Information Notice 1989-03, Potential Electrical Equipment Problems

Potential Electrical Equipment Problems

ML031180481
Person / Time
Site:	Beaver Valley, Millstone, Hatch, Monticello, Calvert Cliffs, Dresden, Davis Besse, Peach Bottom, Browns Ferry, Salem, Oconee, Mcguire, Nine Mile Point, Palisades, Palo Verde, Perry, Indian Point, Fermi, Kewaunee, Catawba, Harris, Wolf Creek, Saint Lucie, Point Beach, Oyster Creek, Watts Bar, Hope Creek, Grand Gulf, Cooper, Sequoyah, Byron, Pilgrim, Arkansas Nuclear, Three Mile Island, Braidwood, Susquehanna, Summer, Prairie Island, Columbia, Seabrook, Brunswick, Surry, Limerick, North Anna, Turkey Point, River Bend, Vermont Yankee, Crystal River, Haddam Neck, Ginna, Diablo Canyon, Callaway, Vogtle, Waterford, Duane Arnold, Farley, Robinson, Clinton, South Texas, San Onofre, Cook, Comanche Peak, Yankee Rowe, Maine Yankee, Quad Cities, Humboldt Bay, La Crosse, Big Rock Point, Rancho Seco, Zion, Midland, Bellefonte, Fort Calhoun, FitzPatrick, McGuire, LaSalle, 05000000, Zimmer, Fort Saint Vrain, Shoreham, Satsop, Trojan, Atlantic Nuclear Power Plant
Issue date:	01/11/1989
From:	Cunningham R NRC/NMSS/IMNS
To:
References
IN-89-003, NUDOCS 8901050122
Download: ML031180481 (11)

UNITED STATES

NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

OFFICE OF NUCLEAR MATERIAL SAFETY AND SAFEGUARDS

WASHINGTON, D. C. 20555 January 11, 1989 NRC INFORMATION NOTICE NO. 89-03: POTENTIAL ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT PROBLEMS

Addressees

All Fuel Cycle and Major Nuclear Materials licensees.

Purpose

This information notice is being provided to advise certain NRC fuel cycle and

materials licensees of potential electrical equipment problems that may be

caused by inadequate maintenance, equipment component defects, or procurement

practices. It is expected that you will review this information for appli- cability, distribute it to responsible radiation safety, maintenance and

procurement staff, and consider actions, as appropriate, to avoid similar

problems. However, suggestions contained in this notice do not constitute

new NRC requirements; no written response is required.

Description of Circumstances

Concerns regarding electrical equipment problems with materials licensees

were prompted by recent inspection findings that counterfeit, substandard, or questionable electrical equipment or components had been used in nuclear

power reactors. The inspection findings indicated that the electrical equip- ment problems appeared to be significant and pervasive. As a result, several

NRC information notices were issued which reflected such equipment problems

involving nuclear utilities, equipment manufacturers, and vendors. Further- more, several electrical suppliers were identified as those associated in

refurbishing and sale of defective equipment components to nuclear and non- nuclear industries. Therefore, the electrical equipment problem does not

appear to be confined to nuclear power reactors or the nuclear industry.

Similar problems may also exist in non-nuclear medical and industrial

operations as well.

A review of previously published NRC information notices and bulletins ad- dressed to materials licensees revealed that there had been incidents which

involved failure of electrical equipment and components such as pressure

regulator switches, teletherapy timers, solid-state relays, and solenoid

valves, which could have resulted in radiation overexposures. A brief

description of the incidents is provided below:

IN 89-03 January 11, 1989 1. 1E Information Notice No. 84-77:

A defective solid-state relay in a circuit board of a teletherapy unit

caused the source unit to move to the exposed position. This could

cause both the teletherapy operator and the patient to receive excessive

radiation exposures. This incident also may have generic implications

because of the non-fail-safe design of the relay circuit.

2. IE Information Notice No. 85-54:

A failure of a pressure regulator switch on the pneumatic system to an

Atomic Energy of Canada, Ltd. (AECL) Theratron 60 teletherapy unit caused

an overpressure condition in the holding tank and prevented the source

drawer from immediately closing on command.

3. IE Bulletin No. 86-04:

The bulletin described how an operational malfunction of a teletherapy

timer could result in radiation misadministration to patients and possible

excessive radiation exposures to teletherapy operators.

4. NRC Information Notice No. 87-29:

The Notice described several related incidents at large irradiators.

One event involved an irradiator source unable to retract to its fully

shielded-posftion due-to-a-firozen lenoidva We.

Discussion:

Although these incidents apparently did not involve counterfeit equipment, these incidents illustrate the need for facility management to have

adequate maintenance and procurement program. Therefore, licensees anare

urged to thoroughly review their programs to ensure that the procedures

for operations, service, repair, or replacement are being followed properly.

Licensees should also review their procurement procedures and practices, especially in areas such as purchase orders, materials requirements, vendor

qualifications, and receipt inspections, to ensure quality control and

compliance.

IN 89-03 January 11, 1989 No specific action or written response is required by this information notice.

If you should have any questions about this matter, please contact the

the appropriate NRC regional office or the technical contact listed below.

Richard E. Cunningham, Director

Division of Industrial and

Medical Nuclear Safety

Office of Nuclear Material Safety

and Safeguards

K. C. Leu, NMSS

(301) 492-0696 Attachments:

1. List of Recently Issued NMSS Information Notices

2, List of All Recently Issued NRC Information Notices

Attafent Attachmnt 2 IN R'-03 1S89-03 Janu ryt" 11.1W January it. I9M5 rrI

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89-07 Criminol proscution et 01/009/09 All holders of mRC 89-02 Crtilnl Prsctite of 1/9/Si P All balders of a

license.s former president specific license Licensees Formr President d.S. mC sp*cific

for

Intent

ional safety for intentinal Safety licensa

violations Violatiose

88-1020 pllmranm of ondnnteadlng 12/23/U All Jar muclear 8-23. Potntial tor 6Us siding I/s/11I All hblders at Ots

bet NRCand 0MA rlting materials licensees Sup. I of Nigh-Pressure Safety oerCPsfr PuRs.

to eC-liernsed facilitls and utilities bolding lejectina Pep Earing a

(S3 Fi 43"O. October 31. 19A) CPSa.d Ots. tens-of-Coolant Accident

58-93 Telptherapy Foents 12/28U All WCwedical Ng-01 Valve 5e Erosion "a,"8 All holdes of OLS

licensees or CS for nuclear

powr reactors.

58-9e thmatiberiznd reunvol of 1112288 All Mlt licensees

1ndustriol nuclear qagn authorized to 3t-4'. Licensae RtPert of ollectivw 52/30/U All baldrs af Oas

posses. 9sr. Supp. 2 Refurbished Circuit Breakers or CPI ftr nuclear

manufacture. er pomr reactars.

distribute industrial

nuclear gawge 85-101 Sbipt mt Contamimatad 12/2181 Al I balder, of OS

£qui~pmnt b*taee NRclear or CPs for nuclear

1-616 Instrial radiography 08/22/8 All IC Industrial Phunr Stations powr reactors.

Inspectin and enfarcomet radiography license.s

BS-10 feliran ot tUderstanding 12/23/8 All major nuclear

e42 lacnt findings coucerniog 018/12/1 All hialdes o NC betea NC aln OSKA intarials licensees

iwir anttlen of ewilty quality assurne Ralatina to EC-liceased and utilities balding

assufance progrinJ by sueplierts ro approveas for raclitisl 53 4so.

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of transpart packages nd ctve material October 31. .S9e)

packages

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0-323 Rctm prubetr lfvolnng the 05/2flM All Agraonnnt States of Suddenand/or Rapidly or th far Puss.

model Spec 2-1 radilogralc and ItC licensees Increasing Priwry-ta- exposure device autherizad to Secondary Leaks"

manufacture. distribute

or operate Rwoo ElaCtrical belay llMditetm 1219/U All balders of Cs

radiographic exposure Cased by ODidatien of er CPsfor nuclear

devices and source Contact Surtaces pr reactors.

changers

R-7 Potentially Substandard 12/1/U All balder of Cta

3-32 Prot reatrIn ti NeCaf 01/25/Ui All RC materials alvo Replace"t Parts or Css for nuclear

si'nificant incidents Involving Icensees powr reactors.

radioactive interial

Ot - Operating ticense

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CP* Construction P.rit

UNITED STATES FIRST CLASS MAIL

POSTAGE & FEES PAID

NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION USNRC

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20555 PERMIT No. 0-67 OFFICIAL BUSINESS

PENALTY FOR PRIVATE USE, $300

IN 89-03 January 11, 1989 No specific action or written response is required by this information notice.

If you should have any questions about this matter, please contact the

the appropriate NRC regional office or the technical contact listed below.

Richard E. Cunningham, Director

Division of Industrial and

Medical Nuclear Safety

Office of Nuclear Material Safety

and Safeguards

K. C. Leu, NMSS

(301) 492-0696 Attachments:

1. List of Recently Issued NMSS Information Notices

2. List of All Recently Issued NRC Information Notices

Ellen Kraus

reviewed 11/08/88 OFC :*IMIF  :*IMIF  :*IMAB  :*IMIF  :*IMSB  :*DD/IMNS  :*D/IMNS

NAME: KCLeu:lg/mh:FLBrown :MLamastra:JPRoberts:LCRouse :GLSjoblom :RECunningham

DATE: 12/ /88 :11/23/88:11/23/88 :11/23/88 :12/ /88 :12/ /88 :12/ /88 OFFICIAL RECORD COPY

IN 89- January , 1989 No specific action or written response is required by this Information Notice.

If you should have any questions about this matter, please contact the

Regional Administrator of the appropriate Regional Office or the technical

contact listed below.

Richard E. Cunningham, Director

Division of Industrial and

Medical Nuclear Safety

Office of Nuclear Material Safety

and Safeguards

K. C. Leu, NMSS

(301) 492-0696 Attachment: List of recently issued NRC Information Notices

• See previous concurrence

Ellen Kraus reviewed 11/08/88 FR-:IMIF  :*IMIF  :*IMAB  :*IMIF :I w :DD/IMNS :D/IMNS

_______------------------------------------- ---------------------------

NAME:KCI : lg/mh:FLBrown :MLamastra:JPRoberts:LtRo se :GLSjoblom:RECunningham

_______. ------------------------------------------------------------ _________

DATE:12/,,//88 :11/23/88:11/23/88 :11/23/88 :12/Z2/88:12/ /88 :12/ /88

____________OFI RECORD_______________

COPY_-__________________________________

OFFICIAL RECORD COPY

IN 88- November , 1988 No specific ction or written response is required by this Information Notice.

If you should ave any questions about this matter, please contact the

Regional Admin trator of the appropriate Regional Office or the technical

contact listed b low.

Richard E. Cunningham, Director

Division of Industrial and

Medical Nuclear Safety

Office of Nuclear Material Safety

and Safeguards

K. C. Leu, MSS

(301) 492-0 6 Attachment: List of recently issue NRC Information Notices

Ellen Kraus reviewed 11/08/88 OFC :IMIF :IMIF :IMAB :IMIF .MSB :DD/IMNS :D/IMNS

NAME:K Mu:lg/mh:F :n

MLa astra:JP e s:Louse :GLSjoblom:RECunningham

DATE:1V/88 88:11A 8 :11/A3/88 :11/ 88:11/ /88 :11/ /88

_____--------OFFICIAL -RECORD C ------------------------

OFFICIAL RECORDC

IN 88- November 1988 3. IE Information Notice No. 85-54:

A failureo a pressure regulator switch on the pneumatic system to an

Atomic Energ of Canada, Ltd. (AECL) Theratron 60 teletherapy unit caused

an overpressu condition in the holding tank and prevented the source drawer

from immediate closing on command.

4. IE Bulletin No. -04:

The Bulletin descr ed how an operational malfunction of a teletherapy

timer could result radiation misadministration to patients and possible

excessive radiation e osures to teletherapy operators.

5. NRC Information Notice . 87-29:

The Notice described seve 1 safety-related incidents at large irradiators.

One event involved an irra *ator source unable to retract to its fully

shielded position due to a ozen solenoid valve.

Discussion

The above described incidents at mate als license facilities illustrate the

need for facility management to have a adequate maintenance and procurement

program. Therefore, you are urged to r view thoroughly your management controls

program, to ensure that the procedures f r facility equipment controls, equipment

operations, service, repair, or replaceme t are being followed properly. You

should also review your procurement proced es and practices, especially in

areas such as purchase orders, materials re irements, vendor qualifications, and receipt inspections, to ensure quality c pliance and facility safe operation.

No specific action or written response is requ ed by this Information Notice.

If you should have any questions about this mat er, please contact the

Regional Administrator of the appropriate Region Office or the technical

contact listed below.

Richard E. Cunningh , Director

Division of Industrial and

Medical Nuclear Safety

Office of Nuclear Material Safety

and Safeguards

K. C. Leu, NMSS

(301) 492-0696 Attachment: List of recently issued NRC Information Notices

Ellen Kraus reviewed 11/08/8_

FIF  : :IMA :I C :IMSB

vMI :DD/IMNS :D/IMNS

NAME:KW 4 lg/mh:_ own :MLamastra:JPR e'rts:LCRouse :GLSjoblom:RECunningham

wet-- -z-- f ------

- ----- - _I---- --- ---- -------------- -------

DATE:ll /88  : t/88:11 /88 :11/10/88 :11/ /88:11/ /88 :11/ /88 OFFICIAL RECORD COPY

IN 89- January , 1989 No specific action or written response is required by this Information Notice.

If you should have any questions about this matter, please contact the

the appropriate NRC Regional Office or the technical contact listed below.

Richard E. Cunningham, Director

Division of Industrial and

Medical Nuclear Safety

Office of Nuclear Material Safety

and Safeguards

K. C. Leu, NMSS

(301) 492-0696 Attachment:

1. List of recently issued NMSS Information Notices

2. List of all recently issued NRC Information Notices

• See previous concurrence

Ellen Kraus

reviewed 11/08/88 OFC :*IMIF  :*IMIF  :*IMAB  :*IMIF  :*IMSB  :*DD/IMNS  :*D/IMNS

NAME: KCLeu:lg/mh:FLBrown :MLamastra:JPRoberts:LCRouse :GLSjoblom :RECunningham

DATE: 12/ /88 :11/23/88:11/23/88 :11/23/88 :12/ /88 :12/ /88 :12/ /88

-_- _- ___-__-__-_ -__ -__ -_____ -_ -_-_-_-__

-_- _- _- _____________- _- ___- __

OFFICIAL RECORD COPY

IN 89- January , 1989 No pecific action or written response is required by this Information Notice.

If u should have any questions about this matter, please contact the

the a ropriate NRC Regional Office or the technical contact listed below.

Richard E. Cunningham, Director

Division of Industrial and

Medical Nuclear Safety

Office of Nuclear Material Safety

and Safeguards

K. Leu, NMSS

(301) 492-0696 Attachment: List of recentl issued NRC Information Notices

• See previous concurrence

Ellen Kraus

reviewed 11/08/88

-_ -_-_-_-_-_-_- -_ _-_- _- _ -_

OFC :*IMIF  :*IMIF  :*IMAB  :*IMIF  :*IMSB :DD/IMNS ,zD/IMNS A

---

t1 L -- - ---

NAME: KCLeu:lg/mh:FLBrown :MLamastra:JPRoberts:LCRouse :GL bqom:RECunningham

________________-_- - -

__- - - - -- - - - - - --------  ; ------- m o- - - - -

DATE: 12/ /88 :11/23/88:11/23/88 :11/23/88 :12/ /88 %>J/88:21/oJ'/8V

OFFICIAL RECORD COPY

IN 89- January , 1989 o specific action or written response is required by this Information Notice.

r\,you should have any questions about this matter, please contact the

the\a opriate NRC Regional Office or the technical contact listed below.

Richard E. Cunningham, Director

Division of Industrial and

Medical Nuclear Safety

Office of Nuclear Material Safety

and Safeguards

Technical Contact:

K. C. Leu,'NMSS

(301) 492-0696 Attachment: List of recently issued NRC Information Notices

• See previous concurrence

Ellen Kraus reviewed 11/08/88 DFR:IMIF  :*IMIF  :*IMAB  :*IMIF :IMSB :DD/IMNS :D/IMNS

_________________________________________

NAME:KCLeu:lg/mh:FLBrown. :MLamastra:JPRoberts:LCRouse :GLSjoblom:RECunningham

_________________________________________

DATE:12/ /88 :11/23/88:11/23/88 :11/23/88 :12/ /88:12/ /88 :12/ /88

_________________________________________

OFFICIAL RECORD COPY