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Improving the reliability and reducing the maintenance time to give increased availability is a key feature of developing control & instrumentation (C&I) systems relevant to future fusion devices such as DEMO and to fusion power plants. Standardising access to the multiple platforms comprising C&I systems on working plant including software that analyses data is one aspect of achieving this. This has been realised on the MAST Neutral Beam Injection system (MNBI) following an extensive upgrade to the C&I, to improve the operational reliability of the neutral beam plant., Comment: 4 pages, 5 figures

System, based on open-loop demand-type compressed air concept, is lighter and less bulky than former systems, yet still provides thirty minutes of air supply. Comfort, visibility, donning time, and breathing resistance have been improved. Apparatus is simple to recharge and maintain and is comparable in cost to previously available systems.

A self-contained breathing apparatus with automatic redundant fluid pressure controls and a facemask mounted low pressure whistle alarm is described. The first stage of the system includes pair of pressure regulators connected in parallel with different outlet pressures, both of which reduce the pressure of the stored supply gas to pressures compatible with the second stage breathing demand regulator. A primary regulator in the first stage delivers a low output pressure to the demand regulator. In the event of a failure closed condition of the primary regulator an automatic transfer valve switches on the backup regulator. A warning that the supply pressure has been depleted is also provided by a supply pressure actuated transfer valve which transfers the output of the first stage pressure regulators from the primary to the backup regulator. The alarm is activated in either the failure closed condition or if the supply pressure is reduced to a dangerously low level.