Digital Instrumentation and Control Systems in Nuclear Power Plants

The nuclear industry and the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (USNRC) have been working for several years on the development of an adequate process to guide the replacement of aging analog monitoring and control instrumentation in nuclear power plants with modern digital instrumentation without introducing off-setting safety problems. This book identifies criteria for the USNRC's review and acceptance of digital applications in nuclear power plants. It focuses on eight areas: software quality assurance, common-mode software failure potential, systems aspects of digital instrumentation and control technology, human factors and human-machine interfaces, safety and reliability assessment methods, dedication of commercial off-the-shelf hardware and software, the case-by-case licensing process, and the adequacy of technical infrastructure. Table of Contents Front Matter Executive Summary Introduction Current Analog Instrumentation and Control Systems The Transition to Digital Instrumentation and Control Systems The Key Technical and Strategic Issues References Appendix A: Biographical Sketches of Committee Members Appendix B: Committee Meetings Appendix C: Nuclear Regulatory Commission Licensing of Digital I&C Technology Appendix D: Development of the Final List of Eight Issues