MMI concept and I and C architecture

The basic design of the I and C for the European pressurized water reactor (EPR) will establish the basis for a preliminary safety assessment and cost and feasibility evaluation. In order to avoid a premature link to a rapidly aging technology, the design aims as far as possible to establish product independent requirements, open to off-the-shelf equipment and thus benefitting from the latest progress in I and C technology in the moment of plant erection. The field of man-machine interface design serves as example to explain the approach, and the resulting overall I and C architecture is outlined. The design team comprising the active participation of designers and utilities, leads to optimal integration of feedback of experience from running plants and other design projects. (orig.)