diff --git a/reactor-plc/databus.lua b/reactor-plc/databus.lua
index ba7a68e..937b954 100644
--- a/reactor-plc/databus.lua
+++ b/reactor-plc/databus.lua
@@ -70,9 +70,9 @@ function databus.tx_link_state(state)
 end
 
 -- transmit reactor enable state across the bus
----@param active boolean reactor active
+---@param active boolean|nil reactor active
 function databus.tx_reactor_state(active)
-    databus.ps.publish("reactor_active", active)
+    databus.ps.publish("reactor_active", active == true)
 end
 
 -- transmit RPS data across the bus
diff --git a/reactor-plc/plc.lua b/reactor-plc/plc.lua
index 64cff92..eec1e4d 100644
--- a/reactor-plc/plc.lua
+++ b/reactor-plc/plc.lua
@@ -469,13 +469,22 @@ function plc.rps_init(reactor, is_formed)
         self.tripped = false
         self.trip_cause = RPS_TRIP_CAUSE.OK
 
-        for i = 1, #self.state do
-            self.state[i] = false
-        end
+        for i = 1, #self.state do self.state[i] = false end
 
         if not quiet then log.info("RPS: reset") end
     end
 
+    -- partial RPS reset that only clears fault and sys_fail
+    function public.reset_formed()
+        self.tripped = false
+        self.trip_cause = RPS_TRIP_CAUSE.OK
+
+        self.state[state_keys.fault] = false
+        self.state[state_keys.sys_fail] = false
+
+        log.info("RPS: partial reset on formed")
+    end
+
     -- reset the automatic and timeout trip flags, then clear trip if that was the trip cause
     function public.auto_reset()
         self.state[state_keys.automatic] = false
diff --git a/reactor-plc/startup.lua b/reactor-plc/startup.lua
index dd18301..f67e60f 100644
--- a/reactor-plc/startup.lua
+++ b/reactor-plc/startup.lua
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ local plc       = require("reactor-plc.plc")
 local renderer  = require("reactor-plc.renderer")
 local threads   = require("reactor-plc.threads")
 
-local R_PLC_VERSION = "v1.6.12"
+local R_PLC_VERSION = "v1.6.13"
 
 local println = util.println
 local println_ts = util.println_ts
diff --git a/reactor-plc/threads.lua b/reactor-plc/threads.lua
index 85e2a86..afe6acb 100644
--- a/reactor-plc/threads.lua
+++ b/reactor-plc/threads.lua
@@ -125,9 +125,8 @@ function threads.thread__main(smem, init)
                                 plc_comms.reconnect_reactor(plc_dev.reactor)
                             end
 
-                            -- reset RPS for newly connected reactor
-                            -- without this, is_formed will be out of date and cause it to think its no longer formed again
-                            rps.reset()
+                            -- partial reset of RPS, specific to becoming formed
+                            rps.reset_formed()
                         else
                             -- fully lost the reactor now :(
                             println_ts("reactor lost (failed reconnect)!")
@@ -231,9 +230,8 @@ function threads.thread__main(smem, init)
                                 plc_comms.reconnect_reactor(plc_dev.reactor)
                             end
 
-                            -- reset RPS for newly connected reactor
-                            -- without this, is_formed will be out of date and cause it to think its no longer formed again
-                            rps.reset()
+                            -- partial reset of RPS, specific to becoming formed
+                            rps.reset_formed()
                         end
                     elseif networked and type == "modem" then
                         -- note, check init_ok first since nic will be nil if it is false
diff --git a/scada-common/ppm.lua b/scada-common/ppm.lua
index b11e203..fb98161 100644
--- a/scada-common/ppm.lua
+++ b/scada-common/ppm.lua
@@ -155,7 +155,7 @@ local function peri_init(iface)
 
             self.fault_counts[key] = self.fault_counts[key] + 1
 
-            return (function () return ACCESS_FAULT end)
+            return (function () return UNDEFINED_FIELD end)
         end
     }
 
@@ -306,7 +306,7 @@ function ppm.log_mounts()
         log.info(util.c("PPM: had found a ", mount.type, " (", iface, ")"))
     end
 
-    if #ppm_sys.mounts == 0 then
+    if util.table_len(ppm_sys.mounts) == 0 then
         log.warning("PPM: no devices had been found")
     end
 end
diff --git a/scada-common/util.lua b/scada-common/util.lua
index c694fd5..c72d62e 100644
--- a/scada-common/util.lua
+++ b/scada-common/util.lua
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ local t_pack   = table.pack
 local util = {}
 
 -- scada-common version
-util.version = "1.1.17"
+util.version = "1.1.18"
 
 util.TICK_TIME_S = 0.05
 util.TICK_TIME_MS = 50
@@ -284,11 +284,13 @@ function util.cancel_timer(timer) os.cancelTimer(timer) end
 
 --#region PARALLELIZATION
 
--- protected sleep call so we still are in charge of catching termination
----@param t integer seconds
+-- protected sleep call so we still are in charge of catching termination<br>
+-- returns the result of pcall
+---@param t number seconds
+---@return boolean success, any result, any ...
 --- EVENT_CONSUMER: this function consumes events
 ---@diagnostic disable-next-line: undefined-field
-function util.psleep(t) pcall(os.sleep, t) end
+function util.psleep(t) return pcall(os.sleep, t) end
 
 -- no-op to provide a brief pause (1 tick) to yield<br>
 --- EVENT_CONSUMER: this function consumes events