MTA-MA-004 - Revision history

Colton Smith: Revision 0 Reviewed by Monica Hurley

2026-03-17T12:58:44Z

Revision 0 Reviewed by Monica Hurley

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 {{DISPLAYTITLE:Implement Wireless Network Infrastructure Using WiFi - MTA-MA-004}}
 {{MTATemplate||
 | Date |12/15/2020
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 Implementation Guideline for Wireless Networks and Wireless Equipment Condition Monitoring (EPRI [https://www.epri.com/research/products/1019186 1019186])
-| Industry SME | EPRI – Nick Camilli
+| Industry SME | EPRI PRR
 Contact: NuclearPlantMod@epri.com
 | Previous Implementation | Please contact EPRI for implementation examples and contacts.
 | Implementation Enablers | N/A
 | Applicability | All reactor types
 All geographic regions
@@ Line 39: / Line 33: @@
 * Paperless procedures and work orders that can be accessed wirelessly to reduce printing costs as well as reduce expenses and errors.
 * Wireless cameras and thermal imaging devices to reduce fire watch staffing.
-* Compared to a DAS (MTA-MA-003: Implement Wireless Network Infrastructure Using a Distributed Antenna System), the benefit of a WiFi network is that it is owned and managed by the utility’s IT department and therefore not reliant on an outside company. Many plants already have a WiFi business network in place, allowing expansion of an existing capability; DAS typically must be installed entirely new. WiFi is widely used and accepted across industries, making it more familiar to typical users and IT staff than DAS.
+* Compared to a DAS ([[MTA-MA-003| MTA-MA-003: Implement Wireless Network Infrastructure Using a Distributed Antenna System]]), the benefit of a WiFi network is that it is owned and managed by the utility’s IT department and therefore not reliant on an outside company. Many plants already have a WiFi business network in place, allowing expansion of an existing capability; DAS typically must be installed entirely new. WiFi is widely used and accepted across industries, making it more familiar to typical users and IT staff than DAS.
 ==Costs and Schedule==
@@ Line 51: / Line 45: @@
 ==Risks==
 * Cybersecurity – If the system is not properly segmented and implemented, potential cyber-security deficiencies may result in an increase in vulnerability to cybersecurity threats. Following the cyber security guidance in the available reference implementation guidance will mitigate this risk.
-* Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) – If EMC implications are not considered, then WiFi applications could potentially adversely affect nearby equipment, and the overall benefits of other modernization improvements that use this enabling technology could be impacted. Following the NRC EMC requirements and guidance for EMC testing in the available reference implementation guidance will mitigate this risk.
+* Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) – If EMC implications are not considered, then WiFi applications could potentially adversely affect nearby equipment, and the overall benefits of other modernization improvements that use this enabling technology could be impacted. Following the US NRC EMC requirements and guidance for EMC testing in the available reference implementation guidance will mitigate this risk.

Jacob Sommer: 1 revision imported

2026-03-05T01:37:54Z

1 revision imported

← Older revision	Revision as of 01:37, 5 March 2026
(No difference)

10.142.237.162 at 19:43, 3 March 2026

2026-03-03T19:43:46Z

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{{DISPLAYTITLE:Implement Wireless Network Infrastructure Using WiFi - MTA-MA-004}}
{{MTATemplate||
| Date |12/15/2020
| Functional Area Where Benefits Will Be Realized | Maintenance
| Reference Implementation Guidance |
Guidelines for Electromagnetic Compatibility Testing of Power Plant Equipment: Revision 5 to TR-102323 (EPRI [https://www.epri.com/research/products/3002015757 3002015757])

Implementation Guideline for Wireless Networks and Wireless Equipment Condition Monitoring (EPRI [https://www.epri.com/research/products/1019186 1019186])
| Industry SME | EPRI – Nick Camilli

Contact: NuclearPlantMod@epri.com
| Previous Implementation | Please contact EPRI for implementation examples and contacts.
| Implementation Enablers | N/A
| SWEEP Score |
* Cost – Level 1 – Implementation of a wireless network using WiFi throughout a nuclear facility is estimated to cost greater than $5 million.
* Savings – Level 0 – Savings are not evaluated because the technology is an enabler, which does not inherently produce cost savings but permits implementation of other improvements.
* Payback – Level 0 – No identified payback period since the technology improvement is an enabler. Payback is shared among modernization improvements that will use this enabling technology.
* Technical Readiness – Level 3 – This technology is commercially available and is already installed at commercial nuclear sites.
* Licensing Readiness – Level 3 – This technology has already been implemented at nuclear power plants. No changes to the site license would be required to install the technology. This evaluation does not include the potential modernization improvements that could be implemented using this enabling technology.
* Implementation Proficiency – Level 2 – The implementation proficiency of WiFi is dependent on site‑specific experience related to wireless network infrastructure and cyber security protocols. A systematic engineering approach should be taken when installing WiFi.
| Applicability | All reactor types
All geographic regions
| Keywords | Wireless network; wireless infrastructure; WiFi; online monitoring; IEEE Std. 802.11
| Business Case Analysis Cross-Reference | N/A
}}

==Description==
The implementation of a wireless network infrastructure at a nuclear plant is an enabler for modernization projects and technologies. WiFi (IEEE Std. 802.11) is an unlicensed wireless network that is owned and controlled by the utility’s IT department. An available and reliable WiFi signal allows for the implementation of certain modernization improvements that rely on, or are optimized by, availability of a wireless network connection, such as online monitoring and advanced on‑site communication. These modernization improvements that leverage the wireless network may reduce utility costs, provide for cost savings, improve equipment reliability, improve worker productivity, improve overall plant process efficiency, or provide other potential benefits.

==Benefits==
===Benefits Estimate===
Level 0 – Savings are not evaluated because the technology or process improvement is an enabler, which does not inherently produce cost savings but permits implementation of other improvements.
===Benefits Description===
The implementation of a wireless network infrastructure enables/optimizes a variety of modernization improvements such as:

* Real time communication during refueling outages to increase efficiency and mitigate delays.
* Remote online monitoring to reduce maintenance costs, reduce personnel dose, and increase equipment reliability by supporting the transition to condition‑based maintenance instead of time‑based maintenance.
* Wearable technology to increase worker productivity with less errors.
* Paperless procedures and work orders that can be accessed wirelessly to reduce printing costs as well as reduce expenses and errors.
* Wireless cameras and thermal imaging devices to reduce fire watch staffing.
* Compared to a DAS (MTA-MA-003: Implement Wireless Network Infrastructure Using a Distributed Antenna System), the benefit of a WiFi network is that it is owned and managed by the utility’s IT department and therefore not reliant on an outside company. Many plants already have a WiFi business network in place, allowing expansion of an existing capability; DAS typically must be installed entirely new. WiFi is widely used and accepted across industries, making it more familiar to typical users and IT staff than DAS.

==Costs and Schedule==
===Cost===
Level 1 – Implementation of a wireless network using WiFi throughout a nuclear facility assuming no existing infrastructure is estimated to cost greater than $5 million. Costs may range between $4‑7 million depending on the size and scope of the project. Plants that are expanding an existing WiFi network can expect less cost.
===Schedule===
One to three years.
===Scope Context===
Per unit. The cost and schedule estimates assume there is no existing WiFi infrastructure and include both the development of the Design Change package and the installation of the WiFi infrastructure inside and outside the power block.

==Risks==
* Cybersecurity – If the system is not properly segmented and implemented, potential cyber-security deficiencies may result in an increase in vulnerability to cybersecurity threats. Following the cyber security guidance in the available reference implementation guidance will mitigate this risk.
* Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) – If EMC implications are not considered, then WiFi applications could potentially adversely affect nearby equipment, and the overall benefits of other modernization improvements that use this enabling technology could be impacted. Following the NRC EMC requirements and guidance for EMC testing in the available reference implementation guidance will mitigate this risk.