Human machine interface design in new CANDU control centres

The design process and features of new CANDU (Canadian Deuterium Uranium) control centres are discussed. The design process incorporates the systematic consideration of human factors (HF) issues as part of the overall systems engineering activity. This design process has been based on international standards for control center design. CANDU control centers have evolved through three generations of designs with the current advanced designs representing the fourth generation. CANDU plants have always incorporated digital technologies. Video display units (VDUs) have been present in CANDU control centers since the late 1960s. Advanced designs, such as the CANDU 3, make use of a distributed control system feeding data to a plant-wide LAN. The operator interface system is based on a set of nodes on the plant-wide LAN which then feed various VDUs in the control centers. Large-scale wall displays are also used to present operators with a plant overview. Details of the HF aspects of the control center design process and the CANDU 3 control room are discussed.<
>