SPANNING THE GAP: INTELLIGENT AND COST-EFFECTIVE UPDATES TO PLANT SOLID STATE PROTECTION SYSTEMS

摘要

The Westinghouse Solid State Protection System (SSPS) has been providing reliable plant protection for nearly 40 years in 54 operating power plants. The original design of the system was to provide comprehensive plant protection for an expected 40 years of operation. In line with industry life extension programs, the system is now expected to maintain reliable operation for 60 years of plant operation. A new generation of plant personnel has arrived and the original SSPS components are hard to replace or obsolete. Faced with this situation, owners must choose a replacement option that meets the requirements to maintain the plant until end of life, while recognizing the need to contain costs. One solution that meets these criteria is the development of form, fit, and function replacements for SSPS circuit boards. This paper discusses the SSPS board redesign process from beginning to product release. The process includes upgrade guidelines, the use of secondary suppliers, and measures used to prevent common-mode failures. A case illustration shows how a circuit failure with the new-design boards can be easily resolved without extensive system knowledge, reducing downtime and risks to the plant.