Evaluating ‘new’ instrumentation and control technologies for safety-related applications in nuclear power plants

As obsolescence and spare parts issues drive nuclear power plants to upgrade with new technologies (such as optical fiber communication systems), the ability of the new technologies to withstand environmental stresses that act at the installation location needs to be determined. New standards may be required to address environmental qualification and their application to the nuclear power plants of tommorow. This article discusses the failure modes and age-related degradation mechanisms relevant to fiber-optic communication systems in particular, and suggests a methodology for identifying conditions under which accelerated aging should be performed during qualification testing. While optical fiber communication systems have been used as the basis for discussion, the methodology presented should be applicable to any safety-related instrumentation and control equipment not covered under Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR 50.49).