Which of the following is not characteristic of increased automation in power plants?

Increased automation in power plants generally refers to the use of advanced technology to manage and control operations, which enhances efficiency and safety while reducing the need for manual intervention. Computerized control stations, increased mechanization, and continuous monitoring of processes are all hallmarks of this trend. They represent a shift towards automated systems that can operate more independently than manual processes.

Manual flame checking, on the other hand, is indicative of manual intervention rather than automation. In highly automated systems, processes like flame monitoring and checking would typically be done using automated sensors and control systems, reducing the need for operators to manually inspect these aspects. The reliance on manual methods, such as flame checking, reflects a less automated approach, making it not characteristic of increased automation in modern power plants.

Therefore, the presence of manual flame checking distinguishes it from the other choices that embody the characteristics of increased automation.