ML19295C012

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Forwards IE Bulletin 78-01, Flammable Contact-Arm Retainers in GE CR120A Relays. Action Required
ML19295C012
Person / Time
Site: Dresden, Byron, Braidwood, Quad Cities, Zion, LaSalle  Constellation icon.png
Issue date: 01/18/1978
From: James Keppler
NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION III)
To: Brian Lee
COMMONWEALTH EDISON CO.
References
NUDOCS 8010150712
Download: ML19295C012 (1)


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i=n e-s Docket Nos. i5 0, 50-237, 50-249, 50-254, 50-265, 50-295, 50-304, 50-373, 50-374, 50-454, 50-455, JAN 1 t,.8 50-456, 50-457 Commonwealth Edison Company ATTN:

Mr. Byron Lee, Jr.

Vice President P.O. Box 767 Chicago, IL 60690 Gentlemen:

Enclosed is IE Bulletin No. 78-01 which requires action by you with regard to your power reactor facilities having an operating license or a construc-tion permit.

Should you have any questions regarding this Bulletin or the actions required, please contact this office.

Sincerely, James G. Keppler Director

Enclosures:

1.

IE Bulletin No. 78-01, w/attacinent 2.

List of IE Bulletins issued during last 12 months cc w/encls:

B. B. Stephenson, Station Superintendent i

N. Kalivianakis, Station i

Superintendent N. Vandke, Plant Superintendent L. J. Burke, Site Project Superintendent Gunnar Sorenson, Site Project Superintendent

.,R. Cosaro, Project Superintendent

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January 16, 1978 IE Bulletin No. 78-01 FLAMMABLE CONTACT-APM RETAINERS IN G.E. CR120A RELAYS Description of Circumstances:

On April 18, 1977, a fire was discovered in a relay cabinet in the Peach Bottom Unit 3 facility. The fire damaged eight relays, type CR120A. canufactured by the General Electric Company. The fire was investigated by the licensee, the Philadelphia Electric Company, who concluded that it was caused by an overheated relay coil that ignited the relay's plastic contact-am retainer. Subsequently, on July 29, 1977, fire damage was discovered in a relay cabinet during surveil-lance testing in the Peach Bottom Unit 2 facility. 'rais fire da= aged 18 G.E. type CR;20A relays.

Discussion:

The investigation revealed that the relay's contact-arm retainer was made from Celcon M90 Acetal Copolymer which is a flammable material.

In June 1972, this material was changed to Valox 310-SED, which is self extinguishing and flare resistant. Both materials are white and have the same surface appearance. A G.E. Service Information Letter SIL-NO-229 (a copy of the text is attached for information) indicates that there is no generic overheating problem with this type relay.

However, they reco==end that BWR owners replace the contact-arm retainer of all relays (including B0P applications) carked with manufacturers date code between E.D. (May 1968) and A.J. (January 1973) with the ieproved, self extinguishing flame resistant contact am retainers.

Action To Be Taken By Licensees And l'ermit Holders:

Licensees of power reactor facilities with an operating license and construction pemit holders shall take the following actions:

1.

Decemine if you have installed G.E. type CR120A relays in s wherein fires have the ment. Also determine :.f DUPLICATE DOCUMENT Entire document previously entered into system under:

M O\\8 b M ANO No. of pages:

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