE Std 420-2001, IEEE Standard for the Design and Qualification of Class
1E Control Boards, Panels, and Racks Used in Nuclear Power Generating Stations.)

IEEE Std 420 was originally prepared in 1973 and revised in 1982 by the Power Generation Committee
of the IEEE Power Engineering Society. Based on the activities and scope of that Committee and those
of the IEEE Nuclear Power Engineering Committee (NPEC), in 1994 the responsibility for the
standard was transferred to NPEC, specifically to NPEC Subcommittee 6, Working Group 6.5.

IEEE Std 420-2001 provides the requirements for the design, manufacture, and qualification of Class
1E control boards, panels, and racks. It may also serve for modifications to control boards, panels,
and racks installed in existing plants.

This standard is not intended to define the selection, design, or qualification of piping, modules, or
other equipment mounted on the Class 1E control boards, panels, or racks. However, it is concerned
with the effect that such mounted equipment has on the design and qualification of Class 1E control
boards, panels, or racks. The selection, design, and qualification of piping, modules, and other
equipment are covered by other standards.

The purpose of this revision, IEEE Std 420-2001, is to address the following:

a) Separation requirements as related to the requirements of ANSI/IEEE Std 384-1992a

b) References as listed in ANSI/IEEE Std 420-1982
c) Comments received on ANSI/IEEE Std 420-1982

The separation criteria contained in ANSI/IEEE Std 384-1992 were used in the preparation of this
revision, IEEE Std 420-2001. It is the intent of the Working Group that these two documents be
consistent. The Working Group received comments regarding the need for specific separation
requirements for fiber-optic cabling. Until further guidance is provided, separation requirements for
fiber-optic cabling should be in accordance with ANSI/IEEE Std 384-1992.

The qualification of Class 1E control boards, panels, and racks is included in this standard to address
the overall requirements of ANSI/IEEE Std 323-1983 and ANSI/IEEE Std 344-1987. The qualification

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areas covered consist mainly of environmental and seismic requirements that specifically relate to
control boards, panels, and racks. Other IEEE standards have been referenced as necessary to provide
applicable qualification information, such as aging methodology.

One of the issues discussed by the Working Group was that of commercial grade dedication. After
much discussion, it was agreed that there is nothing unique about the commercial grade dedication
process as it applies to the design and qualification of control boards, panels, and racks. Therefore, no
reference to this process is included in the body of the standard.

a
Information on references can be found in Clause 2.

Copyright ß 2002 IEEE. All rights reserved.

Copyright The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc.
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 Participants

At the time this revised standard was completed, the Working Group had the following membership:
R. C. Jamison, Chair
I. Ahmad G. L. Doman T. Wong

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S. Avila J. J. Gyrath P. L. Yanosy
G. L. Deyoung P. Katers M. S. Zar
J. J. Disosway D. E. Thatcher

Also, at the time this revised standard was completed, Subcommittee 6 (Safety Related Systems) under
the Nuclear Power Engineering Committee had the following membership:
P. L. Yanosy, Chair
D. A. Horvath, Secretary
W. W. Bowers B. P. Grim M. H. Miller
R. Copyak R. C. Jamison J. B. Waclo
J. J. Disosway T. Klein D. J. Zaprazny
L. E. Erin A. C. Marinos

Moreover, at the time this revised standard was completed, the Nuclear Power Engineering Committee
had the following membership:
N. P. Smith, Chair
J. P. Carter, Vice Chair
J. J. Disosway, Secretary
S. K. Aggarwal J. R. Fragola W. W. Michel
G. Attarian W. C. Gangloff G. L. Nicely
V. P. Bacanskas B. P. Grim R. D. Parker
F. D. Baxter R. E. Hall B. Skoras
B. M. Bharteey G. K. Henry J. E. Stoner
W. W. Bowers D. A. Horvath P. Szabados
D. F. Brosnan P. R. Johnson J. E. Thomas
S. P. Carfagno S. Kasturi G. J. Toman
R. C. Carruth J. T. Keiper T. J. Voss
J. P. Carter J. MacDonald J. B. Waclo
R. L. Copyak S. Malcolm R. Weronick
P. Duggan A. Marion P. L. Yanosy
S. K. Dureja D. J. Zaprazny

iv
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 The following members of the balloting group voted on this revised standard. Balloters may have
voted for approval, disapproval, or abstention:
Satish K. Aggarwal Edward F. Dowling Gregory K. Henry
Vincent P. Bacanskas Richard E. Dulski James T. Keiper
Michael P. Baldwin Surinder K. Dureja John R. Matras
Farouk D. Baxter Leo G. Egan John E. Merando, Jr.
Wesley W. Bowers Julian Forster Richard B. Miller
Daniel F. Brosnan Joseph R. Fragola Burt Nemroff
Nissen M. Burstein Wilmer C. Gangloff Neil P. Smith
Salvatore P. Carfagno Lawrence P. Gradin James E. Thomas
Robert C. Carruth John Kenneth Greene Gary J. Toman
John P. Carter Britton P. Grim John B. Waclo
Raymond J. Christensen Robert E. Hall G. O. Wilkinson
Robert L. Copyak Joe T. Hazeltine David J. Zaprazny
John J. Disosway Mark S. Zar

When the IEEE-SA Standards Board approved this revised standard on 10 October 2001, it had the
following membership:
Donald N. Heirman, Chair
James T. Carlo, Vice Chair
Judith Gorman, Secretary
Satish K. Aggarwal James H. Gurney James W. Moore
Mark D. Bowman Richard J. Holleman Robert F. Munzner
Gary R. Engmann Lowell G. Johnson Ronald C. Petersen
Harold E. Epstein Robert J. Kennelly Gerald H. Peterson
H. Landis Floyd Joseph L. Koepfinger* John B. Posey
Jay Forster* Peter H. Lips Gary S. Robinson
Howard M. Frazier L. Bruce McClung Akio Tojo
Ruben D. Garzon Daleep C. Mohla Donald W. Zipse

*Member Emeritus

Also included are the following nonvoting IEEE-SA Standards Board liaisons:

Alan Cookson, NIST Representative

Donald R. Volzka, TAB Representative

Savoula Amanatidis
IEEE Standards Managing Editor

Copyright ß 2002 IEEE. All rights reserved.

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 Contents

1. Overview......................................................................................................................................... 1

1.1 Scope .................................................................................................................................... 1

1.2 Purpose ................................................................................................................................ 1

2. References ...................................................................................................................................... 1

3. Definitions ...................................................................................................................................... 2

4. Design considerations .................................................................................................................... 3

4.1 Human factors ..................................................................................................................... 3

4.2 Seismic.................................................................................................................................. 3

4.3 Independence........................................................................................................................ 3
4.4 Control of combustibles....................................................................................................... 5

4.5 Environmental considerations.............................................................................................. 5

4.6 Cable/wire selection ............................................................................................................. 5

4.7 Wiring practices ................................................................................................................... 6

4.8 Electromagnetic interference ................................................................................................ 6

4.9 Identification ........................................................................................................................ 6

4.10 Other design considerations ................................................................................................. 7

5. Qualification testing and analysis .................................................................................................. 8

5.1 Environmental...................................................................................................................... 8

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5.2 Seismic considerations.......................................................................................................... 9
5.3 Modifications ..................................................................................................................... 10

6. Documentation............................................................................................................................. 10

6.1 General............................................................................................................................... 10
6.2 Detailed documentation requirements ............................................................................... 10

Annex A (informative) Bibliography ................................................................................................. 11

vi
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 --`,`````,`,,,`,,`,```,`,``,,``-`-`,,`,,`,`,,`---
IEEE Standard for the Design and
Qualification of Class 1E Control
Boards, Panels, and Racks Used in
Nuclear Power Generating Stations

1. Overview

1.1 Scope

This standard applies to the design and qualification of Class 1E control boards, panels, and racks. It
does not apply to individual components, modules, and external field-run cables except as they may
affect the design and qualification of Class 1E control boards, panels, and racks.

1.2 Purpose

The purpose of this standard is to specify the design requirements for Class 1E control boards, panels,
and racks and to establish the methods to verify that these requirements have been satisfied.

2. References

This standard shall be used in conjunction with the following publications. If the following
publications are superseded by an approved revision, the revision shall apply.

ANSI/IEEE Std 323-1983 (Reaff 1996), IEEE Standard for Qualifying Class 1E Equipment for
Nuclear Power Generating Stations.1

ANSI/IEEE Std 338-1987 (Reaff 2000), IEEE Standard Criteria for the Periodic Surveillance Testing
of Nuclear Power Generating Station Safety Systems.

1
ANSI publications are available from the Sales Department, American National Standards Institute, 25 West 43rd Street,
4th Floor, New York, NY 10036, USA (http://www.ansi.org/).

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 IEEE
Std 420-2001 IEEE STANDARD FOR THE DESIGN AND QUALIFICATION OF CLASS 1E CONTROL BOARDS,

ANSI/IEEE Std 344-1987 (Reaff 1993), IEEE Recommended Practice for Seismic Qualification of
Class 1E Equipment for Nuclear Power Generating Stations.

ANSI/IEEE Std 383-1974 (Reaff 1992), IEEE Standard for Type Test of Class 1E Electric Cables,
Field Splices, and Connections for Nuclear Power Generating Stations.

ANSI/IEEE Std 384-1992 (Reaff 1998), IEEE Standard Criteria for Independence of Class 1E
Equipment and Circuits.

ANSI/IEEE Std 518-1982 (Reaff 1996), IEEE Guide for the Installation of Electrical Equipment to
Minimize Electrical Noise Inputs to Controllers from External Sources.

ANSI/UL 94-1993, Tests for Flammability of Plastic Materials for Parts in Devices and
Appliances.
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ASME NQA 1-2001, Quality Assurance Requirements for Nuclear Facilities Applications.2

IEEE Std 603-1998, IEEE Standard Criteria for Safety Systems for Nuclear Power Generating
Stations.3

IEEE Std 1023-1988 (Reaff 1995), IEEE Guide for Application of Human Factors Engineering to
Systems, Equipment, and Facilities of Nuclear Power Generating Stations.

IEEE Std 1050-1996, IEEE Guide for Instrumentation and Control Equipment Grounding in
Generating Stations.

3. Definitions

For the purposes of this standard, the following terms and definitions apply. IEEE 100, The
Authoritative Dictionary of IEEE Standards Terms, Seventh Edition [B1],4 should be referenced for
terms not defined in this clause.

3.1 control board: An assembly of panels on which are installed components and modules for
monitoring, measuring, and controlling remotely operated systems and equipment. It provides a visual
and physical interface between the operator and the systems. A control board is also known as a
control switchboard, control panel, benchboard, or console.

3.2 panel: A unit of one or more sections of flat material suitable for mounting electrical devices.

3.3 rack: A framework, constructed of rails or steel members, for mounting an assembly of modules
for monitoring, measuring, and controlling remotely operated systems.

2
ASME publications are available from the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, 3 Park Avenue, New York, NY
10016-5990, USA (http://www.asme.org/).
3
IEEE publications are available from the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, 445 Hoes Lane, P.O. Box 1331,
Piscataway, NJ 08855-1331, USA (http://standards.ieee.org/).
4
The numbers in brackets correspond to those of the bibliography in Annex A.

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 IEEE
PANELS, AND RACKS USED IN NUCLEAR POWER GENERATING STATIONS Std 420-2001

4. Design considerations

4.1 Human factors

The design/layout of the Class 1E control board, panel, or rack shall incorporate human factors
engineering principles (see IEEE Std 1023-1988 for further guidance).

4.2 Seismic

4.2.1 General

The structure for a Class 1E control board, panel, or rack shall enable the equipment contained therein
to meet its essential performance requirements during and after the postulated design basis
earthquake. The Class 1E control board, panel, or rack should be designed to minimize the
acceleration levels to which the equipment must be qualified. In minimizing the acceleration levels,
consideration shall be given to existing qualification levels of equipment. For further guidance see
ANSI/IEEE Std 344-1987.

In designing the control board, panel, or rack, consideration shall be given to the location of the
devices mounted upon it or within it. The designer’s responsibility is to optimize the effectiveness of the
control board, panel, or rack as a suitable structure for mounted devices. The designer should also
consider location and availability of component mounting surface areas for future modifications and
additions.

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4.2.2 Other considerations

Provisions shall be included for mounting the control board, panel, or rack to its supporting structure.
The interaction of the plant cable, raceway, and tubing systems entering and/or attached to the control
board, panel, or rack shall be considered.

Plug-in equipment, slide-mounted equipment, or devices with access doors shall be provided with
mechanical restraints, if needed, to maintain positional integrity.

All non-Class 1E devices within or attached to Class 1E control boards, panels, or racks shall be
mounted to preclude degradation of Class 1E equipment or circuits, or both, beyond an acceptable
level, as a result of a seismic event.

Where relative motion exists between equipment mounted on or in a control board structure, the
maximum range of such motion shall be considered in the physical arrangement and design
parameters for wiring and adjacent equipment. Wiring to equipment and termination devices should
have sufficient slack or be installed in such a way that relative motion within the control board, panel,
or rack does not cause failure.

4.3 Independence

The general requirements for achieving electrical independence of redundant Class 1E equipment and
circuits are contained in ANSI/IEEE Std 384-1992.

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 IEEE
Std 420-2001 IEEE STANDARD FOR THE DESIGN AND QUALIFICATION OF CLASS 1E CONTROL BOARDS,

4.3.1 Design considerations

Specific guidelines that shall be used in the application of the physical separation criteria in ANSI/
IEEE Std 384-1992 to the design of control boards, panels, and racks are as follows:

a) The preferred method for achieving physical separation is to locate redundant Class 1E
equipment and circuits on separate control boards, panels, and racks that are physically
separated from each other in accordance with the general independence criteria of ANSI/IEEE
Std 384-1992. This method is suggested for panels or racks not requiring operator interface,
such as termination cabinets.
b) Where operational and human factors considerations dictate, redundant Class 1E equipment or
a mixture of Class 1E and non-Class 1E equipment may be located on the same panel, provided
that specified separation criteria, established for this purpose in ANSI/IEEE Std 384-1992, are
met within the control board.

4.3.2 Circuitry considerations

When redundant Class 1E circuits or a mixture of Class 1E, associated, and non-Class 1E circuits are
to be located within the same control board, panel, or rack, the specific separation criteria for control
switchboards in ANSI/IEEE Std 384-1992 shall be met.

To facilitate meeting the physical separation criteria, the following factors shall be considered in the
design and construction of Class 1E control boards, panels, and racks:

a) Termination areas and cable entrance areas provided for external (field) cables shall be designed
and located so that the minimum physical separation requirements of ANSI/IEEE Std 384-1992
for external cables can be maintained at the point of cable entrance into the control board,
panel, or rack. Separate cable entrances, wire ducts, and termination areas are a preferred
means for meeting these requirements.
b) Equipment and components installed in Class 1E control boards, panels, and racks shall be
located to meet the physical separation requirements for Class 1E, associated, and non-Class 1E
circuits.
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c) Internal wiring shall be routed and supported such that the designed physical separation is
maintained throughout the life of the Class 1E control board, panel, or rack.

4.3.3 Acceptable separation distances and barriers

The specific physical separation distances are provided in ANSI/IEEE Std 384-1992. If the minimum
allowable separation distance cannot be maintained (and analysis is not used), ANSI/IEEE Std
384-1992 allows the installation of barriers between the equipment and wiring that requires separation.
Examples of acceptable barriers for use within Class 1E control boards, panels, and racks are as
follows:

a) Metallic conduits that are not in contact with each other

b) A single sheet of fire-retardant material with cable touching only one side of the barrier.

4.3.4 Barrier attachment

When metallic conduit, raceways, or other acceptable barrier material is used, the barrier shall be
mechanically secured to the control board, panel, or rack structure by welding, bolting, or other

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 IEEE
PANELS, AND RACKS USED IN NUCLEAR POWER GENERATING STATIONS Std 420-2001

suitable means to maintain acceptable separation distance and structural and mechanical integrity.
Barriers should not preclude future installation and maintenance of equipment.

4.4 Control of combustibles

a) Flame-retardant materials should be used whenever possible throughout the control board,
panel, or rack.
b) Materials used in the control board, panel, or rack are considered flame-retardant if they satisfy
the following requirements:
1) Wiring and cabling: Refer to 4.6 of this standard.
2) Other nonmetallic materials: Materials used shall be of the classification 94V-0, 94V-1, or
94V-2 when tested in accordance with ANSI/UL 94-1993.
c) Consideration shall be given to treating materials that are not flame-retardant (e.g., chemical
change, impregnation, pressure impregnation, and coating).
d) The use of intumescent (fire-protective) paints and coatings shall be considered as an aid in
preventing the propagation of fire.
e) Consideration shall be given to avoid the use of materials that release toxic or corrosive gases
when burning, or materials that upon melting cause droplets that carry flames.
f) Whenever possible, materials that cannot be considered flame-retardant should be encased in a
material that is flame-retardant. If it is not possible to use a flame-retardant material, then the
analysis specified in 6.6.2 of ANSI/IEEE Std 384-1992 shall apply for separation.
g) Consideration shall be given to the use of fire-detection devices internal to the control boards,
panels, and racks.

4.5 Environmental considerations

4.5.1 Design specifications

Class 1E control boards, panels, and racks shall be designed to withstand the environment that is
encountered in both normal and abnormal operations. The designer shall specify, as appropriate, the
maximum, normal, and minimum temperature, humidity, radiation, and other service conditions to
which the control board, panel, or rack may be subjected. In addition, the potential detrimental effects
of other plant features, such as fire suppression system actuation, shall be considered.

4.5.2 Internal temperature considerations

The design shall consider the operating temperature of equipment mounted within the control board,
panel, or rack to ensure that its manufacturer’s temperature rating will not be exceeded when the
control board, panel, or rack is subjected to its maximum ambient temperature. Cooling provisions,
such as fans and louvers, may be required. If fans are utilized, consideration should be given to
redundancy, power sources, fan failure alarms, and temperature alarms.

4.6 Cable/wire selection

Cable/wire for interconnection of control board, panel, and rack modules and components shall
meet, as a minimum, the flame-retardance requirements of ANSI/IEEE Std 383-1974. Consideration
shall be given to factors such as current capacity, derating factors, mechanical strength, thermal rating,
and insulation characteristics so as to meet the circuit and installation requirements as established
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by the plant design. For fiber-optic cables, consideration shall also be given to bandwidth, physical
protection, and radiation degradation.

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 IEEE
Std 420-2001 IEEE STANDARD FOR THE DESIGN AND QUALIFICATION OF CLASS 1E CONTROL BOARDS,

Any insulation that will release toxic or corrosive gases under combustion should not be used. Some
examples of insulation that should not be used are untreated polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride (PVC),
and nylon.

4.7 Wiring practices

a) Wiring shall meet the following requirements:

1) Wire bundles shall be supported at intervals not to exceed 45 cm by such devices as clamps,
straps, ties, or wire ducts. Uninsulated metallic wire ties should not be used unless needed to
maintain the separation requirements of ANSI/IEEE Std 384-1992.
2) Terminal blocks, plug connectors, and other terminating devices should be arranged in
a manner that allows for an orderly arrangement for terminating the field cables. Sufficient
space shall be provided to allow for the installation and termination of field cabling and for
the maintenance of equipment with consideration given to cable diameter, bend radius,
wireway size, and service loops.
3) Smooth-edged surfaces (e.g., insulated grommets) suitable for the passage of wire and cables
shall be installed in any openings provided in barriers. All wiring shall be protected from
sharp edges.
4) Wiring shall be carefully installed to avoid damaging the insulation. Wiring shall be free
from abrasions and tool marks. Removal of insulation from the wire shall be performed so
that the wire is not cut or nicked.
5) Wire splices shall be minimized. Where splices are used, they shall be qualified for the
application as per ANSI/IEEE Std 323-1983.
6) Wires forming a hinge cable shall be multistrand, flexible wire, secured on each side
of the hinge and formed in a loop to minimize strain, fatigue, and chafing on the edge
or door.
7) Consideration shall be given to the support of field cables upon entrance to control boards,
panels, or racks to maintain the separation requirements of ANSI/IEEE Std 384-1992, to
prevent cable damage, and to minimize mechanical load transferred to the termination
points.

b) Wiring to control board, panel, or rack mounted components, such as switches, indicators, and
modules, shall permit removal of the devices for maintenance.
c) Grounding: The control board, panel, or rack shall be connected to the station ground.

4.8 Electromagnetic interference

Consideration shall be given to electromagnetic interference in the design of control boards, panels,
and racks. Methods such as grounding, use of low-voltage components, physical separation, shielding
of susceptible components, or shielding of the sources of the interference may be employed to
minimize the effect of the interference (see ANSI/IEEE Std 518-1982, IEEE Std 603-1998, and IEEE
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Std 1050-1996 for further guidance).

4.9 Identification

All equipment and wiring should be permanently marked and identified on the interior of Class 1E
control boards, panels, or racks. Such identification should be conspicuously placed to minimize the
possibility of personnel incorrectly identifying the device. In addition, Class 1E equipment and its

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PANELS, AND RACKS USED IN NUCLEAR POWER GENERATING STATIONS Std 420-2001

wiring shall be identified as such, so that personnel may easily confirm its independence from non-
Class 1E and redundant Class 1E equipment and wiring.

4.10 Other design considerations

4.10.1 Periodic testing and maintenance

Control boards, panels, and racks shall be designed to facilitate periodic testing of safety systems as
required by ANSI/IEEE Std 338-1987. The design should permit inspection and testing of any device
without removal of obstructions. Connections for test equipment shall be provided to permit periodic
testing without disconnecting permanent wiring or using temporary wiring. Components shall be
arranged to permit accessibility for required testing and maintenance. Each device should be
removable without disturbing other devices, mounting steel, wireways, or tubing. If special test
connections to the device are necessary, it should be possible to add and remove them without removal
of the device.

4.10.2 Modifications

Addition of components such as switches, indicators, or recorders can be expected over the postulated
plant life. When these modifications are made, care shall be taken to ensure that the Class 1E control
board, panel, or rack, or the component’s qualification is not voided. All of the requirements in this
standard for new control boards, panels, or racks shall also be considered when performing
modifications.

4.10.3 Specification requirements

Specifications shall include, but are not limited to, the following:

a) Design
b) Fabrication
c) Equipment mounting
d) Wiring
e) Termination equipment
f) Grounding
g) Installation (including anchors and corresponding board attachment points)
h) Testing
i) Seismic loading
j) Separation
k) Packaging and shipping
l) Receiving, handling, and storage
m) Documentation
n) Wiring and component identification
o) Environment and location
p) Flame-retardance
q) Ventilation and cooling
r) Identification nameplates
s) Aging with respect to qualified life as required
t) Qualification
u) Electromagnetic interference/radio frequency interference (EMI/RFI)
v) Human factors

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 IEEE
Std 420-2001 IEEE STANDARD FOR THE DESIGN AND QUALIFICATION OF CLASS 1E CONTROL BOARDS,

4.10.4 Quality assurance

Quality assurance requirements shall be in accordance with ASME NQA 1-2001 and shall include:

a) Test and inspection. A test shall be conducted to confirm continuity and correctness of all
circuits in accordance with wiring instructions. All wiring shall be inspected to verify that good
wiring practices, including those identified in 4.7 of this standard, have been applied.
b) Tools. All tools shall be of high quality and designed for the intended purpose. Tools requiring
calibration shall provide dependable repeatability in proper performance and shall be
periodically checked and recalibrated to ensure quality of function during the period of use.
Crimping tools shall be of such design that a full crimp must be made before the tools will
release (ratchet type).

5. Qualification testing and analysis

5.1 Environmental

Class 1E control boards, panels, and racks located in a harsh or mild environment shall be qualified in
accordance with ANSI/IEEE Std 323-1983. They may be qualified by type testing where the physical
size permits. The completed qualification may be a composite of individual qualification methods such
as type testing, analysis, or combined analysis/testing as defined in ANSI/IEEE Std 323-1983.

A qualification program plan shall be prepared from information provided in the design specifications.
This plan should become a part of the documentation package. The plan should describe the
equipment to be qualified, the performance and environment to be simulated, and the combination of
analyses, operating experience, and type test to be used. Qualification shall include consideration of
the heat generated by control board, panel, or rack mounted components. For further guidance see
ANSI/IEEE Std 323-1983.

In addition to the requirements of ANSI/IEEE Std 323-1983, specific temperature considerations for
Class 1E control boards, panels, and racks located in a mild environment are provided in 5.1.1.

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5.1.1 Mild environment temperature considerations

Testing and/or analysis should be utilized to demonstrate that the control board, panel, or rack is
adequately designed for its intended environment.

5.1.1.1 Testing
Equipment located in a mild environment should be tested at ambient conditions to demonstrate that
the operating temperature of components mounted within the control board, panel, or rack will not
exceed the manufacturer’s temperature rating, when these temperatures are extrapolated to the
maximum external temperature to which the control board, panel, or rack will be subjected.

5.1.1.2 Analysis
Analysis may be used in cases where the control board, panel, or rack contains equipment that does
not produce significant amounts of heat or where there is significant airflow relative to the amount of
heat produced by the equipment. Analysis of these conditions should apply known thermodynamic
principles relative to airflow and heat transfer to verify that the temperature ratings of the components
are not exceeded.

8
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PANELS, AND RACKS USED IN NUCLEAR POWER GENERATING STATIONS Std 420-2001

5.2 Seismic considerations

The methods used for performing seismic qualifications are described in ANSI/IEEE Std 344-1987.
These methods shall be applied to qualify equipment to meet postulated seismic forces. The
qualification shall consider the interaction of the plant cable, raceway, and tubing systems entering
and/or attached to the control board, panel, or rack. The equipment shall follow a sequence of
qualification as described in ANSI/IEEE Std 323-1983 prior to performing seismic qualification. Two
methods identified in ANSI/IEEE Std 344-1987 are discussed in 5.2.1 and 5.2.2 of this standard.

5.2.1 Testing

When control boards, panels, and racks are seismically qualified by testing, the guidance provided in
ANSI/IEEE Std 344-1987, Clause 7 shall be used.

Any testing sequence applied shall include exploratory resonance search and multiaxis, multifrequency
testing, which exposes the control boards, panels, or racks to the required response spectra (RRS),
operational base earthquake (OBE), and the safe shutdown earthquake (SSE).

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5.2.1.1 Control board, panel, or rack mounted devices
During the control board, panel, or rack seismic tests, the accelerations at the device-mounting
locations shall be determined for device qualification.

5.2.1.2 Installation of control board, panel, or rack

Two methods are commonly used for installing the control board, panel, or rack: bolting or welding to
embedded steel. When using either of these methods, a dynamically equivalent support shall be used
when conducting the seismic test of the contro1 board, panel, or rack.

5.2.1.3 Device functionality

Class 1E devices mounted on the control board, panel, or rack during the seismic test shall be checked
to ensure that the effects of the seismic test will not prevent them from adequately performing their
design function.

Non-Class 1E modules or equipment mounted on the same structural frame as Class 1E modules or
equipment shall maintain structural integrity such that their failure could not adversely affect the
operation of Class 1E modules or equipment.

Should a malfunction be experienced during any test conducted, the effects of the malfunction on the
equipment shall be determined. Documentation of the solution taken to eliminate those malfunctions
(which may include retesting) shall be provided in the final test report.

5.2.2 Combined analysis/testing

ANSI/IEEE Std 344-1987, Clause 8 shall be used when performing seismic qualification by the
combined analysis/testing methods. The information described in 5.2.1, related to testing, shall be
considered in any testing conducted. Analysis is generally used for control boards, panels, or racks
that are large and/or complex and cannot be tested as a single unit. In-situ testing is generally used to
verify the analytical model. Where analysis of like equipment is performed, the mass, mass
distribution, mounting, and shape are to be similar.

If a computer model is used to predict response to a seismic force input for control boards, panels, or
racks that are similar in shape and size, the computer model should be verified by test. Results
obtained from the computer model shall closely approximate any result that would be attained if the

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 IEEE
Std 420-2001 IEEE STANDARD FOR THE DESIGN AND QUALIFICATION OF CLASS 1E CONTROL BOARDS,

control board, panel, or rack was tested. When conducting analysis supplemented by testing in situ,
the same criteria shall apply.

Assumptions used in an analysis shall be documented and the basis for the assumptions delineated.

5.3 Modifications

5.3.1 Effects of modifications on seismic qualification

The effects of adding or deleting equipment or performing structural modifications on the control
boards, panels, or racks shall be determined for the overall seismic qualification. This shall be done in
accordance with the requirements of ANSI/IEEE Std 344-1987. Alternatively, the control board,
panel, or rack may be initially qualified with sufficient margin in weight loading to encompass most
expected modifications. In this case, analysis will be satisfactory to demonstrate that the change in
weight loading required by the modification is within the envelope of tested conditions.

When a modification is made that significantly affects the mass or changes the structure of the control
board, panel, or rack, requalification is required.

When the modification performed is not significant when considered with respect to the mass of the
control board structure, testing may be bypassed and simple analysis or engineering judgment may be
used. An example is the addition or deletion of a switch that is relatively insignificant when considered
relative to the mass of the entire control board, panel, or rack.

5.3.2 Effects of modifications on other qualifications

Any modification performed on control boards, panels, or racks shall be evaluated in the following
areas and an appropriate analysis performed and supplemented by testing if required:

a) Changes in heat load caused by the modification and the way that such change affects other

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components within the control board, panel, or rack. Heat loading shall be determined from
two standpoints: spot or area increases that may affect closely spaced components and the effect
that the modification has on the overall heat load of the particular control board, panel, or rack.
b) Equipment qualification status with respect to ANSI/IEEE Std 323-1983.

6. Documentation

6.1 General

Overall auditable qualification documents shall exist that provide assurance that each control board,
panel, and rack will reliably operate under specified performance characteristics and environmental
parameters. This documentation shall be maintained for the life of the equipment. In cases where
modules and equipment are to be qualified individually, documentation for the control board, panel,
and rack qualifications and documentation for the component/module qualification shall be
compatible.

6.2 Detailed documentation requirements

Documentation indicating compliance with quality assurance aspects of the specification shall
be provided. Qualification documentation shall be consistent with the requirements detailed in
ANSI/IEEE Std 323-1983, Clause 8.

10
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PANELS, AND RACKS USED IN NUCLEAR POWER GENERATING STATIONS Std 420-2001

Annex A
(informative)

Bibliography
[B1] IEEE 100, The Authoritative Dictionary of IEEE Standards Terms, Seventh Edition.

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