Evolution of Electromagnetic Environment Site Surveys to Support Plant Upgrades

摘要

The implementation of digital I&C upgrades and wireless technologies in nuclear power plants presents a variety of technical and regulatory difficulties. One major concern is electromagnetic compatibility (EMC). A plant installing digital upgrades or wireless systems must ensure that electromagnetic signals emitted by new equipment will not interfere with the operation of existing equipment. Conversely, the plant must also ensure that other equipment in the plant will not generate electromagnetic signals that may cause the new equipment to malfunction or fail. These assurances are made through measuring the electronic emissions throughout the plant and characterizing the electromagnetic environment (EME). EMC Guidance for the nuclear industry created by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), and others was based on these types of measurements that were performed nearly 20 years ago. However, during this timeframe the EME in nuclear power plants has changed substantially. Many plants have since undergone upgrades from analog to digital technology and incorporated wireless communication technologies. Therefore, it is necessary to develop new characterization data and guidelines that address the prevalence of digital I&C upgrades, wireless technology, personal digital assistants (PDAs), notebook computers, and mobile telephones. This data will allow for new systems to be adequately tested for EMI/RFI prior to implementation in order to maintain a level of emissions control and to ensure the equipment operates safely and reliably in its intended environment. This paper will discuss the history of EME site surveys, incorporating their scope and purpose, how the data was used to develop the EMC guidance, the limitations of the data including how the environment has changed, and how the guidance for performing the site surveys needs to be updated to accurately assess a power plant's EME.