The AP600 instrumentation and control (I&C) system is based on existing digital technology and hardware, which ensures greater design flexibility; improves plant safety, availability, reliability, and maintainability; and dramatically reduces the quantity of plant cabling. Included in the I&C systems are the main and emergency control boards, the plant protection system, the NSSS control systems, the turbine-generator control system, the BOP control systems, and the plant-wide monitoring systems.

Westinghouse possesses a great deal of experience in the design and implementation of advanced digital microprocessor-based I&C systems, and is the recognized world leader in providing process controls for the power industry. The Westinghouse I&C family of digital microprocessing equipment includes both the EAGLE Series equipment for safety grade applications, and the Westinghouse Distributed Processing Family (WDPF) equipment for non-safety grade applications.

The EAGLE Series was specifically designed to meet the rigorous requirements of nuclear plant protection systems mandated by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). It is installed and operating successfully in nine U.S. plants, as well as the Sizewell B plant in the United Kingdom. It is also currently being installed in the Temelin plant in the Czech Republic.

WDPF equipment is installed in over 1500 major control and monitoring systems on a variety of applications in both the nuclear and non-nuclear industries. Nuclear plant non-safety system applications include distributed plant computer and information systems, feedwater control systems, safety-parameter display systems, radiation monitoring systems, turbine control systems, and numerous balance of plant control systems. Applications for fossil plants, waste water treatment facilities, steel mills, chemical processing plants include boiler control systems, combustion turbine controls, data acquisition systems, burner control systems, and chemical addition systems.

The AP600 design takes advantage of Westinghouse's capabilities, technology, and the utility industry direction provided in the URD to provide a reliable, operator friendly, world-class I&C system.