Subrack: The Certified Mechanical Platform for Nuclear DCS Applications
Engineered for uncompromising safety, extreme reliability, and lifetime maintainability in nuclear power control systems.
In nuclear power generation, the Distributed Control System (DCS) is more than an automation layer—it is a critical safety component. Its mechanical foundation must meet the most rigorous standards for qualification, seismic resilience, and 60-year lifecycle performance. Our Subrack solution is specifically designed and proven to serve as this foundation, providing the certified hardware platform for safety-class and non-safety-class DCS applications in nuclear facilities worldwide.
We do not offer an adapted industrial product. We provide a nuclear-grade mechanical subsystem, engineered from the ground up to meet the unique demands of nuclear environmental, seismic, and quality assurance requirements.
Conventional industrial hardware cannot satisfy the nuclear domain's imperative for predictable, fail-safe operation under all conditions. Key challenges include:
Stringent Qualification: Hardware must be qualified to IEEE 323/344, IEC 60780/60980, and project-specific EQs for lifetime operation in harsh environments (radiation, humidity, LOCA).
Seismic Integrity: Components must maintain structural and functional integrity during Design Basis Earthquakes (DBE), requiring rigorous analysis (IEEE 344) and testing.
Predictable Maintenance & Longevity: Systems must support maintenance, testing, and potential upgrades over a 60-year plant life without compromising safety or introducing undocumented configurations.
Safety System Separation: Physical and electrical segregation between safety-class (1E) and non-safety systems must be inherently supported by the mechanical architecture.
Traceability & Documentation: Every component requires full material traceability and documentation compliant with nuclear QA programs (ASME NQA-1 or equivalent).
Our Nuclear Subrack Platform is purpose-built to address this complete set of requirements.
1. Seismic-Qualified Construction
Our subrack chassis and modules are analyzed and tested to withstand seismic events. We provide certified seismic calculations (static or dynamic analysis) and can support shake-table testing to prove performance under DBE conditions.
2. Environmental Qualification
The platform is designed for qualification under extended temperature, humidity, and radiation profiles. We use materials and coatings verified for long-term stability in nuclear containment and auxiliary building environments.
3. Lifetime Service & Configuration Management
The hot-swappable, modular design allows for safe, offline maintenance of individual channels or modules without disturbing the overall system. Our design ensures module interchangeability and configuration freeze over the plant's entire lifecycle.
4. Enhanced Safety & Segregation
Features such as isolated power rail segments, physical keying, and dedicated slots for diverse redundancy support the implementation of safety-class systems and clear separation mandates.
5. Nuclear QA Compliance
Manufactured under a quality assurance program compliant with nuclear standards, we deliver full material certifications, assembly records, and a documentation package tailored for nuclear project integration.
| Category | Specification & Qualification |
|---|---|
| Base Platform | 19”/84HP, 3U/4U/6U heights; Reinforced steel/aluminum construction |
| Seismic Rating | Designed & analyzed per IEEE 344. Capable of meeting >5g SSRT requirements. |
| Environmental | Designed for EQ to IEEE 323 for specified service life (radiation, thermal, humidity). |
| Redundancy | Fully dual-redundant, hot-swappable power supplies and cooling modules. |
| Connectivity | Front-access for maintenance; rear panel for permanent cabling. Firewall-rated bulkhead options. |
| Safety Compliance | Supports implementation of IEC 61508 / IEC 61513 architectures. |
| Quality Assurance | Design and manufacturing processes align with ASME NQA-1 or customer-specified QA requirements. |
Application in Nuclear Power Projects
Our Subracks are deployed as the building blocks for critical systems:
Reactor Protection System (RPS) & Engineered Safety Features (ESF) cabinets.
Plant Control System (PCS) and Balance of Plant (BOP) DCS nodes.
Radiation Monitoring & Process Control instrumentation racks.
Turbine Island Control & Generator Excitation systems.
Modernization & Refurbishment projects, replacing obsolete OEM hardware with a maintainable, long-term solution.
Choosing a mechanical partner for nuclear projects requires more than a product datasheet—it requires proven experience, a commitment to nuclear culture, and a solution designed for total lifecycle responsibility.
Our Nuclear Subrack Platform delivers the qualified, reliable, and maintainable hardware foundation your safety-critical DCS demands.
Ensure predictability. Ensure safety. Ensure longevity.
Contact our nuclear applications team to review your project specifications and qualification needs.
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