Control error analysis of computerized operational environment in nuclear power plants

Abstract

The designs of advanced main control rooms (MCRs) in recently constructed or developing nuclear power plants (NPPs) have been changed by adapting digital and computer technologies. Conventional display systems and controls have been replaced with computerized displays (large display panels and computer screens) and soft controls in advanced MCRs. These different interfaces require operators to perform different tasks for operating and maintaining NPPs. The different operational environment could cause new types of human errors or can vary the possibility the errors. In this work, human errors which could occur during operation executions using soft controls were analyzed. This work suggested human error modes for soft controls and a quantification method for estimating possibilities of the human errors. © 2011 Springer-Verlag.