ML20012B870

Discusses & Forwards Insp Rept 99901177/90-01 on 900117-18. No Nonconformances Noted

ML20012B870
Person / Time
Issue date:	03/13/1990
From:	Brach E Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
To:	Halferty J SIEMENS ENERGY & AUTOMATION, INC.
Shared Package
ML20012B871	List: ML20012B870 ML20012B872
References
REF-QA-99901177 NUDOCS 9003190072
Download: ML20012B870 (2)

Text

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- NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION j

b-WASHINGTON, D. C. 20665

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March 13, 1990 o

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M i Docket No.~:

99901177/90-01

_ Mr. John' P.. Halferty

-Director, Research and Development I-T-E: Circuit Protection Division l

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Siemens_ Energy & Automation Inc.

3496 Montreal Industrial Way

, Tucker, Georgia 30084

' Dear Mr. Halferty.

This letter addresses the inspection at your facility at Tucker, Georgia conducted by' Messrs. Stephen Alexander and Randolph Moist of this office on Januar 17 and 18, 1990.

The inspection was copducted to obtain information on: (1 The history of-the manufacturing of 1-T-E molded case circuit breakers i

(MCCBs

- (2)- the circumstances surrounding the unsatisfactory performance of-

.the instantaneous magnetic trip (function of commercial grade I-T-E MCCBs at the-

,Shearon-Harris nuclear plant,

3) the testing ' conducted by Siemens on I-T-E.

l MCCBs' at.. the Wilmington,-' North Carolina factory, (4)-. the commercial grade.

' (quality. assurance progran established for manufacturing I-T-E MCCBs, (5)

Siemens handling of MCCB orders from nuclear: utilities, and (6) published I-T-E

MCCB tripping time-current curves relative to design and coordination studies, L

factory testing, manufacturer's actual expected performance, field testing. and l;

customer expectations of performance.

o lDuring our: review of your handling of MCCB orders from nuclear-utilities., we were advised-that Siemens had -adopted' a policy of requiring that purchase-

-orders -(P0s) from nuclear utilities: include or. be accompanied by orders' for-

certificates of compliance (C0Cs) and that such P0s must be filled only from

. factory warehouses.in order to establish traceability'of the supplied' components F-to-the Siemens I-T-E MCCB factory.

It'is also our und_erstanding-that MCCBs with L

nonadjustable magnetic trip functions that are so ordered receive; magnetic calibration at the factory, a ' test not normally performed on ' nonadjustable magnetic'. trip MCCBs that are not ordered by nuclear utilities.

This practice may' be regarded as, in effect, supplying two 'different. classes of ' breakers

-tested according to two different sets of Standards, but listed under the same I

catalog number with the same catalog specifications.

While we recognize that this policy helps to provide nuclear customers with MCCBs capable of-being-

- dedicated for safety-related service, we are concerned that not all of your customers may be aware of this practice - and, consequently, may order and -

_ receive the standard product,-especially when such breakers are procured through an intermediate supplier.

We therefore strongly suggest that. Siemens take appropriate actions' to assure that all of their customers are - fully informed of these product differences.

1. "I-T-E" is a registered trademark of Siemens Energy & Automation Inc.

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Mr. John P. Halferty

-2 March 13, 1990 j

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With respect to the technical and historical information you provided during this inspection, we appreciated your cooperation.

The information was helpful in resolving some questions regarding the 1-T.E MCCBs at Shearon Herris and regarding premature tripping of MCCBs during motor starting in general.,

However, in order to develop a fuller understanding of the Harris issue, we

.believe it will be necessary to visit your Wilmington, North Carolina, facility, as discussed with you during this inspection.

In accordance with 10 CFR 2.790 of the Comnission's regulations, a copy of this letter and the enclosed inspection report will be placed in the NRC's Public -

Document Room.

Should you have any questions concerning this inspection, we will be pleased to discuss them with you.

Sincerely, Original signd by L tyj!!;g gg E, William Brach, Chief Vendor Inspection Branch Division of Reaction Inspection and Safeguards Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation i

Enclosure:

VIE Inspection. Report No. 99901177/90 01 Distribution:

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DATE :03/05/90

03/67/90

03/05/90

03/g/90

03/(2/90 GL OFFICIAL RECORD COPY L

Document Name: SIEMFNS LETTER

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