The non-safety instrumentation systems are wide open for technological advancements. Software controlled non-safety digital systems are attractive to the utility owner and do not hold as much concern with the regulator as safety systems. (US Regulator action is trending to more demanding requirements for NSSS digital control systems, as common mode failures in NSSS control systems have implications on the safety system response of the plant.)

The new high-tech devices such as fiber-based sensors, and ultrasonic sensors have the attractiveness for use throughout the NSSS and BOP systems. The small scale of many iPWRs provides an opportunity to use more state-of-the-art devices with better accuracy, better ease of installation, lower maintenance, better availability, etc.

The I&C designer’s dilemma for instrumentation for the iPWR non-safety systems, is whether to use new technology with less of a nuclear track record or to use the traditional nuclear instrumentation with years of nuclear experience and pedigree. Some iPWR BOP systems and some iPWR NSSS systems could utilize the same instrumentation as a large traditional nuclear plant. The degree of similarity of the iPWR BOP systems to the existing large PWR BOP systems would determine the potential to use traditional instrumentation; however, the new and unique nature of the iPWR’s design would create the opportunity for new instrumentation applications. It is likely that new iPWR non-safety designs will utilize some new technology already on the market, but not currently used at the existing large PWRs.