Nuclear reactors are shut down on average every 18 months for refueling and maintenance.
LOWER ALLOWAYS CREEK TWP. -- The Salem 2 nuclear reactor has been shut down for a scheduled refueling and maintenance outage, a spokesman for the plant's operator said.
Operators took the plant off-line at 8 p.m. Thursday, according to Joe Delmar of PSEG Nuclear.
This is the 21st refueling outage at the plant at PSEG Nuclear's Artificial Island generating complex along the Delaware River in Lower Alloways Creek Township since it first went into service May 1981.
During the outage, Delmar said Friday, PSEG Nuclear employees along with supplemental contractors are scheduled to perform nearly 18,000 activities while the plant is shut down.
Delmar could not predict how long Salem 2 will be shut down.
Nuclear plants are generally shut down every 18 months for refueling and maintenance . Outages, on average, last for about a month.
One-third of the fuel assemblies in the reactor core will be replaced with new ones, Delmar said.
Major work includes replacing two feedwater heaters, three main power transformers, moisture separator reheater shell relief valves and several controllers.
Upgrades to the main generator digital voltage regulator, main turbine lube oil service water control valve and the service water bay supports are planned.
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Various valves, relays, actuators and seals will also be inspected.
Salem 2 has been running continuously since it came back up from a shutdown in early August caused by an electrical circuit failure on one of the four reactor coolant pumps.
The reactor is one of three at the Island.
The plants -- Salem 2 and its neighbors, Salem 1 and Hope Creek -- produce enough electricity to power 3 million homes.
Salem 1 and Hope Creek were operating at full power Friday morning., Delmar said.
Together, the three plants comprise the second-largest nuclear generating complex in the United States.
Bill Gallo Jr. may be reached at bgallo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow South Jersey Times on Twitter @TheSJTimes. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
