ML19256F699
| ML19256F699 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Point Beach  |
| Issue date: | 12/10/1979 |
| From: | James Keppler NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION III) |
| To: | Burstein S WISCONSIN ELECTRIC POWER CO. |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 7912200153 | |
| Download: ML19256F699 (1) | |
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UNITED STATES 8
NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
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/r REGION lli 799 ROOSEVELT ROAD be GLEN ELLYN,ILLINOls 60137 o
Docket No. 50-266 Docket No. 50-30?.
DEC l a 1979 Wisconsin Electr.'c Power Company ATIN:
Mr. Sol Burstein Executive Vice President Power Plants 231 West Michigan Milwaukee, WI 53201 Gentlemen:
Enclosed is IE Bulletin No. 79-28 which requires action by you with regard to your power reactor facilities with an operating license or a construction permit.
Should you have questions regarding this Bulletin or the actions required of you, please contact this office.
Sincerely,
%f.
bn ames G. Ke,a '
m pp;er Director
Enclosure:
IE Bulletin No. 79-28 cc w/ enc 1:
Mr. G. A. Reed, Plant Manager Central Files Director, NRR/DPM Director, NRR/ DOR C. M. Trammell, ORB /NRR PDR Local PDR NSIC TIC Sandra A. Bast, Lakeshore Citizens for Safe Energy i715019 m2200 /5 3 $
e UNITED STATES SSINS No.: 6820 NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION Accession No.:
OFFICE OF INSPECTION AND ENFORCEMENT 7910250505 WASHINGTON, D.C.
20555 December 7, 1979 IE Bulletin No. 79-28
'POSSIBLE MALFilNCTION OF NAMC0 MODEL EA189 LIMIT SWITCHES AT ELEVATED TEMPERATURES Description of Circumstances:
The NRC has been recently advised through a 10 CFR 21 report from NAMC0 Controls that a malfunction of a NAMC0 Model EA180 stem mounted limit switch (SMLS) occurred at the Cooper Nuclear Station.
Investigation into the switch failure by the licensee revealed yellow and brown " crystal-like" resin deposits on the internal components of the switch. The affected switch is located inside the drywell containment at this facility and was being used as the replacement switch for an unqualified SMLS previously identified in IE Bulletin Nos.
78-04 and 79-01.
According to the manufacturert the problem was traced to a batch of top cover gaskets of which some were over-impregnated and insufficiently hest cured.
It has been determined that this condition can leave an uncured residue of " Loctite" in the gasket, which vaporizes at sustained temperatures above 175 F.
To correct the problem, the manufacturer has revised production techniques beginning September 1979 in order to better control the impregnation process and to properly heat cure the gaskets following impregnation.
This problem is unique to all NAMCO Model EA180 series switches received by licensees after March 1, 1979.
According to the manufacturer, the suspect switches can be identified by checking the date code which is a 4 digit number stamped on the conduit boss of the switch housing.
NAMC0 recommends that any EA180 series switch with a date code between 02-79 through 08-79 should have its top cover gasket replaced.
Also, licensees should request from their suppliers of equipment on which NAMC0 EA180 series switches are used that they check their inventory and replace top cover gaskets on switches date coded between 02-79 thrwgh 08-79.
The enclosed letter from NAMCO further describes the high-temperature environ-mental problem with the top cover gaskets used in their EA180 switches and provides recommendations to correct the problem.
According to NAMCO, this letter has been sent to each customer who was shipped EA180 switches between February 21, 1979, and August 24, 1979.
Action to be Taken by Licensees of Power Reactor Operating Facilities and Holders of Construction Permits:
1.
Determine if your facility has i
~
switches in any safety-related e containment, including valve pos containment isolation valves.
DUPLICATE DOCUMENT Entire document previously 1775 M0 enterea into erstem unaer:
ANO No. of pages: