The new designation system

for power plants

What is ?

„Reference Designation System for Power Plants“

– abbreviated RDS-PP –

is the new designation system for power plants and

related components.

RDS-PP is an up-to-date replacement for the well-estab-

lished KKS designation system. It offers a set of improve-
ments and extensions which meet today’s requirements for
designation of power plant components. Opposite the KKS,
RDS-PP was developed further in view of the designation of
new types of generating units, e.g. decentralized generating
plants.

With respect to basic and specific structuring principles,

the new designation system is based on international stan-
dards. The VGB Working Group “Reference Designation and
Plant Documentation“ have a significant contribution in
the development of RDS-PP and respectively the underlying
national and international standards.
What is new about ?

RDS-PP has modernized KKS

The development of RDS-PP was largely based on KKS,

which has been well reputed for nearly 30 years. Therefore,
the basic structure known from KKS, as well as essential
parts of the function key have been transferred into
RDS-PP.

The structuring principles known from KKS have been

revised to allow for a more consistent structuring on all
levels. Moreover, a couple of problems with the application
of KKS could be eliminated.

In the course of the standardization activities, terms and

structures of the function key have been harmonized on
international level.

In addition, RDS-PP does not only allow for the classifica-

tion according to products and/or components. RDS-PP also
features the ability for object and/or task oriented assign-
ment, thus enabling structuring in accordance with func-
tions and functional units respectively.

The RDS-PP has been enlarged

Compared to KKS, a few of extensions have been intro-
duced into RDS-PP. They mainly address the ability to des-
ignate new instrumentation & control components, such as
e.g. bus systems, as well as decentralized generation plants.

In addition, the uniform and standards-compliant designa-

tion of signals, connections and documents is supported by
RDS-PP.

RDS-PP is international
RDS-PP has been standardized at international level, and
therefore accepted world-wide.
Why is introduced ?

RDS-PP provides reliability

International harmonization and the consistent structure of

RDS-PP help to avoid designation errors and misunder-
standings, thus increasing plant reliability.

Through the integration into inter-

national agreed upon standards,
RDS-PP substantially contributes to
the fulfillment of legal safety re-
quirements, given in the European
Directives e.g. in the Machinery Di-
rective, as well as in numerous na-
tional legislative acts.

RDS-PP is a cost-saving
Like already the KKS, RDS-PP is a common standard for
operators and manufacturers of power plants. The now
world-wide acceptance is opening up additional opportuni-
ties for long-term cost savings at the planning, building
and operation of power plants.

In addition, the reference structure

laid down in RDS-PP has the poten-
tial of raising considerable synergy
effects with respect to consistent IT
based document management solu-
tions.

RDS-PP is IT compatible
Due to its consistent structure, RDS-PP can
be used as a powerful navigation tool to
obtain complex information for planning, operation and
maintenance. RDS-PP is a suitable basis for the develop-
ment of software applications, which can be integrated in-
to existing IT-landscapes. These are applicable for operatio-
nal tasks as well as for training purposes.
When is available?

The work on RDS-PP is finished. The relevant standards are

available on German national level.

The work on the inter-

national standards is
also completed regar-
ding its content and the
finalization is pushed
with high pressure. The
publication is expected
by the end of 2007.

The change-over from

KKS to RDS-PP oppose principally no obstacles. At least for
new plant projects a change to RDS-PP is recommendable
as soon as possible.

The members of the VGB Working Group “Reference Desig-

nation and Plant Documentation” will continue to be en-
gaged intensively with RDS-PP, with a view of supporting
the enterprises with the introduction and application of
RDS-PP in manifold means.

The change-over to RDS-PP will certainly cause some addi-

tional efforts. However,
this will be a small
amount in comparison
to the long-term eco-
nomic advantages, re-
sulting from the appli-
cation of this new des-
ignation system for all
persons involved.
The IT-tool for

The IT-tool is providing all information needed for plant

designation using RDS-PP in a quick and simple manner.
The introduction portal allows to access to individual des-
ignations and the related documentation in multiple ways.

These are among others the areas of the designation of

signals and components, the VGB list of abbreviations,
the Application Explanations and the related national and
international standards.

Therewith the IT tool to RDS-PP is offering a wide range

of features suitable for training, as well as the presentation
of general and detailed information on plant designation.
It is also an ele-
gant tool to sup-
port the project
engineering of
power plants.
The way from KKS to

The function and/or system code of KKS and RDS is identi-

cal in wide ranges or can clearly be assigned.

Relations can be established for the equipment unit key

and component key. Guides for the conversion are available
at the VGB office.

The following table indicates some examples for the con-

version from the KKS Function key to the RDS-PP System
key.

Note identical clear correlation correlation

correlation required required

1:1 1:1 1:n n:1

KKS (a) LAC BAA U PB, PD,PH

RDS-PP (b) LAC MSA U, Z PU

(a) = (b) (a) → (b) (a) → (b1), (a1), (a2),

Correlation
(b2) (a3) → (b)
Commentary of code letters:
LAC KKS: Feed water pump system
RDS-PP: Feed water conveyance system
BAA KKS: Generator lead
MSA RDS-PP: Generator lead
PB KKS: Circulating (main cooling) water treatment system
PD KKS: Service (secondary cooling) water treatment system,
conventional area
PH KKS: Closed cooling water treatment system for conventional area
PU RDS-PP: Common equipment for cooling water system
U KKS: Structure
U RDS-PP: Structures and areas for systems
in the power plant process
Z RDS-PP: Structures and areas for systems outside of the
power plant process
Do you have questions
about ?
Further questions and need on information you can gladly
address to the VGB office as well as to the experts of the
Working Panel "Reference Designation and Power Docu-
mentation".

Contact:

VGB PowerTech
Klinkestraße 27-31 · 45136 Essen · Germany
Phone + 49 201 8128 288
joerg.kaiser@vgb.org
www.vgb.org