ABSTRACT
Simulators are widely used in the training and licensing of nuclear power operators, as well as for research into the behaviour of operators (see Chapter 8 ). Typically these simulators have very high levels of fidelity, i.e. they look and behave just like the technology that they are mimicking. This high level of fidelity presumably offers reassurance to the training community that the reactions of the operator in this simulated condition will parallel those in the operational environment. Simulators have been employed extensively in the nuclear industry since the early days of nuclear power (Jervis, 1986). They have served many purposes, including the following:
■ to aid the design of the plant; ■ for ergonomie development; ■ as mock-ups; ■ as training aids; ■ to predict emergency response; ■ for alarm analysis; ■ to test control systems; ■ to test transient fault performance systems; ■ for reliability evaluation; ■ to calculate and co-ordinate protection systems; ■ to monitor and test the integrity of essential systems.
