FIELD: thermionic method of heat-to-power conversion; thermionic converter reactors with fuel assemblies inside reactor core. SUBSTANCE: electric power produced by power-generating assembly is measured in the course of reactor tests at working point, dump heat power is measured for each power-generating element at working and short-circuit points, their difference is recorded, and definite elements are read-out as short- circuited ones; current-voltage characteristic is taken to record electrical breakdown; breakdown voltage is recorded when taking current-voltage characteristic; power-generating element number where breakdown has occurred is identified, and electric strength of collector pack is calculated using definite equation. EFFECT: facilitated procedure.
