Successful Tests of Innovative Safety Cable Production for Nuclear Power Plants
Zlín, December 2025 – Researchers from the Polymer Processing Group at the Centre of Polymer Systems (CPS) of Tomas Bata University in Zlín (UTB), in cooperation with PRAKAB Pražská Kabelovna, s.r.o. (PRAKAB) and the Nuclear Research Institute ŘEŽ, have contributed to the development of material formulations for power and communication cables intended for use in nuclear power plants. The project “Halogen-free safety electrical cables meeting LOCA requirements for the latest types of nuclear power plants and the latest fire safety requirements according to European and national legislation (class B2ca s1a d1 a1 under CPR EU/305/2011, EN 50575 and ČSN 73 0895)” was carried out with financial support from the Technology Agency of the Czech Republic (TAČR).
“The aim of the project was to develop material compositions for so-called safety-related cables that ensure cable functionality even during accidents at nuclear power plants, such as a loss-of-coolant accident (LOCA). During such an accident, the cable is exposed to significant radiation combined with sudden temperature changes, and it is essential that functionality is maintained under these conditions. These cables are therefore designed for use in the most demanding conditions at nuclear power plants,” explains researcher Tomáš Plachý, involved in the project activities.
Compared to current options for material compositions and technical solutions for such cables, the newly developed system aims to extend its service life to up to 60 years (compared to the previous 30–40 years). Considering the increasing projected lifespan of nuclear power plants and the trend of extending their operational life, achieving new materials with prolonged durability facilitates the construction of new units or the refurbishment of existing ones. Another key innovation is compliance with strict newly defined flammability limits set by European and national legislation (CPR EU/305/2011 and EN 50575), which are not guaranteed by industrial solutions currently available. “Given today’s requirements, it is a matter of course that the proposed flame-retardant system is halogen-free, as halogens are highly toxic and their combustion can produce hydrogen halides that pose health risks to people and firefighters. In addition to resistance to radiation and fire, these cables must also meet high mechanical property requirements during operation. Functionality must be ensured not only during an accident but also after its resolution,” explains Prof. Tomáš Sedláček, head of the Polymer Processing research group.
The project results include successful tests directly in PRAKAB’s production facilities, as well as the filing of a patent application and a utility model through the Technology Transfer Centre at the UTB University Institute, protecting both the new material composition and the technical cable design.
The tested parameters, particularly LOCA accident conditions, were set not only with regard to reactors at Czech nuclear power plants Temelín and Dukovany but also for systems installed in foreign markets, where different reactor types may impose different requirements on cables. “As a result, unique cables have been developed that are expected to be included in PRAKAB’s portfolio. Thanks to this innovation, Czech research contributes to enhancing the safety and reliability of nuclear energy both at home and abroad,” adds Jiří Malík from PRAKAB.
