NPP safety problems and equipment strength problems for life extension of the first generation units

NPP safety and strength of elements of primary coolant circuit equipment operated under pressure are treated in mutual relation. The problem is analyzed as applied to the actual situation with possible prolongation of the operation service of the first generation power blocks. Because of impossible modernization of the first generation blocks in relation to the present-day demands of safety as proper protection and localizing safety systems it must be formulated and realized effective compensating measures on alternative stages of all-round protection. As one of such measures it is proposed to give a special attention to diagnostics of the recourse of equipment with account of project and occurring real cyclic and other loads