ENS 55453
ENS Event | |
|---|---|
04:00 Sep 9, 2021 | |
| Title | Part 21 Report - Nonconforming Relay Led to Failures of Battery Chargers |
| Event Description | The following is a synopsis of information received via E-mail:
Component Description: AMETEK Part Number 07-740108-00, K306 relay, used in the float/equalize circuit of AMETEK Battery Chargers. The relay is a solid-state timer manufactured by Omron with manufacturer part number H3CR-A-AC100-240/DC100125. Problem You Could See: AMETEK was notified of a condition of a nonconforming K306 relay that led to failures of battery chargers. AEP DC Cook reported a single failure of a K306 Float/Equalize timer relay in a controlled environment where the relay failed to transfer from float to equalize and caused the DC output to fail. Transferring the battery charger to equalize mode is always a manual operation and the float/equalize function is typically used after an outage or a discharge test in order to bring the batteries back to full charge. Before performing a discharge test, the charger should be put in equalize mode. AMETEK was not able to evaluate this specific instance of failure, but it was determined the circuit does not meet the minimum contact current rating. As a result, the operation of the relay may be unreliable and the charger may experience a loss of output when equalize is initiated, failing to charge the batteries. The failed relay was installed in 2017 and was original to the equipment. Effect on System Performance: If the charger fails to transfer between float and equalize, the equalize light may turn on, the charger output will fail, voltage will drop below float voltage or to 0, and there will be no charging capabilities. An alarm will indicate Low DC voltage in the event the charger does not transfer between float and equalize. The charger will restart after the AC input breaker is cycled Off and On. The relay should be replaced if the charger output is lost. Other alarm(s) may be included with the design: - Battery Discharge Alarm - Low Current Alarm The battery will charge with float voltage, but will take longer than with equalize voltage (~8-24 hours after charging current stabilizes). The safety impact is a loss of battery charger output after an event where the float/equalize button is utilized and does not retransfer to equalize for charging. If the charger fails to transfer and the output is lost prior to a safety event, the battery may not be at full capacity for a shutdown. Each utility will need to evaluate the application of the battery charger and the battery it is charging. Affected Entities: Alabama Power Company; Arkansas Nuclear One; Atomic Energy of Canada; Constellation Energy; Consumer's Power, Palisades; Dominion - Kewaunee; Dominion Energy; Dominion Inc.; Duke Energy; Duke Power Co.; EM Test (Switzerland) GMBH; Engine Systems; Ergytech Inc.; Exelon; Exelon Generation Co.; First Energy; Formosa Nextech Co.; Framatome Technologies; Georgia Power; Indiana Michigan Power Co.; Millstone Nuclear Power Station; Niagara Mohawk; NPP Krsko; Progress Energy; TVA; TVA Watts Bar; Ulysses - Taiwan Power; and Ulysses System Development. Ametek Contact: Ametek Solidstate Controls Client Services group, 1-800-222-9079 or 614-846-7500, extension 1. |
| Where | |
|---|---|
| Ametek Solidstate Controls Columbus, Ohio (NRC Region 3) | |
| Organization: | Ametek Solidstate Controls |
| Reporting | |
| 10 CFR 21.21(d)(3)(i), Failure to Comply or Defect | |
| Time - Person (Reporting Time:+9.88 h0.412 days <br />0.0588 weeks <br />0.0135 months <br />) | |
| Opened: | Ethan Salsbury 13:53 Sep 9, 2021 |
| NRC Officer: | Donald Norwood |
| Last Updated: | Sep 9, 2021 |
| 55453 - NRC Website | |
Ametek Solidstate Controls with 10 CFR 21.21(d)(3)(i), Failure to Comply or Defect | |
WEEKMONTHYEARENS 569582023-12-13T00:00:00013 December 2023 00:00:00
[Table view]10 CFR 21.21(d)(3)(i), Failure to Comply or Defect, 10 CFR 21.21(a)(2), Interim Report for Comply or Defect in Component Part 21 - Interim Report for Oil Filled Capacitors ENS 554532021-09-09T04:00:0009 September 2021 04:00:00 10 CFR 21.21(d)(3)(i), Failure to Comply or Defect Part 21 Report - Nonconforming Relay Led to Failures of Battery Chargers ENS 551672021-04-01T04:00:0001 April 2021 04:00:00 10 CFR 21.21(d)(3)(i), Failure to Comply or Defect, 10 CFR 21.21(a)(2), Interim Report for Comply or Defect in Component Part 21 Interim Report - Failure of Ametek 300V, 250A Clamp Diodes ENS 538162019-01-07T05:00:0007 January 2019 05:00:00 10 CFR 21.21(d)(3)(i), Failure to Comply or Defect En Revision Imported Date 2/1/2019 ENS 535292018-05-01T04:00:0001 May 2018 04:00:00 10 CFR 21.21(d)(3)(i), Failure to Comply or Defect Part 21 Notification - Potential Defect in Ac Voltage Sense Board ENS 505452014-10-16T04:00:00016 October 2014 04:00:00 10 CFR 21.21(d)(3)(i), Failure to Comply or Defect Part 21 - Insufficient Spot Weld on Wire Wound Resistor 2023-12-13T00:00:00 | |