15 Year Life Extension for Protection Systems

This technical report outlines the project undertaken by Curtiss-Wright to extend the operational life of a critical computer-based protection system by 15 years. The project involved identifying and replacing life-limited and aging components, thereby avoiding the need for a complete system replacement and saving significant costs for the operator. The report details a phased assessment and recovery program, which included evaluating the condition and supportability of both custom and commercial equipment. Key findings highlighted issues such as obsolescence of Intel 8080 cards and performance degradation in various components. The refurbishment process included the reconditioning of essential system parts and the remanufacturing of obsolete cards. Additionally, a new monitoring system was reverse-engineered and installed on modern hardware. The report emphasizes the comprehensive approach taken to ensure the system's continued reliability and functionality while adhering to safety standards.