Setpoints Nuclear Safety Related Instrumentation Used 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.

This guide deals primarily with design requirements for instrumentation and control systems important to safety but not part of the protection system (Safety Series No. 50-SG-D3). It gives recommendations on instrumentation and control systems for the prevention or termination of plant transients to avoid, if possible, the actuation of safety systems.