ML19095A447
| ML19095A447 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Surry  |
| Issue date: | 12/02/1977 |
| From: | Stallings C Virginia Electric & Power Co (VEPCO) |
| To: | O'Reilly J NRC/RGN-II |
| References | |
| IEB-77-006, Serial No. 541/112277 | |
| Download: ML19095A447 (4) | |
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e c I VIRGINIA ELECTR{C AND POWER COMPANY RICHMOND,VIROINIA 23261 December 2, 1977 Mr. James P. O'Reilly, Director Office of Inspection and Enforcement U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Region II - Suite 818 230 Peachtree Street, Northwest Atlanta, Georgia 30303
Dear Mr. O'Reilly:
Serial No. 541/112277 PO&M/ALH:dgt Docket Nos. 50-280 50-281 License Nos. DPR-32 DPR-37 This is in response to IE Bulletin 77-06 which addressed certain problems with containment electrical penetration assemblies.
Our oral responses to your questions.were presented to Mr. Austin Hardin on November 23, 1977.
The written responses are provided in the attachment to this letter.
Attachment cc:
Mr. Robert W. Reid, Chief Operating Reactors Branch 4 t.ru} ;:;'.our*s,
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. Stallings Vice P esident-Power,Supply and Production Open(tit>ns
e NRC Comment e
VI~GINIA ELECTRIC AND POWER COMPANY RESPONSES TO IE BULLETIN 77-06 1.0 Do you have containment electrical penetrations that are of the G.E. Series 100, or are otherwise similar in that they depend upon an epoxy sealant and a dry nitrogen pressure environment to ensure that the electrical and pressure characteristics are main-tained so as to ensure the functional capability as required by the plant's safety analysis report, namely, (1) to ensure adequate functioning of electrical safety-related equipment and (2) to en-sure containment leak tightness?
Response
G. E~ Series 100 containment electrica~ penetrations are not in use at Surry.
At Surry, the penetration assemblies are manufactured by Amphenol Space and Missile Systems and CONAX Corporation.
None of the penetration assemblies supplied by either of these fir~s rely on a nitrogen pressure to ensure functional capability.
None of the penetration assemblies rely on an "epoxy" sealant but all use some type of molded material to provide a tighc seal around the conductor, since leakage could compromise both containment ihtegrity and electrical capability.
These materials are as follows: RTV-8112, THIOKOI, and POLYSULFONE.
NRC Comment 1.1 Have you experienced any electrical failures with this type of penetration?
Response
Electrical failures of certain types of Amphenol penetration assemblies have occurred at Surry.
This was reported to the Commission in USRE-Sl 07.
These failures were due to excessive heat generation in the pins when under electrical load.
No failures have occurred as a result of a break down or deficiency in the sealing material.
NRC Comment 2.0 For those penetrations referenced in Item 1 above, have you main-tained the manufacturer's prescribed nitrogen pressure at all times?
Response
Nitrogen pressure is not required to assure the functional capability of any of the penetrations at Surry.
Each penetration is capable o~ being presur-ized with nitrogen but only for leak detection purposes.
NRC Comment 2.1 If you have operated the penetrations without m~1intaining a nitrogen pressure was any degradation of insulation resistance or anomalous component operation detected?
r
Response
Same as response for Comment 2.0.
NRC Comment 2.2 If no measurements were taken during periods when nitrogen pressure was not maintained, how were you assured that the insulation resist-ance was not degrading or degraded?
Response
No equipment failures related to a breakdown of insulation resistance in containment penetrations has ever occur~ed at Surry.
NRC Comment 2.3 How do you determine that circuit ~nsulation resistance values are satisfactorily maintained?
Response
All 480VAC and 4160VAC electrical loads that are fed through containment penetrations are ch~cked for proper insulation resistance with a 500 VDC meggar during each refueling, Any degradation of insulation resistance in instrumen-tation circuits would be indicated by the periodic calibration checks done in accordance with Technical Specification Surveillance Requirements.
NRC CommentG 3.0 Is ther~ a need, as ~etermined by either the vendor or yourself, to maintain penetrations pressurized during a LOCA?
Response
There is no need to maintain the pene:trations pressurized during a LOCA.
They are designed to operate without nitrogen pressure.
NRC Comment 3.1 What measures have you taken to ensure. that penetrations of this type will perform their design function under LOCA condition?
(design reviews, analyses or tests)
. Response The Amphenol penetration electrical connectors were tested by D.G. O'Brien, Inc~ in 1972.
The purpose of this test was to demonstrate operability during simulated LOCA conditions.
The D,G, O'Brien report stated in summary: "The connector assembly passed the test with no less than 34 megohms internal re-sistance while retaining complete electrical continuity.
The test had no obser-vable physical effect on the connector assembly or cable." Since no connectors are associated with the CONJ\\X type penetration, no specific tests were performed.
However, CONJ\\X corporation has provided detailed data regartling the perfonnance of l
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the,materials used in CONAX penetrations.
This information includes thermal performance, radiation resistance, and chemical resistance tests.
All data indicates excellent performance characteristics for a LOCA environment.
NRC Comment 3.2 Are the measures that provide this assurance adequate to satisfy the Commission's regulations (GDC 4, Appendix A to Fart 50; QA Criteria, Appendix B to Part 50)
Response
We believe that adequate assurance exists to satisfy the commissions re-gulations.
Compliance with design criteria is discussed in section 1.4 of the Surry FSAR.
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