ML18038B129

LER 94-002-00:on 941031,discovered Deficiency Re Raychem Tubing Used for Environ Qualification Applications.Condition Occurred When Tubing Could Not Be Shrunk Enough to Provide Proper Seal Per Vendor specs.W/950207 Ltr

ML18038B129
Person / Time
Site:	Browns Ferry
Issue date:	02/07/1995
From:	Hsieh C TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY
To:	NRC OFFICE OF INFORMATION RESOURCES MANAGEMENT (IRM)
Shared Package
ML18038B128	List: ML18038B127 ML18038B129
References
LER-94-002-04, LER-94-2-4, NUDOCS 9502160290
Download: ML18038B129 (10)

Text

NRC FORH 366 U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY C(salISSION APPROVED BY (NQI NO. 3150-0104 (5-92) EXPIRES 5/31/95 ESTIMATED BURDEN PER RESPONSE TO COHPLY MITH THIS INFORHATIOH COLLECTION REQUEST: 50.0 HRS.

L1CENSEE EVENT REPORT (LER) FORNARD COHMENTS REGARDING BURDEN 'ESTIMATE TO THE INFORHATION AND RECORDS HAHAGEMENT BRANCH (MNBB 7714), U.ST NUCLEAR REGULATORY COHHISSION, (See reverse for required number of digits/characters for each block) NASHINGTON, DC 20555-0001 AND TO THE PAPERIJORK REDUCTION PROJECT (3180-0104), OFFICE OF HANAGEMEHT AND BUDGET NASHINGTON DC 20503'.

FACILITY NAME (1) DOCKET NOSER (2) PAGE (3)

Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant (BFN) Unit 3 05000296 1 OF 5 TITLE (4) A Deficiency Regarding Raychem Tubing Used'For Enviromental Qualification Applications EVENT DATE 5 LER NINBER 6 REPORT DATE 7 OTHER FACILITIES INVOLVED 8 FACILITY NAHE DOCKET NUHBER SEQUENTIAL REVISION YEAR DAY HONTH DAY YEAR YEAR NUHBER NUMBER HONTH N/A FACILITY NAME DOCKET NUMBER 10 31 94 94 002 00 02 07 N/A OPERATING THIS REPORT IS SUBHITTED PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF 10 CFR = Check one or more 11 HOOE (9) N 20.402(b) 20.405(c) 50.73(a)(2)(iv) 73.71(b)

POUER 20.405(a)(1)(i) 50.36(c)(1) 50.73(a)(2)(v) 73.71 (c)

LEVEL (10) 000 20.405(a)(1)(ii) 50.36(c)(2) 50 '3(a)(2)(vii) OTHER 20.405(a)(1)(iii) 50.73(a)(2)(i)(B) 50.73 ( a )( 2 )( vii i)(A) Voluntar y Re po rt 20.405(a)(1)(iv) 50.73(a)(2)(ii) 50.73(a)(2)(viii)(B) 20.405(a)(1)(v) 50.73(a)(2)(iii) 50.73(a)(2)(x)

LICENSEE CONTACT FOR THIS LER 12 NAHE TELEPHONE NUHBER (Include Area Code)

Clare S. Hsieh, Compliance Licensing Engineer (205) '729-2635 C(NIPLETE ONE LINE FOR EACH C(NPONENT FAILURE DESCRIBED IN THIS REPORT 13 REPORTABLE REPORTABLE CAUSE SYSTEH COHPONENT MANUFACTURER CAUSE SYSTEH COMPONENT MANUFACTURER TO NPRDS TO NPRDS B BJ TBG R098 N SUPPLEMENTAL REPORT EXPECTED 14 EXPECTED HONTH DAY YEAR YES (If yes, complete EXPECTED SUBMISSION DATE).

X'O SUBH I SS ION DATE (15)

ABSTRACT (Limit to 1400 spaces, i.e., approximately 15 single-spaced typewritten lines) (16)

A deficiency regarding Raychem material was discovered on October 31, 1994, during the usage of the Raychem tubing for Environmental Qualification (EQ) applications. The Raychem tubing, type WCSF-070-N (Lot IN15057), used to insulate the splice connection of Conax ECSA conductors to their field cable conductors, could not be installed in a manner meeting the installation acceptance criteria. No immediate safety hazard exists since the equipment affected by the Raychem tubing is not required with Units 1 and 3 defueled and its failure does not impact the operating Unit 2. TVA'hipped the Lot PN15057 tubing to the manufacturer for evaluation. The Unit 2 EQ applications are not affected by this problem since the tubing has not been used in any required Unit 2 EQ splices. TVA is evaluating the Unit 3 work issues to determine if the referenced Raychem material, Lot number, and contract were used on EQ components. The above condition is not reportable per 10 CFR 50.72, 50.73, oi 10 CFR Part 21. However, TVA is submitting a voluntary report on this deficiency because other utilities may also have this particular type of tubing.

9502160290 950207 PDR ADOCK 05000296 S PDR

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'NRC FORM 366A U.S NUCLEAR REGULATORY C(NBIISSION APPROVED BY QNI NO. 3150-0104 (5-92) EXPIRES 5/3'I/95

'ESTIMATED BURDEN PER RESPONSE TO COHPLY IIITH THIS INFORMATION COLLECTION REQUEST: 50 0 MRS'ORNARD COHHENTS REGARDING BURDEN ESTIHATE TO THE INFORHATION AND RECORDS MANAGEMENT LICENSEE EVENT REPORT BRANCH (MNBB 7714), U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION, TEXT CONTINUATION NASHINGTOH, DC 20555-0001, AND TO THE PAPERNORK REDUCTION PROJECT (3150-0104), OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET, NASHIHGTON DC 20503 FACILITY NAME (1) DOCKET NLNBER (2) LER NLNBER (6) PAGE (3)

YEAR SEQUENTIAL REVISION NUHBER NUHBER Browns Ferry Unit 3 05000296 94 002 OO 2 of 5 TEXT If more s ce is r ired use additional co ies of NRC Form 3 66A (17)

I ~ PLANT CONDITIONS Unit 2 was in cold shutdown as part of the Unit 2 Cycle 7 refueling outage. Units 1 and 3 were defueled. Unit 1 was in lay-up status, and recovery activities were in progress on Unit 3.

ZI. DESCRIPTION OF EVENT Ao Eventl This voluntary report describes a deficiency regarding Raychem material that was identified during the performance of the Unit 3 recovery activities. The Raychem tubing [TBG], type WCSF-070-N (Lot gN15057), used to insulate the splice connection of Conax ECSA conductors to their field cable conductors, could not be installed in a manner meeting the. installation acceptance criteria.

On October 31, 1994, TVA discovered that the tubing could not be

,shrunk (i.e., recovered), down enough in order to provide the required indicators signifying .a proper seal on the Kapton insulated ECSA pigtail. The pigtail, which measured at 0.067 inches (rounded to 0.07 inches per vendor instructions), is near the lower limit of the usage range (0.07 0.14 inches) of the Raychem WCSF-070-N tubing.

On November 1, 1994, TVA sent samples of the Lot PN15057 tubing to the manufacturer for evaluation. On November 4, 1994, Raychem indicated in a written response to TVA that the WCSF-070-N tubing from Lot fN15057 is only acceptable for those installed single conductor in-line splices where the wire diameter is greater than 0.081 inches but not larger than 0.14 inches.

Although the component involves the tubing used in Environmental Qualification (EQ) applications such as splices or terminations for Units 1 and 3, no immediate safety hazard exists. The equipment affected by the Raychem tubing is not required with Units 1 and 3 defueled and its failure does not impact the operating Unit 2. Additionally, the Unit 2 EQ applications are not affected by this problem since the tubing from Lot SN15057 has not been used in any required Unit 2 EQ splices. Therefore, this condition is not reportable per 10 CFR 50.72 or 50.73.

The above condition is also not reportable per 10 CFR Part 21.

The manufacturer requirements are part of the installati.on and inspection criteria. Thus, this deficiency would have been detected, and the material rejected, during TVA visual

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NRC FORM 366A U S NUCLEAR REGULATORY CQNISSI ON APPROVED BY QNI NO. 3150-0104 (5-92) EXPIRES 5/31/95 ESTIMATED BURDEN PER RESPONSE TO COMPLY IJITH THIS INFORHATIOH COLLECTIOH REOUEST: 50.0 HRS. FORNARD COMMENTS REGARDIHG BURDEN ESTIMATE TO THE INFORMATION AND RECORDS MANAGEMENT LICENSEE EVENT REPORT BRANCH (MNBB 7714), U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSIONS TEXT CONTINUATION NASHIHGTOH, DC 20555-0001, AND TO THE PAPERNORK REDUCTION PROJECT (3150-0104), OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET/

NASHIHGTON, DC 20503 (1) (2) LER NWSER (6) PAGE (3)

'4 FACILITY NAME DOCKET RINGER YEAR SEQUENTIAL REVISION HUMBER NUMBER Browns Ferry Unit 3 05000296 002 00 3 of 5 TEXT lf more s ce is r uired use sdditionsl co ies of NRC Form 3 66A (17) inspections, as part of the Unit 3 recovery effort.

Nevertheless, TVA is submitting a voluntary report because other utilities may also have this particular type of tubing.

B. Ino erable Structures Com onents or S stems that Contributed to the Events None.

C. Dates and A roximate Times of Ma or Occurrences!

The Raychem material was originally received in 1992. The above deficiency was discovered on October 31, 1994 during the usage of the Raychem tubing for EQ applications. On November 1, 1994, samples of the Lot PN15057 tubing were sent to Raychem for evaluation.

D. Other S stems or Seconda Functions Affected:

None.

E'o Method of Discove As part of the Unit 3 recovery activities, the Raychem tubing was used to insulate the splice connection of cables in EQ applications. Zt was during the insulation of the splice connection of Conax ECSA conductors to the conductors of their respective field cables that the Raychem tubing was found not to be acceptable.

F. 0 erator Actions:

None.

G. Safet S stem Res onses:

None.

CAUSE'F THE EVENT Ao Immedi:ate Cause:

'The condition occurred when Raychem tubing could not be shrunk down enough in order to provide a proper seal on the Kapton insulated ECSA pigtail.

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NRC FORM 366A U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY CQIIISSION APPROVED BY MS NO 3150-0104 (5-92) EXPIRES 5/31/95 ESTIMATED BURDEN PER RESPONSE TO COMPLY WITH THIS INFORMATION COLLECTION REQUEST: 50.0'RS. 'FORlJARD COMMENTS REGARDIMG BURDEN ESTIMATE TO THE INFORMATION AND RECORDS MANAGEMENT LICENSEE EVENT REPORT BRANCH (MHBB 7714), U.S. ,NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION, TEXT CONTZNUATZON MASHINGTON, DC 20555-0001, AND TO THE PAPERllORK REDUCTION PROJECT (3150-0104), OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET, llASHIMGTON DC 20503 FACILITY NAME (1) DOCKET NWBER (2) LER NWBER (6) PAGE (3)

YEAR SEQUENTIAL REVISION'UMBER NUMBER Browns Ferry Unit 3 05000296 94 002 00 4 of 5 TEXT tf more s ce is r ired use additional co ies of NRC Form 366A (17)

B. Root Cause!

TVA has not been able to .determine the root cause of this condit'ion. TVA suspects that it must be rooted in the manufacturing process since other lots do not exhibit similar problem.

IV ANALYSIS OF THE EVENT The Raychem splice was for Unit 3 work in progress for the design package on the analog trip units instrumentation.

for Essential Core Cooling System The splice was for

.(ECCS)/Reactor Protection System a division ZZ cable at the conduit seal for a level transmitter. The transmitter provides the reactor vessel. level for the division ZI ECCS high vessel level trip to the High Pressure Coolant Zn)ection turbine.

The potential failure of the splice (since it was not shrunk down) was lack of an adequate moisture barrier seal.

Although the high humidity from a high energy line break could possibly force moisture into the conductor, this deficiency does not provide an immediate safety concern as Unit 3 is in a defueled mode.

Additionally, the condition is discernable under inspection criteria required for each splice installation.

Vo CORRECTIVE ACTIONS Immediate Corrective Actions:

TVA contacted the Raychem technical representative and sent samples of the Lot gN15057,tubing to Raychem for evaluation.

Bo Corrective Actions to Prevent Recurrence(

TVA has completed an inventory of the affected material in the power stores, and the Lot gN15057 tubing found were returned to RayChem. TVA is evaluating Unit 3 work issues to determine if the referenced Raychem material, Lot number, and contract were used on EQ components. Additionallyr TVA is reviewing material requisitions for the affected material and Lot number that has been issued from power stores for use but has not been installed and is also reviewing the completed work for EQ applications.

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NRC FORM 366A U.S NUCLEAR REGULATORY CQNIISSION APPROVED BY (NIB NO. 3150-0104 (5-92) EXPIRES 5/31/95 ESTIMATED BURDEN PER RESPONSE TO COMPLY IlITH THIS INFORMATION COLLECTION REQUEST: 50.0 HRS. FORllARD COMHENTS REGARDING BURDEN ESTIMATE TO THE INFORMATION AND RECORDS MANAGEHENT LICENSEE EVENT REPORT BRANCH (HNBB 7714), U.S. NUCLEAR 'REGULATORY COMMISSION>>

TEXT CONTINUATION HASHINGTON, DC 20555-0001, AND TO THE PAPERllORK REDUCTION PROJECT (3150-0104), OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET, llASHINGTON, DC 20503 FACILITY NAME (1) DOCKET NWSER (2) LER NINBER (6) PAGE (3)

YEAR SEQUENTIAL 'REVISION NUMBER NUMBER Browns Ferry Unit 3 05000296 94 002 00 5 of 5 TEXT If more s ce is r ired use additional co ies of NRC Form 366A (17)

VZ ~ ADDITIONAL INFORMATION A>> Failed Com onents:

Raychem tubing (Type WCSF-070-N, Lot gN15057) constructed and supplied by the Raychem Corporation.

B, Previous LERs an Similar Events:

None.

VIZ. Commitments There are no commitments in this report. The actions described in Section V.B of this report are actions: being taken to determine the location of other similar type material.

Energy Industry Identification System (EIIS) system and component codes are identified in the text with brackets (e.g., [XX]) .

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