Criteria for Determining the Safety of Wireless Technologies at Nuclear Power Plants

When many of the nuclear power plants (NPPs) currently in operation were built, there were no feasible solutions for wireless systems. Today, other industries have embraced the use of wireless technology. However, the nuclear industry has been reluctant to implement wireless technology, and although its use is increasing, the transition is a slow process. Issues of concern regarding the introduction/increased use of wireless communications and networks include infrastructure, safety and reliability regulatory issues, cybersecurity threats, and the potential for electromagnetic/radiofrequency interference (EMI/RFI) with plant safety systems. Over the years, however, wireless communication technologies have evolved and now offer many solutions for data transfer, audio and visual communication, monitoring and control, and surveillance. Many other industries have demonstrated the benefits of their use. Many equipment manufacturers offer components that include devices with wireless communication capabilities and wireless sensors. Wireless technology has not been used in NPPs in safety-related or important-to-safety–related applications, because of restrictions in safety and security. One of the major concerns is the electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) of existing components to EMI or RFI and the vulnerability to wireless transmission for safety functions. Wireless networks must maintain the same level of safety as a wired system and must address security (cyber), EMI/RFI, and coexistence issues. Seven applications of wireless technology in limited use today in NPPs were identified. With increased use, it is only a matter of time until licensees begin to explore the use of wireless technologies in safety or important-to-safety applications. Numerous wireless pilot projects are illustrating the possibilities. The continued evolution of wireless technology, the increased use of that technology, and the cost savings and flexibility it offers reinforce the efforts of the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to maintain current requirements and guidance on their use in nuclear facilities. This study reviews the numerous regulations, NRC regulatory guides (RGs), and industry guidance and standards that are available for implementing wireless technology at an NPP. This paper provides a short synopsis of available industry evaluations, regulations on change control and testing, and guidance on EMI/RFI, power surges, environmental qualification, and electrostatic discharge on safety-related I&C systems. Cybersecurity is not a focus of this review; however, wireless technology and cyber security are tightly coupled as many of the failure modes of a wireless network have the same consequences as that for a cyber security failure.