Practical Test Set-Up and Method for Determining the Response Characteristics of a Log Rate over 6 Decades

Abstract

A test method was developed using modern, readily available instrumentation to produce an exponentially rising signal over 6.5 decades. The method includes validation and calibration tests. It was used to simulate the current signal that would be produced from an ion chamber during a hypothetical loss of Regulation event for a reactor from a showdown state. This simulation scenario was then used to test the log rate channel of the new ion chamber amplifiers for the NRU research reactor second trip system upgrade.