ML100512906
| ML100512906 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Hatch, Vogtle  |
| Issue date: | 02/08/2010 |
| From: | Conlon W ABB |
| To: | Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
| References | |
| 45686 | |
| Download: ML100512906 (4) | |
Text
02108ý2010 U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Operations Center Event Report Pa,-e I General Information or Other (PAR)
Event#
45686 Rep Org: ABB INC. (MEDIUM VOLTAGE SERVICE)
Notification Date / Time: 02/08/2010 16:38 (EST)
Supplier: ABB INC. (MEDIUM VOLTAGE SERVICE)
Event Date / Time: 02/08/2010 (EST)
Last Modification: 02/08/2010 Region:
1 Docket #:
City:
FLORENCE Agreement State:
Yes County:
License #:
State:
SC NRC Notified by: WILLIAM CONLON Notifications:
DAVID AYRES R2DO HQ Ops Officer: VINCE KLCO S. PANNIER (E-MAIL)
NRR Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY J. THORP (E-MAIL)
NRR 10 CFR Section:
- 0. TABATABI (E-MAIL)
NRO 21.21 UNSPECIFIED PARAGRAPH POTENTIAL FAILURE OF A BREAKER COMPONENT TO COMPLY WITH DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS The following information was received via facsimile:
A breaker failed during operation at Plant Vogtle during operation. A failure analysis indicated that the resistors on the electronic board fail to an open circuit status. On January 14, 2010, a failure analysis indicated that the resistors fail to a short circuit status prior to failing open. In this failure mode, the internal temperature increases to a point where the plastic core melts and thereby can potentially block the operation of the internal plunger. In such a case, the breaker remains closed, but if the breaker is opened then a new closing command is not possible.
ABB is taking, or has taken, the following corrective actions:
A. As noted above, the only affected customer with a failed breaker is Southern Company's Nuclear Plant Vogtle, and ABB has discussed this issue with Southern Company. An interim report was issued on 1-18-2010.
B. As an interim solution, ABB will provide a standard close coil. This solution will be limited to applications that do not require the low impendence in the close coil for lamp applications.
C. An alternate solution is to add 'b' contact (normally closed) in series with the existing close coil.
While not having a history of failure, it is noted that similar breakers are used at Plant Hatch.
Given the large number of applications for the affected circuit breakers, ABB (Medium Voltage Service) cannot determine if the potential for a substantial safety hazard exists at any licensee's facility if a similar failure of the close coil occurs. As noted above, the failure has been limited to applications that require continuous close coil duty. No failures have been reported or produced in testing in applications with intermittent use of close coil duty.
Licensees are requested to evaluate the application of affected breakers to determine priority of close coil
02/08/2010 U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Operations Center Event Report Page 2 General Information or Other (PAR)
Event#
45686 replacement.
n6:2330 p.m.
02-08-2010 1/2 i
L t
1 843 413 4853 ABB Production Control ABB February 8, 2010 Document Control Desk U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, DC 20555-0001 FAX 301-816-5151
Subject:
10CFR Part 21 Notification of Deviation re. P/N ISDA055274RI Close Coil
Dear Sir or Madam:
This letter provides notification of a potential failure of a breaker component to comply with design specifications associated with P/N 1SDA055274R1 Close Coil x Lamp manufactured by ABB Sace TMS SPA, and sold by ABB Inc. to Southern Company. Information is provided as specified in 10 C.F.R. § 21.2 1(d) (4).
The notifying individual is Mr. William Conlon, General Manager, ABB Inc. (Medium Voltage Service), 2300 Mechanicsville Road, Florence, SC 29501.
The identification of the subject component is as follows: ABB P/N 1 SDA055274R1 Close Coil x Lamp. These close coils are used in Sace EMAX breakers exclusively provided to Southern Nuclear Company plant Vogtle for safety related applications. The close coils are used to release stored energy that in turn closes the breaker. The failure is limited to applications with constant voltage applied to the close coil. Intermittent use of the close coil has not resulted in any failures.
ABB Sace EMAX circuit breakers procured from ABB between 2006 to present for Plant Vogtle may have suspect close coils installed where the particular application requires constant control voltage to be applied to the close coil.
Nature of the deviation: A 125VDC Close Coil x Lamp for EMAX EI/3UL breaker, code I SDA055274R1, serial number G0869A011 failed during operation at SNC Plant Votgle during operation. A failure analysis indicated that the resistors on the electronic board fail to an open circuit status. On January 14, 2010, a failure analysis indicated that the resistors fail to a short circuit status prior to failing open. In this failure mode, the internal temperature increases to a point where the plastic core melts and thereby_ _caiotRtjgUy blk th. opeatiofihe-n+/-emaI plunger. in such a case, the breaker remains closed, but if the breaker is opened then a new closing command is not possible.
ABB Inc.
2300 MECHANICSVILLE ROAD MEDIUM VOLTAGE SERVICE PHONE (843) 413-4700 FLORENCE, SC 29501 USA FACSIMILE (843) 413-4850
1 843 413 4853 ABBProductlon Control 06:23:46 p.m.
02-08-2010 212 ABB ABB is taking, or has taken, the following corrective actions:
- a. As noted above, the only affected customer is Southern Company's Nuclear Plant Vogtle, and ABB has discussed this issue with Southern Company. An interim report was issued on 1-18-2010
- b. As an interim solution, ABB will provide a standard close coil I SDA038383R1. This solution will be limited to applications that do not require the low impendence in the close coil for lamp applications.
- c. An alternate solution is to add 'b' contact (normally closed) in series with the existing close coil.
Given the large number of applications for the affected circuit breakers, ABB (Medium Voltage Service) cannot determine if the potential for a substantial safety hazard exists at any licensee's facility if a similar failure of the close coil occurs. As noted above, the failure has been limited to applications that require continuous close coil duty. No failures have been reported or produced in testing in applications with intermittent use of close coil duty. Licensees are requested to evaluate the application of affected breakers to determine priority of close coil replacement.
If you have any questions regarding this notice, please be so kind as to contact the Quality Manager, Mr. Victor Romano, directly at 843-472-0511.
Very truly yours, William Conlon General Manager ABB Inc.
MEIU VLTG SR iC PHONEii (83 41-40 2300 MECHANICSV1LLE ROAD FLORENCE, SC 29501 USA MEDIUM VOI GE SERVICE PHONE (843) 413-4700 FACSIMILE (843) 413.-4850