[lazide]

Those devices don’t work like a nuclear bomb control does - that is adding resistance/controls to taking an action.

The appropriate analogy is more like a nuclear reactor. They require some system controls to stay functional and healthy (water temp increases in loop x, increase motor speed of pump y, if already at or exceeding speed z, set off an alarm).

These controls need constant monitoring in a control station somewhere, sometimes tuning or fixing if there is a bug or issue somewhere, etc.

A lot of the cost of a nuclear plant is trying to cover every possible scenario and being compliant with endless regulations for stuff like this (and everything else).

That most non-nuclear plants don’t want to deal with the hassle and expense shouldn’t surprise anyone. That non-nuclear plants often don’t even TRY to cover basic cases SHOULD dismay and surprise people. These issues have been well known and publicized for literally 30 years.

A reason safety guys in these industries have the saying ‘regulations are written in blood’ is often not because no one sees the danger. Rather, until the body count reaches a certain point, no one can justify the expense to require it be fixed.