Czech nuclear plant Temelín opens a laboratory where nine experts determine instrument accuracy

Temelín Nuclear Power Plant has opened a laboratory with more than a hundred instruments for calibrating and measuring the accuracy of measuring devices. It employs nine experts and, although it is primarily intended for the nuclear energy sector, it offers services to companies throughout the Czech Republic. The laboratory’s commissioning is also linked to a two-month outage of the first Temelín unit, which begins on Friday. Temelín spokesperson Marek Sviták informed journalists today.

„We follow the rule that the instruments we use to check measuring devices used in nuclear power plants are four times more accurate than the devices used to check specific equipment and those that measure operating parameters in technological systems. There are many examples, from diagnostics of control systems to equipment used to tighten bolts in the primary circuit,“ said Zdeněk Čančura, director of ČEZ’s nuclear power plant quality management department.

Nuclear power plants are the new laboratory’s key customers. It also offers calibration of tools and instruments to other energy facilities and companies in Czechia. The laboratory’s commissioning is also linked to the outage of the first Temelín unit. In addition to replacing about a quarter of the fuel, energy workers face more than 16,000 tasks. „Many of them involve inspections and investment projects that cannot be carried out without properly calibrated instruments and tools,“ the spokesperson said.