Hardware reliability assessment of safety related and safety critical systems in nuclear power plants

摘要

In nuclear power plants, both new and old, computer based instrumentation and control (I and C) systems are being used increasingly in safety related applications, such as some functions of the process control and monitoring systems, as well as in safety critical applications, such as reactor protection or actuation of engineered safety systems. The dependability of computer based systems important to safety is therefore of prime interest and should be ensured. However computer based systems have some characteristics that make them different from other electronic control (hardwired) systems and hence necessitate a different approach to demonstrate their safety and reliability.