Abstract: For a sudden loss of power in reactor coolant pump (RCP), a calculation model of rotor speed and flow characteristics based on rated parameters was studied. The derived model was verified by comparing with the power-off experimental data of 100D RCP. The results indicate that it can be used in preliminary design calculation and verification analysis. Then a design criterion of RCP was described based on the calculation model. The moment of inertia in AP1000 RCP was verified by this criterion.