EDF - Aging of the electronic components of process control system of nuclear power plants

It was for this reason that the aging mechanisms of electronic components have been identified and studied by EDF R&D for several years. This knowledge has enabled us to define appropriate aging indicators for each group of components. Measurement tools for these indicators were developed and, today, the diagnostics of the state of main components (electromechanical relays, capacitors, power thyristors, etc.) enable us to detect the beginning of equipment aging as early as possible.

This indicator monitoring approach was experimented with recently in the nuclear power plant of Blayais. It is intended to be deployed at other EDF sites and will incorporate experience feedback from all Group facilities. It will enable us to reduce the number of faults on process control systems, which results in a drop in the production of electricity, and also to better anticipate the need to repair such equipment. This fundamental work was co-financed by EPRI (an American research institute) and was awarded the EPRI Transfer Award 2005.