Information Notice 1989-29, Potential Failure of Asea Brown Boveri Circuit Breakers During Seismic Event

Potential Failure of Asea Brown Boveri Circuit Breakers During Seismic Event

ML031180711
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:	03/15/1989
From:	Rossi C Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
To:
References
IN-89-029, NUDOCS 8903090021
Download: ML031180711 (13)

UNITED STATES

NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

OFFICE OF NUCLEAR REACTOR REGULATION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20555 March 15, 1989 NRC INFORMATION NOTICE NO. 89-29: POTENTIAL FAILURE OF ASEA BROWN BOVERI

CIRCUIT BREAKERS DURING SEISMIC EVENT

Addressees

All holders of operating licenses or construction permits for nuclear power

reactors.

Purpose

This information notice Is being provided to alert addressees to potential

failures of ASEA Brown Boveri (ABB) K-Line circuit breakers (CBs) during a

seismic event. It is expected that recipients will review the information

for applicability to their facilities and consider actions, as appropriate, to avoid similar problems. However, suggestions contained in this information

notice do not constitute NRC requirements; therefore, no specific action or

written response is required.

Description of Circumstances

ABB submitted two letters, dated January 13 and February 16, 1989, to the NRC

in accordance with the requirements of 10 CFR Part 21 regarding a deficiency

in K-Line CBs, model numbers K-225 through K-2000, that were delivered to cus- tomers before July 1974.. These CBs have a slow-close lever that could move

during a seismic event and prevent the CBs from closing upon an electrical

demand. The slow-close lever is used to perform diagnostic checks on the

CB internals during initial installation. The lever is located in the rear

portion of the CB and is only accessible while the CB is out of its cubicle.

Discussion:

In late 1988, Rancho.Seco personnel asked ABB why some K-Line CBs used at the

Rancho Seco plant had springs on the slow-close lever and others did not. ABB

investigated the matter and determined that rebound springs were added to CBs

manufactured after July 1974 as a response to CB failures that occurred during

seismic testing of K-Line CBs.

The seismic testing was conducted on several sample K-Line CBs at Wyle Labora- tories in 1974 and consisted of 123 test runs under varying seismic conditions.

During test run number 100 (which consisted of side-to-side sine dwell at 23 hertz, amplitude 0.5 g, duration greater than 20 seconds), one K-1600 CB jammed

and failed to close on demand. During test run number 101 (which consisted of

(A 8903090021 ZA )

ML cl

S' IN 89-29 March 15, 1989 side-to-side sine dwell at 30 hertz, amplitude 0.36 g, duration greater than

20 seconds), a second K-1600 CB failed to close on demand. The causes of the

breaker malfunctions were not immediately recognized. ABB later determined

that the CBs had failed to close because of vibration-induced movement of the

slow-close lever to a position where It interfered with the closing mechanism

of the CB. As a result, a rebound spring that prevents any undesired movement

of the slow close lever was added to the CB design and Installed in all CBs

manufactured after mid-1974.

ABB sent the letters of January 13 and February 16, 1989, to all nuclear power

plants that have purchased safety-related electrically operated K-Line CBs, model numbers K-225 through K-2000, and requested that all users of these

CBs add rebound springs to the slow-close levers. The letters are included

as Attachment 1 and Attachment 2 respectively. Attachment 1 also includes

a sketch of the location of the slow-close lever with the rebound spring in

place and the field installation procedures for adding the rebound spring

to the slow-close lever. Additional information on this subject may be

obtained by contacting the appropriate ABB representative.

It is important for addressees to determine whether any of the subject CBs, regardless of their delivery or installation date, are installed at their

facilities and to verify that the CBs are seismically qualified.

In addition, addressees are reminded that component manufacturers do not

typically notify customers who have procured commercial grade items of design

changes and deficiencies identified in their components. Therefore, it is

Important that this fact be considered when purchasing components that were

procured as commercial grade and dedicated for safety-related applications

by entities other than the component manufacturer.

No specific action or written response is required by this information notice.

If you have any questions regarding this matter, please contact the technical

contact listed below or the Regional Administrator of the appropriate regional

office.

Charles E. Rossi, Dre or

Division of Operational Events Assessment

Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

Jalme Guillen, NRR

(301) 492-1170

Attachments:

1. ASEA Brown Boveri Letter dated January 13, 1989

2. ASEA Brown Boveri Letter dated February 16, 1989

3. List of Recently Issued NRC Information Notices

Attachment 1 IN 89-29

[larch 15, 1989 IL ll lbEt ft Albert FKaiser

loPresident

ASEA BROWN BOVERI

January 13, 1989

Mr. Carl Berlinger, Branch Chief

Office of Generic Communications

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission

Washington, D.C. 20555

Subject: Slow Close Lever Rebound Spring for

ABB Power Distribution K-Line

Electrically Operated K-225 through

K-2000 Circuit Breakers

(Part 21 Report)

Gentlemen:

Recently SMUD Rancho Seco personnel questioned why some of.their K-Line

Circuit Breakers had a rebound spring on the slow close lever and some did

not.

An evaluation of this matter revealed that the rebound spring (Part Number

146119A00) had been added to the K-Line circuit breakers in July 1974. A

search of the archives showed that during seismic testing conducted earlier in

1974 that a circuit breaker malfunctioned by not closing normally during the

testing. Subsequent evaluation revealed that persistent sine dwell vibration

could occasionally cause the slow close bar to move into a position such that

the breaker, when called upon to close, went into a slow close rather than

closing normally. The addition of the rebound spring to the slow close lever

prevents the slow close bar from vibrating to this undesired position.

Subsequent seismic testing over the years has demonstrated that the addition

of the rebound spring in July 1974 solved the problem.

Users of K-Line K-225 through K-2000 circuit breaker that were delivered prior

to July 1974 should add the rebound spring (Part Number 146119A00) to the slow

close pin in accordance with the instructions included in I.B. 8901, a copy of

which is included with this report.

A copy of this report is being sent to all Nuclear Generating Stations with K-

Line equipment utilized in Nuclear Safety Related applications. A list of

Nuclear Generating Stations where K-Line equipment was delivered prior to July

1974 is included as an Appendix to this report.

If there is any doubt on the part of the user, the manufacturing date by month

and year is clearly stamped onto the nameplate of the circuit breakers.

ABB Power Distribution Inc.

.ABB Power Distribution Inc. Telephone: Telefax:

201 Hickman Drive 407 323-8220 407 322-8934 P0. Box 1978 Sanford, FL 32772-1978

Attachment 1 IN 89-29 ASEA BROWN BOVER:

March 15, 1989 Mr. Carl Berlinger January 13, 1989 Page 2 The rebound spring may be ordered through ABB Power Distribution

Sales

Offices.

No reports of in-service misoperation of a circuit breaker without

this spring

have been received. Also it should be noted that if a K-Line.circuit

breaker

without this spring is in the closed position, it will open

or trip normally

without any misoperation.

A. F. Kaiser, President

ABB Power Distribution, Inc.

EWR/jm

Enclosures

cc: J. Clark

R. Dietrick

R. Garzon

E. Johnson

M. Kangas

D. Purkey

E. Rhoads

Attachment 1 ASEABROWN BOVERI

IN 89-29 March 15, 1989 LIST OF USERS OF K-LINE

CIRCUIT BREAKERS DELIVERED

PRIOR TO JULY 1974 Arkansas Power & Light Arkansas Nuclear One

Carolina Power & Light Brqnswick

Cincinnati Gas & Electric Zimmer

Consumers Power Palisades

Duke Power Oconee

Duke Power McGuire

Florida Power Corporation Crystal River

Florida Power & Light St. Lucie

Florida Power & Light Turkey Point

Indiana & Michigan D. C. Cook

Iowa Electric Duane Arnold

Philadelphia Electric company Peachbottom

Public Service Colorado Ft. St. Vrain

Portland General Electric Trojan

Public Service Electric & Gas Salem

SMUD Rancho Seco

Virginia Electric Power Company North Anna

Virginia Electric Power Company Surry

~- Attachment 1 IN 89-29 A RIg March 15, 1989 ASEA BROWN BOVERI

IB-8901 FIELD INSTALLATION OF: Slow Close Lever Rebound Spring

Electrically Operated K-225 through

K-2000 Circuit Breakers.

PART REQUIRED: Spring Number 146119AOO

PROCEDURE:

1. Turn the motor disconnect switch off.

2. Trip the circuit breaker and rack the circuit

breaker to the "Disconnect" position.

3. Double check to make sure the closing springs

are discharged, then remove the four screws which

retain the

black front escutcheon to the black housing protruding

through the front door of the circuit breaker

cubicle. (It

will not be necessary to open the front door of

breaker cubicle to perform this procedure.) the circuit

Retain

screws for future reuse and catch the local electric the

and/or trip push buttons that may be on electrically close

circuit breakers. operated

4. Locate the slow close lever by looking to

right inside the black box. the

It will be protruding through a

small rectangular opening in the silver-grey

painted front

frame of the breaker.

5. Locate also the upper right Phillips pan head

screw which attaches the black housing to the

front frame. Loosen this screw approximately silver-grey

two turns. See

Figure 1.

6. Hook on end of spring 146119AOO over the

loosened screw. Stretch the spring so that the

hook can be

slid down on the slow close lever.

7. Retighten the screw to secure the spring at

top. This completes the spring installation. its

S. Reposition the local electric close and/or

push buttons, if necessary, in the front escutcheon, trip

line it up to reinstall on the front of the breaker. then

reinstalling the four screws, make sure the padlock Before

positioned properly and that the white reset button hasp is

through the front escutcheon. With everything passes

in order, reinstall the four screws.

ABB POWER DISTRIBUTION INC.

Circuit Breaker Division TELEPHONE TELEFAX

1-95 a MECHANICSVILLE HIGHWAY {BO3) 665-4144 (803' 667 5109 PO BOX F-7 O8sos 664 0520

FLORENCE. S C 29501 U S A

Attachment 1 IN 89-29 SA Ro it March 15, 1989 ASEAB3ROWN

BOVERI Page 2

9. Check the operation of the various operating

levers and buttons to make sure they work freely. When all

checkouts prove satisfactory, the breaker can be returned to

service.

NOTE: On circuit breakers with bell alarms or

solenoid reset of the auto trip indicator, access to the slow

close lever is more difficult. In those situations, it may

be easier to hook the spring over the slow close lever first.

The order of installation is left to the installer.

Attachment 1 IN 39-29

ASEA BROWN BONERW

March 15, 1989 .bP]2I'%&

/ 4( I419-AoO

-5LOLJ CLOE

I.VE

1

Attachment 2 A*~IN *j 89-29 March 15, 1989

? IPIP February 16, 1989 ASEA BROWN BOVERI

Hr. Carl Berlinger, Branch Chief

Office of Generic Communications

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission

Washington, D.C. 20555 Subject: Slow Close Lever Rebound Spring for

ABB Power Distribution, Inc. K-Line

Electrically Operated K-225 through

K-2000 Circuit Breakers

(Part 21 Report)

Gentlemen:

The purpose of this report is to provide additional detailed information to

the initial Part 21 Report of January 13, 1989.

Attached is a summary of the details from the Seismic Test of the K-Line

Switchgear that detected this malfunction of the circuit breaker slow close

latch.

This data can be used to assist the user in conducting their evaluation of

this condition. It can be seen that the sine dwell test wherein the

malfunction occurred is an unusually severe test and not likely to be

encountered in most locations.

By way of clarification the vibration induced mislocation of the slow close

latch simultaneously with a close signal to the circuit breaker may result in

a jamming of the breaker and a failure to close.

Racking of the circuit breaker either in or out will not cause any vibration -

to cause this condition.

This malfunction could be reproduced in the factory by near simultaneous trip

and close of the breaker. The tripping shock would occasionally bounce the

slow close bar into a position such that when called upon to close the breaker

went into slow close and jammed. Again, this is not a normal mode of

operation for a circuit breaker.

This supplemental information is being sent to the same distribution list as

the original report.

E. W. Rhoads

Manager, Quality Assurance

EWR/jm

Attachment ABB Power Distribution Inc.

ABB Power Disiribution Inc. Telephone: Telefax:

4379 Counly Line Road 215 822-4270 215822-4271 ChplfonI.PA 18914

Attachment 2 IN 89-29 March 15, 1989 SLOW CLOSE LATCH MALFUNCTION

Wyle Laboratories, Huntsville conducted an extensive

test program on a 4-frame

sample of ITE K-Line Low Voltage Switchgear (completed

May 10, 1974). Results

are reported in Wyle Report No. 42686-1.

Testing was biaxial (1 Horizontal and Vertical Axis)

and consisted of the

following test runs:

Runs 1-5 :F-B Sine Sweep Tests, 1 to 50 Hz, 1 octave/min. 0.2 g and 0.36 g.

Runs 6-19 :F-B RMF Biaxial Tests, > 16 sec. duration up to 1.5 g ZPA.

Runs 20-44 :F-B Sine Dwell at selected resonant frequencies 0.36 and 0.5 g >

20 sec. duration.

Runs 45-62  : F-B Sine Dwell at low frequencies at machine limits,

> 20 sec.

duration.

Runs 63-66  : S-S Sine Sweep Tests, 1 to 50 Hz, 1 octave/min. 0.2 g and 0.36 g.

Runs 67-80 :S-S RMF Biaxial Tests, > 16 sec. duration up to 1.5 g ZPA.

Runs81-105  : Sine Dwell at selected resonant frequencies, 0.36 and 0.5 g, > 20

sec. duration.

Runs 105-123 : S-S Sine Dwell at Low Frequencies at

machine limits, > 20 sec.

duration.

The latch malfunctions occurred on two K-1600 breakers.

Run 100 (side-to-side sine dwell at 23 Hz, amplitude Breaker 4C jammed on

0.5 g, duration greater

than 20 seconds). Breaker 5C jammed on Run 101 Hz, amplitude 0.36 g, duration greater than 20 (side-to-side sine dwell at 30

seconds.)

It should be noted that this phenomenon did not occur

test runs and the sine dwell testing is an unusually during any of the prior 99 performed) test method. severe (and ordinarily not

The cause of the jamming was not identified at the

test

inspection and tests at the factory verified the cause lab. Subsequent

mislocation of a slow-close latch simultaneously with as vibration-induced

a close signal to the

breaker.

The probability of this occurrence is very small.

This

that many high level RMF tests did not cause this type is borne out by the fact

of malfunction.

Circuit Breaker Engineering proceeded to add a spring

which prevents vibration-induced movement of the slow to the breaker design

close latch. With this

change the latch can only be mechanically engaged by

use of the slow close tool.

No change was required in other parts to implement

this improvement. All K-Line

circuit breakers manufactured since approximately mid-1974 have this spring

installed.

Attachment 3 IN 89-29 March 15, 1989 LIST OF RECENTLY ISSUED

NRC INFORMATION NOTICES

Information Date of

Notice No. Subject Issuance Issued to

89-28 Weight and Center of 3/14/89 All holders of OLs

Gravity Discrepancies or CPs for nuclear

for Copes-Vulcan power reactors.

Air-Operated Valves

89-27 Limitations on the Use 3/8/89 Al.l holders of OLs

of Waste Forms and High *or CPs for nuclear

Integrity Containers for power reactors, fuel

the Disposal of Low-Level cycle licenses and

Radioactive Waste certain by-product

materials licenses.

89-26 Instrument Air Supply to 3/7/89 All holders of OLs

Safety-Related Equipment or CPs for nuclear

power reactors.

89-25 Unauthorized Transfer of 3/7/89 All U.S. NRC source, Ownership or Control of byproduct, and special

Licensed Activities nuclear material

licensees.

89-24 Nuclear Criticality Safety 3/6/89 All fuel cycle

licensees and other

licensees possessing

more than critical

mass quantities of

special nuclear

material.

89-23 Environmental Qualification 3/3/89 All holders of OLs

of Litton-Yeam CIR Series or CPs for nuclear

Electrical Connectors power reactors.

89-22 Questionable Certification 3/3/89 All holders of OLs

of Fasteners or CPs for nuclear

power reactors.

89-21 Changes in Performance 2/27/89 All holders of OLs

Characteristics of Molded- or CPs for nuclear

Case Circuit Breakers power reactors.

OL = Operating License

CP = Construction Permit

IN 89-29 March 15, 1989 side-to-side sine dwell at 30 hertz, amplitude 0.36 g, duration greater than

20 seconds), a second K-1600 CB failed to close on demand. The causes of the

breaker malfunctions were not immediately recognized. ABB later determined

that the CBs had failed to close because of vibration-induced movement of the

slow-close lever to a position where it interfered with the closing mechanism

of the CB. As a result, a rebound spring that prevents any undesired movement

of the slow close lever was added to the CB design and installed in all CBs

manufactured after mid-1974.

ABB sent the letters of January 13 and February 16, 1989, to all nuclear power

plants that have purchased safety-related electrically operated K-Line CBs, model numbers K-225 through K-2000, and requested that all users of these

CBs add rebound springs to the slow-close levers. The letters are included

as Attachment 1 and Attachment 2 respectively. Attachment 1 also includes

a sketch of the location of the slow-close lever with the rebound spring in

place and the field installation procedures for adding the rebound spring

to the slow-close lever. Additional information on this subject may be

obtained by contacting the appropriate ABB representative.

It is important for addressees to determine whether any of the subject CBs, regardless of their delivery or installation date, are installed at their

facilities and to verify that the CBs are seismically qualified.

In addition, addressees are reminded that component manufacturers do not

typically notify customers who have procured commercial grade items of design

changes and deficiencies identified in their components. Therefore, it is

important that this fact be considered when purchasing components that were

procured as commercial grade and dedicated for safety-related applications

by entities other than the component manufacturer.

No specific action or written response is required by this information notice.

If you have any questions regarding this matter, please contact the technical

contact listed below or the Regional Administrator of the appropriate regional

office.

Charles E. Rossi, Director

Division of Operational Events Assessment

Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

Jaime Guillen, NRR

(301) 492-1170

Attachments:

1. ASEA Brown Boveri Letter dated January 13, 1989

2. ASEA Brown Boveri Letter dated February 16, 1989

3. List of Recently Issued NRC Information Notices

• SEE PREVIOUS PAGE FOR CONCURRENCE

• C/OGCB:DOEA:NRR

CHBerlinger

03/9 /89 t3/8/69

• OGCB:DOEA:NRR *SELB:DEST:NRR *AD/SAD:DEST:NRR *D/9EST:NRR *PPMB:ARM

JGuillen FRosa AThadani LShao TechEd

02/20/89 02/28/89 03/6/89 03/7/89 02/23/89

IN 89-XX

February xx, 1989 side-to-side sine dwell at 30 hertz, amplitude 0.36 g, duration greater than 20

seconds), a second K-1600 CB failed to close on demand. The causes of the

breaker malfunctions were not immediately recognized. ABB later determined

that the CBs had failed to close because of vibration-induced movement of the

slow-close lever to a position where it interfered with the closing mechanism

of the CB. As a result, a rebound spring that prevents any undesired movement

of the slow close lever was added to the CB design and installed in all CBs

manufactured after mid-1974.

ABB sent the letters of January 23 and February 16, 1989, to all nuclear power

plants that have purchased safety-related electrically operated K-Line CBs, model numbers K-225 through K-2000, and requested that all users of these CBs

add rebound springs to the slow-close levers. The letters are included as

Attachment 1 and Attachment 2 respectively. Attachment 1 also includes a

sketch of the location of the slow-close lever with the rebound spring in place

and the field installation procedures for adding the rebound spring to the

slow-close lever. Additional information on this subject may be obtained by

contacting the appropriate ABB representative.

Addressees

are encouraged to determine whether any of the subject CBs, regard- less of their delivery or installation date, are installed at their facilities

and to verify that the CBs are seismically qualified.

In addition, addressees are reminded that component manufacturers do not

typically notify customers who have procured commercial grade items of design

changes and deficiencies identified in their components. Therefore, it is

suggested that this fact be considered when purchasing components that were

procured as commercial grade and dedicated for safety-related applications by

entities other than the component manufacturer.

No specific action or written response is required by this information notice.

If you have any questions regarding this matter, please contact the technical

contact listed below or the Regional Administrator of the appropriate regional

office.

Charles E. Rossi, Director

Division of Operational Events Assessment

Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

Jaime Guillen, NRR

(301) 492-1170

Attachments:

1. ASEA Brown Boveri Letter dated January 13, 1989

2. ASEA Brown Boveri Letter dated February 16, 1989

3. List of Recently Issued NRC Information Notices

At D/DOEA:NRR C/OGC4D EfNRR

CERossi CHBerlinger

02/ /8 OJ/ K/89 EA:NRR SELB4Di$$+ RR AD/SAD:DEST:NRR D/D E PPMB:ARD or

JGu en FRosWi< 4 haflani LSh TechEdX

02f2 89 02/2i189 e C' 89 0f /89 02/23/89' ja-dy ^