ML19256F701
| ML19256F701 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | South Texas  |
| Issue date: | 12/07/1979 |
| From: | Seyfrit K NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION IV) |
| To: | Eric Turner HOUSTON LIGHTING & POWER CO. |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 7912200212 | |
| Download: ML19256F701 (1) | |
Text
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7-/ C UNITED STATES
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REGION IV o
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m December 7, 1979 In Reply Refer To:
RIV Docket Nos. 50-498/IE Bulletin No. 79-28 50-499/IE Bulletin No. 79-28 Ilouston Lighting & Power Company ATTN:
Mr. E. A. Turner, Vice President Power Plant Construction and Technical Services Post Office Box 1700 Houston, Texas 77001 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,
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Karl V. Seyf rit. '[/
Director
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Enclosures:
1.
List of Recently Issued IE Eulletins 1775'013 7 9122 00 S /d 9
UNITED STATES SSINS No.: 6820 NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION Accession No.:
OFFICE OF INSPECTION AND ENFORCEMENT 7910250505 WASHINGTON, D.C.
20555 IE Bulletin No. 79-28 Date:
December 7, 1979 Page 1 of 2 POSSIBLE MALFUNCTION OF NAMCO MODEL EA180 LIMIT SWITCHES AT ELEVATED TEMPERATURES Description of Circumstances:
The NRC has been recently advised through a 10 CFR 21 report from NAMCO Controls that a malfunction of a NAMCO Model EA180 stem mounted limit switch (SHLS) occurred at the Cooper Nuc. ear 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 manufacturer, the problem was traced to a batch of top cover gaskets of which some were over-impregnated and insufficiently heat cured.
It has been determined that this conditica can leave an uncured residue of " Loctite" in the gasket, which vaporizes at sustained temperatures above 175 E.
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 stampec on the conduit boss of the switch housing.
NAMCO 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 NAMCO EA180 series switches are used that they check their inventory and replace top cover gaskets on switches date coded between 02-79 through 08-79.
The enclosed letter from NAMCO further describes the hi>h-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 P Holders of Construction Permits:
1.
Determine if facility has DUPLICATE DOCUMENT switches in afety-related containment, including valve po Entire docinnent previously ccatainment isolation valves, entered into system under:
ANO 17 M 014 no. or pages: