NRC prepares to act on digital protection

Some United States utilities have installed digital protection systems at nuclear power plants under current backfitting rules which exempt certain projects from specific Nuclear Regulatory Commission approval. However a generic letter due to be issued in June 1992 will clarify the American regulator's position and mandate prior approval for backfitting of digital protection to existing plants. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission will be looking for assurance on quality, particularly in relation to software. (author)