ML20036A438
| ML20036A438 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Diablo Canyon  |
| Issue date: | 04/21/1993 |
| From: | Dummer A Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
| To: | |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20036A419 | List: |
| References | |
| OLA, NUDOCS 9305110214 | |
| Download: ML20036A438 (21) | |
Text
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4 April 21,1993 i
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION r
BEFORE THE ATOMIC SAFETY AND LICENSING BOARD In the Matter of
)
)
Docket Nos.
50-275 OLA 1
PACIFIC GAS AND ELECTRIC COMPANY
)
50-323 OLA
)
(Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant,
)
(ConstructionPeriodRecovery)
Units I and 2)
)
l AFFIDAVIT OF ANN M. DUMMER IN SUPPORT OF NRC STAFF RESPONSE TO SAN LUIS OBISPO MOTHERS FOR PEACE'S MOTION FOR LEAVE TO FILE ADDITIONAL DISCOVERY.
l RE: OKONITE CABLES WITH BONDED JACKETS I, Ann M. Dummer, first being duly sworn, depose and state:
I.
My name is Ann' M. Dummer. I am employed by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission as a reactor systems engineer in the Plant Systems Branch of the Office of l
Nuclear Reactor Regulation.
2.
Since August 1992, I have worked with environmental qualification issues, and, as relevant here, with issues raised in Information Notice 92-81, " Potential Deficiency of Electrical Cables with Bonded Hypalon Jackets," which I co-authored.
3.
I have been asked to address San Luis Obispo Mothers for Peace's Motion for Leave to File Additional Discovery Re: Okonite Cables with Bonded Jackets, dated April 2,1993, in light of Information Notice 92-81 and of the NRC Staff's review of the matter that was the subject of Board Notification 93-08 regarding an allegation of cable degradation at Diablo Canyon.
9305110214 930504
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2 4.
In its motion, San Luis Obispo Mothers for Peace states that certain documents, including Information Notice 92-81, demonstrate that PG&E is experiencing some maintenance problems at Diablo Canyon involving the degradation of Okonite cables and possibly other cables with bonded jackets. Motion at 1. Although the cables addressed in Information Notice 92-81 and the cables of concern at Diablo are all manufactured by Okonite, they are different cables exhibiting different failure modes.
I 5.
The cables that failed at Diablo Canyon are 12kV and 4kV power cables.
These cables have EPR insulation, shielding, and a neoprene jacket (Figure 1). They do not have a bonded jacket.
The 12kV cables that failed were severely degraded, apparently as a result of chemical attack. The 4kV cables were not degraded and may have failed due to a manufacturing defect. The 12kV cables are not used in any safety-related application at Diablo Canyon. They are not required to be environmentally qualified. The licensee has on-line fault detection capability for these cables. All failed cables have been replaced, and a number of undamaged cables in the same location have also been replaced as a result of the failures. The licensee has not yet completed a root cause analysis for the failure of these cables.
6.
The cable failures discussed in documents 1-4 (Information Notice 92-81 and l
other NRC documents) occurred during testing conducted by Sandia National Laboratories. These cables are small instrumentation and control cables that have one layer of EPR insulation with a hypalon jacket bonded to the insulation (Figure 2). These cables failed during laboratory testing similar to that required for environmental qualification of cables. They had been artificially aged at a high temperature, exposed
to radiation, and subjected to a simulated accident environment. The' failures at Sandia were different from the Diablo Canyon failures because at Sandia the insulation split open from one end of the cable to the other, as if someone had cut the cable open with a knife.
t These failures appear to be mechanical in nature, resulting from the embrittlement of the hypalon jacket due to thermal aging. The.NRC's concern with these Okonite cables is 4
that these cables were never tested for qualification with the bonded jacket in place. The test failures may indicate that some installed cables may not be adequately qualified to j
perform their safety-related function during a design-basis event. The NRC has informed the industry of these test failures, but the industry, including Diablo Canyon, has not I
i been required to take any action.
7.
San Luis Obispo Mothers for Peace, in its motion, attempts to tie the l
failures at Diablo Canyon to the failures described in the Information Notice. The cables are different sizes and of different construction, and are used in different applications.
l The failure mechanisms are also different.
The Diablo Canyon cables are not j
environmentally qualified and do not have bonded jackets. Therefore, the information notice is not relevant to the recent cable failures at Diablo Canyon.
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Ann M. Dummer Apdl 21,1993 8.
The matters stated above are true and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief.
Onn97Lhemo Ann M. Dummer Subscribed and sworn to before me this 21st day of April 1993 Ytb 7
Notary Public My commission expires: December 1,1993 i
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Type RF F, RHW, USE, FR-1 W 600V Power and Control Cable Copper Conductor /90C Dry /75C Wet For Cable Day Use Composite Insulation Product Features Okonste-Okoton is Okontte's trade name e Extreme heat resistarce i
l for its ethytene prec>iene, chlorosul-90C continuous rating j
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fonated polyethyiene Composite insula-110C hot spot rating ton. The combination of the two me.
130C amergency overtoad rating tena!s provides a dietectric which re-250C short circuit rating
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Quires no outer covering and which has e Exceptional resistance to deformation p 1.
exceIIent res: stance to heat. mechanical at high temperature
-4' abuse. flame, weathenng. most oils.
. Stab'e clectrical p certies 7f acids and alkalies.
- Low SIC and power tactor
[$ l Applications e Low moisture absorption i
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Okonite-Okolon 600 Volt Power and e Mechanically rugged l
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d Contro! Cases are recommended for o Resistant to weather, most oils, acids use in all low voltage circuits where and alkalies g - -e-amer tw WacW e S[,fer t-de t.
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conduit, underground ducts, approved e More flexible. easier to install, I!
raceways, direct burial. and in cable terminate or splice than XLPE insutatiort
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insa!ation: Meets or exceeds all recuire-
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and UL Standards 44 and 854 For add:tional information contact your ;
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i ATTACHMENT I i
PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS ANN M. DUMMER l
ORGANIZATION: Division of Systems Safety and Analysis j
Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation.
i TITLE:
Reactor Systems Engineer Plant Systems Branch i
i EDUCATION:
B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Colorado State University Graduate work in Mechanical Engineering, j
University of Maryland EXPERIENCE:
t 1992 - Present Nuclear Regulatory Commission, 3
Reactor Systems Engineer in Plant Systems l
Branch. She has worked with Environmental Qualification issues since joining this branch in August 1992.
l 1990 - 1992 Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Reactor Engineer Intern working in the Vendor Inspection Branch, Plant Systems Branch, Project Directorate V of Nuclear Reactor Regulation, Division of Reactor-Projects of Region IV, and in the Severe Accident Issues Branch of Office of Nuclear Reactor Research.
PUBLICATIONS:
Co-author of Information Notice 92-81,
" Potential Deficiency of Electrical Cables with. Bonded.Hypalon Jackets,"
December 11, 1992.
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UNITED STATES OF AMERICA NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
~93 MM -4 P3 :03 BEFORE THE ATOMIC SAFETY AND LICENSING BOARD (f% o ma im
%CMTy.; :a l
In the Matter of
)
PACIFIC GAS & ELECTRIC CO.
)
Docket Nos.
50-275 OLA-2 I
)
50-323 OLA-2.
l
)
l l
(Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant,
)
(Construction Period Recovery) l j
Units 1 and 2)
. )
j i
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE I hereby certify that copies of "NRC STAFF'S RESPONSE TO SAN LUIS OBISPO l
MOTHERS FOR PEACE THIRD LATE-FILED CONTENTION" in the above captioned proceeding have been served on the following by deposit in the United States mail, first l
class or, as indicated by an asterisk, by deposit in the Nuclear Regulatory Commission's internal mail system this 4th day of May 1993:
l I
l i
Charles Bechhoefer*
Office of Commission Appellate Administrative Judge Adjudication
- Atomic Safety and Licensing Board Mail Stop: 16-G-15 OWFN Mail Stop: EW-439 U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, DC 20555 l
Washington, DC 20555 i
Adjudicatory File * (2) ~
Jerry R: Kline" Atomic Safety and Licensing Board l
Administrative Judge Panel Atomic Safety and Licensing Board Mail Stop: EW-439 Mail Stop: EW-439 U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission i
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, DC 20555 Washington, DC 20555 i
Atomic Safety and Licensing Board Frederick J. Shon*
Panel
- Administrative Judge Mail Stop: EW-439 Atomic Safety and Licensing Board U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Mail Stop: EW-439 Washington, DC 20555 U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, DC 20555
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l Nancy Culver, President Joseph B. Knotts, Jr., Esq.
San Luis Obispo Mothers for Peace David A. Repka, Esq.
P.O. Box 164
. Kathryn M. Kalowsky, Esq.
i Pismo Beach, CA 93448 Winston & Strawn 1400 L Street, N.W.
l l
Christopher J. Warner Washington, DC 20005-3502 l
Richard F. I.ocke Pacific Gas & Electric Co.
Truman Burns 77 Beale Street Robert Kinosian
[
San Franciso, CA 94106 California Public Utilities Commission l
i f
505 Van Ness, Room 4103 Office of the Secretary * (2)
San Francisco, CA 94102 -
Attn: Docketing and Service i
Mail Stop: 16-G-15 OWFN l
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, DC 20555 l
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Ani P. Hodgdon l
Counsel for NRC Staff j
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Directors l
D15TRIBUT10N T. Murley F. Miraglia l
l W. Russell l
S. Varga i
W. Travers J. Calvo J. Partlow G. Lainas J. Zwolinski M. Virgilio
- 5. Varga J. Roe J. Wiggins. R:1 W. Lanning, R:1 J. Johnson. R: II E. Perscnoff. R: 11 W. Forney, R:lll T. Martin. R:lll T. Gwynn. R:lv D. Chamoerlain, R:IV K Perkins. R:V
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Project Directorates 1-V G. Hubbard SPLB File A. Thadani w
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UNITED STATES j
NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION m
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January 27, 1993 i
MEMORANDUM FOR:
Steven A. Varga, Director i
Division of Reactor Projects I/II, NRR Jack W. Roe, Director i
Division of Reactor Projects III/IV/V, NRR William D. Travers, Deputy Associate Director for Advanced Reactors and License Renewal, NRR Ashok C. Thadani, Director i
FROM:
Division of Systems Safety ard Analysis, NRR f
STAFF ACTIONS FOR THE RESOLUTION OF A POTENTIAL DEF IN THE ENVIRONMENTAL QUALIFICATION OF BONDED-JACKE l
SUBJECT:
The purpose of this memorandum is to inform you of recent developments As regarding failures of Okonite and other bonded-jacket electrical cables.
discussed in recent Director's Highlights, cable failures during testing l
conducted by Sandia National Laboratories have identified a potential deficiency in that bonded-jacket cables have a potential for failure during a LOCA before 40 years, if these cables are used at temperatures greater than 50 *C (122 *F).
i Based on the results of the Sandia testing and reviews of environmental
" Potential cualification test reports, Information Notice (IN) 92-81:
Deficiency of Electrical Cables with Bonded Hypalon Jackets" (Enclosure 1) was issued on December 11, 1992, to inform licensees of the staff's concerns i
related to the use of bonded-jacket cables at temperatures greater than 50 't Additionally a memorandum, subject, " Failures of Okonite Electrical (122 *F).
Cables with Bonded Hypalon Jacket During Tests Performed by Sandia National 10,1992 (Enclosure 2), was sent to the Laboratories," dated December This memorandum discussed safety concerns and planned actions Comm s sion.
regarding this issue.
The Plant Systems Branch has been assigned the lead for this issue and has It should be developed a preliminary task action plan outline (Enclosure 3).
noted that the dates and activities are subject to change as information is obtained and a detailed action plan is developed.
While the staff has determined that there is no immediate safety concern, the staff is evaluating the long term safety significance of this potential i
In its evaluation, the staff will include any information deficiency.
obtained from the licensees which may have been developed in response to In particular, this-information may be developed when licensees
}
IN 92-8L take any necessary actions described in Generic Letter 88 l-2
, January 27, 1993 Directors Electrical Equipment Important to Safety for Nuclear Power Plants,'" if the licensees determine they have the potential deficiency described in the IN.
l As part of this evaluation and in accordance with the letter to the Commission, a letter identifying the concerns has been sent to NUMARC e
In addition, the letter seeks to determine if NUMARC is j
(Enclosure 4).
interested in assisting industry in resolving the concerns identified in the Suggested areas where NUMARC could assist industry were (1) coordinating IN.
the collection of information that identifies where bonded-jacket' cables are used in nuclear plants and their installed environmental conditions and (2) developing and coordinating a licensee inspection effort to determine the material condition of installed bonded-jacket cables. NUMARC has not yet responded to the staff's letter.
While the staff plans to work with NUMARC as the industry focal point on this issue. we are also taking steps to issue a Generic letter, if it is needed.
i as a metnod to obtain information to ascertain the long term safety significance of this issue.
In order to provide background information for the Generic Letter. assistance from NRR Projects and Regions may be requested.
If assistance is required, Projects and/or Regions will be contacted as l
appropriate.
~
If there are questions about this issue, contact George Hubbard at 504-2870.
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l jgMAshokC.Thadani, Director Division of Systems Safety and Analysis Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Enciosures:
As statec cc w/ enclosures:
W. Russell J. Par: low l
- See previous concurrences.
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Enclosure i UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION FFICE OF NUCLEAR REACTOR REGULATION WASHINGTON, D.C.
20555 December II, 1992 POTENTIAL DEFICIENCY OF ELECTR NRC 'NFORMATION NOTICE 92-81:
BONDED HYPALON JACKETS addressees its for nuclear power til holders of ;erating licenses or construction perm eact:rs.
=u':05e information
'he U.S. Nuciear Regulatory C:mmission (NRC) mental jackets.
It-1s
- ualification of electrical caoles with benced Hypaionfor applicability to ex:ectec that rec 1?1ents will review the information However, suggestions "ne1r f acilities ano consider actions, as appropriate.
therefore, no
- ntainee in this information notice are not NRC i
d
- esc"':tien of Circumstance 1 been conoucting
!ancia Nati:nal Laceratories (SNL), under contract to NRC, hast tests :n caoles manuf actured by three differenThe tests aere l
i function inicKness *ecessary for installed cable to perform its intenoeo h
- k
- nite.
- ne insulati:n ce camageo during installation formeo with reouceo ano full
- ncui:
1:tivities.
1 :1:ent (LOCA) testing for the tables were perThe Okonite specimens t h leae
- 2 American Wire Gauge (AWG) control cables insulated insuiation inicknesses.
During t (Okonite-0kolon).
- re:ylene ruoter (EFR) with a benced Hypalon jackeamples failed. The oth
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.0CA testing, all 10 of the Okon1te-0kolon cab e sd jackets and did not experie taoles in this test program did not have bonde anex ectec f ailures.
aos of
- uring this test :rogram the cables were first subjected to 1 c were then
-aciation at the rate of 300 kilorads per hour for 433 hours0.00501 days <br />0.12 hours <br />7.159392e-4 weeks <br />1.647565e-4 months <br /> anBase t re is eau 1 valent inertally aged at ;53 'C (316 'F) for 336 hours0.00389 days <br />0.0933 hours <br />5.555556e-4 weeks <br />1.27848e-4 months <br />.ecuatio h
to a 40 ear caDie life at 69 'C (156 'F) for t e After thermal aging, through-wall cracks w
- r the insulat1:n.
nest :f ne Ckon1te-0kolon caoles.
521:070135
IN 92-81 Decemoer 11, 1992 Page 2 of 3 l
- aoles from passing an insulation resistance (IR) test that was conducted in cry environment.
The After the aging and IR tests, the cables were subjec i
Engineers
- efinea in Appendix A to Institute of Electrical -and Electronics 323-1974, "!EEE Standard for Qualifying Class IE Equipment for Nuclear Power Generating Stations," and (2) 146 hours0.00169 days <br />0.0406 hours <br />2.414021e-4 weeks <br />5.5553e-5 months <br /> at 121 *C (250 *F i
(IEEE) Standard The cables were No chemical spray was used.
One cable with the remainder of the test.
energizea by 110-volt DC power during the test with nl By the fifth day of the' test, all saturated at 11-1/2 hours into the test.
fuses. The' test the Okonite cables had failed, as indicated _by blown 1-ampereand the cables 24, 1992, cnameer was opened on OctoberThe insulation and jacket on the Okonite cab!
engtn cf the cable, anc bare concuctor was visible.
inscectec.
~
the NRC staff visiteo SNL to evaluate the test failur l
luring that' visit, SNL personnel informeo the staff that other Okonite cao
- n Octocer 23, 1992, d
another NRC-l with conced Hypalon jackets had failed similarly at SNL'un erFor this test, the
- ensorea test program (license renewal test program).
- aoles were thermally aged to the equivalent of a 40-year life at 56 *C One out of four Okonite-0kolon cables failed during LOCA testing.
Another group of Oh:, nite caoles that had been yed to a 40-year life (133 'F).
(122 *F) passed this testing.
t
- n aedition to the Okonite failures in the license renewal test program, These
- aeles manuf actured by Samuel Moore also f ailed during LOCA testing.
- aeles were Dekoron Oekorao Type 1952, two-co I
- f EFR) insulation with a bonceo Hypalon jacket ano 20 year life at 55 *C (131 'F), wnile the other caole in wnich both conou j
y;aion.
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56 *C (133 *F).
These
- ailec hac been thermally ageo to a 40-year life atf atiures Other samples of Samuel Moore
- nsulation and bonded jacket had split open.caele survived aging Discussion The SNL test results from NRC-sponsored programs raise questions w l
to the environmental qualification of Okonite cab
- sta ceveloped by the Okonite Company and noted that Okonite 2 aceecing 50 *C (122 'F) for 40 years.
0.75 mm (30 mil) bonced Hypalon jackets and 600-volt caoles wi 1
.11) bonded _Hypalen jackets were qualified based on the p EFA insuiation were previously testeo.
It was believed that if the unjacketed EPR insulation-ld
- assea cualification testing, then EPR insulation with a bonded jackel
.oit test results.
i l
4
IN 92-81 Decemoer II, 1992 Page-3 of 3 However, the Sandia test results 1noicateb I
also pass qualification testing.that Okontte cable with bonded Hyp l Moore cables l
The cualification data reviewed by the staff for the Samue eviously tested by sneweo that cables.with banced Hypalon jackets had b l
ditions of 52 *C
- aole to a. qualified life of 40 years at plant service conTh f
!semecix, Inc.
Dekoron Dekorad INL raise questions about the qualification of Samuel Moore (125 'F) or less.
Type 1952 cables when used at higher temperatures.
- F) applications as l
Other tended-jacket cables, qualified for up to type of failures if tion.
be a factor in the failure of i
not s:ecifically tested in the bonced confirgura Therefore. :;uclification testing that does not use th rates cetween the jacket and the insulation may tive of actual cable performance.
- nceo-jacket caoles.
.acKeteo c:nfiguration may not te representa ffect the Ce:encing.cn the application, failure of these cables could a The functional
- ericrmance of safety functions in nuclear power plants.
ed inside integrity of the cables could be affected if the cables are us ith power cables, or I
centainment, used in continuous pcwer circuits, routed wGen l
routed close to hot pipes. Relating to 10 CFR 50 information fication deficiencies.
- n cealing with potential environmental quali e
If
'his :nformation notice recuires no specific action or written re i
you nave any cuestions aoout tse information' n:ne :f t 1 ate Office of
%ciear React:r Regulation (NRR) project manager.
/
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crian X. Grimes. Director Division of Operating Reactor Support Off_ ice of. Nuclear Reactor Regulation Hukam C. Garg, NRR Tecnnical.c:ntacts:
(301) 504-2929
- nn M. Dummer. NRR-(301) 504-2831
'ist of Recently Issued NRC Information Notices Ittacnment:
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Decemoer "EMORANDUM FOR:
The Chairman Comissioner Rogers Comissioner Curtiss Comissioner Remick Comissioner de Planque James M. Taylor Executive Director for Operations FROM:
FAILURES OF OKONITE ELECTRICAL JACKET DURING TESTS PERFORMED BY
SUBJECT:
LABORATORIES i
to the The our:ose of this temorandum is to provide e ing a f electrical cables
- otential ceficiency in the environmental qualification o with benced jackets.
l ical During testing conducted by Sandia National Laboratories l
bonded Hypalon caoles with ethylene propylene rueber (EPR) insulation and a i
accelerated aging (chlorosulfonated polyethylene. CSPE) jacket cracked dur ngThe h cable insulation.
ano cid not survive the LOCA test.
to the interface between the benced Hypalon jacket and t e l
40 years
'he caoles had been aged at ISS 'C (316 'F) for 336 hours0.00389 days <br />0.0933 hours <br />5.555556e-4 weeks <br />1.27848e-4 months <br /> f plant life at
- f piant life at 69 *C (156 *F).agee at 30 *C (222 'F) for 6 mo 52 *: (125 'F) passee the LOCA test.
lifiec for 40 years of The Ckon1te Company had certifieo these cables to be cuaHow
- iant life at 90 *C (194 'F).
- nscettions, the NRC has taken exception to th proximately 71 *C (131 'F) for 40 years of plant life.
ists in the the staff is now concerned that a potential deficie dj ket cables when they are used in environments with temperatures greater for forty years.
Sandia en The staff met with representatives of the Ok ults and NUMARC was also represented.fication tests of the same Okon1te's position.
verifieo that they have not performed Quali l
They had previously tested a larger cable with the i
F) for 40 insuisti:n ano jacket materials for qualification to 90 *C (1 useo by Sandia.
years.
l l
+
he Comissioners interaction Ckonite stated that they have test data that show no chemic exists between Hypalon and EFR.
However, the Sanois results indicate a brittlement of the more quickly than EPR insulation. mechanical fa i
tremely severe, dose before any themal aging, which in their. op Hypalon.
i l
f d
In addition to the Okonite failures; cables with bonded jac l
i These cables by Samuel Moore have also failed during Sandia LOCA test ng l
l (a type of were.0ekoren Dekorad Type 1952,- two-con instrument cables covered with ethylene-prop i
k t of Hypalon. -
d to a 20-year One cable in which one conductor failed had been themally. ageb i
Tife at 55 *C (131 'F), wnfle the other cable in whichC (133 *F).
These failures l
l nao been thermally ageo to a 40-year life at 56 * -ilure of thel aere similar to the fa Eno benced jacket had split open.
ht l
Cualification data reviewed by the staff for Samuel Moore d
The test caoles with benced Hypalon jackets had been previously teste.d c recorts documented qualification of the Dekoron D less.
lification Easeo on the Sandia test results, the staff has concerns that qu l
has not been established for cables with bonded Hypa on f 50 *t (122 'F) for 40 years and that installed electrical cable j
Hypalon jackets There is a potential for failure during a LOCA than 50 *C.
?.ay te susceptible to failure.:efore 40 years ;f these cables are I d for up
'he staff is also c:ncerneo that other bonded-jacket cables, i
encers, may be.
j to 90 *C (194 'F) applications, as claimeo by var ous vThe difference in ag suscectible to the same type of failures.
failure of
- etween the jacket and the insulation may be a factor in l
l jacketed configuration may not be representative of ac tenced-jacket caoles.
)
i tely l
Data suoplied,by Okonite indicate that their. product is us Based on data collected by EPRI,-Okonite cables al 62' plants.
h the installed cables are reacter containments of about 25 plants.these are all sa lated applications in l
the same as those tested by Sandia.
ft eany plants use other bonded-jacket cable in sa e y-re f
containment.
lied upon The Sanoia test results indicate that some components that ar life of the power l
- uring a LOCA may not remain functional for the full 40-year h
is no While this would present a long tem safety concern Plants.
imeciate safety concern because:
1 l
The Cc=issioners h test results of most concern with cables installed in containment; (2) t eelated ca ft would aoply to a relatively small number of sa e y-r for less than 40 containment; (3) caeles in containment have be lly in tures (outside the the range of 57 *C to 66 *C and PWR containment tempera h probability of a years:
reactor cavity) are in the range of 37 'C to 43
- i s equation.
uncertainties in estimating cable life using the Arrhen u in the process of While there is no ian:ediate safety concern, the staff is ficiency.
issuing an information notice to alert licensees to this pote d consider Licensees would be expected to review the information notice an in safety-related aoproeriate actions if they find bonded-jacket cables used Generic Letter acclications at temperatures greater than 50 *C (122 *F).
" Environmental 58-07 9ecified Enforcement Policy Relating to 10 CFR 50.49, l
Power Oualification of Electrical Ecuipment Important to Safety for Nu tential Plants"" describes actions to be taken by licensees when a po ceficiency in environmental qualification is identified.
i a
The staff has discussed this concern with NUMARC and will be p h
ld be the written request to seek their assistance in t e r Among the near tern (six months) actions exp l
re used in nuclear plants and the environmental conditions in il l
conoition of the installed cables.
WMARC aculd te recuested to take the lead stry Based on monitoring and evaluation of l generic
- recram to resolve Ine issue.WMARC/inoustry actions. the staff
- =unications or staff actions.
zeo that this Jhile this memo describes planned actions, it should be recogni is an evolving issue ano the described actions may be changed lated information is obtainea on benced-jacket cables and their safety-aoplications in nuclear plants. Originaisignedtry James M.Taylot James M. Taylor Executive Director for Operations DEDR EE cc:
SECY J5niezek JTF-r OGC 12/ /92 12//
92 Distribution: See next page v$
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'See crevious concurrences, SPLS:055A D:D55A ADT:NRR J AR
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SPLE:DSSA SPLB:055A AThadani* WRussell*
T urley*
12/ l9_2., 11/24/92 11/24/92 11/24/92 11/25/92 11/25/92 ADumer:so GHubbaro*
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i TASK ACTION PLAN OUTLINE FOR BONDED-JACKET CABLES TASKS COMPLETED Met with Okonite, Sandia, and NUMARC at Headquarters.
1.
Issued memorandum to Commission discussing potential deficiency.
2.
Issued Information Notice to notify licensees of the potential deficiency in environmental qualification of bonded-jacket cables.
3.
Send letter to NUMARC to see if they were interested in assisting A.
industry in resolution of issue.
TASKS TO BE TAKEN and APPR0XIMATE SCHEDULES Review available bonded-jacket cable test data (Sandia and l
1.
Qualification)
I Scheduled Completion:
Ongoing Arrange meeting with NUMARC to discuss their involvement in resolution 2.
of issue.
Scheduled Completion:
January 29, 1993 l
Arrange meeting with NUMARC at Sandia to review the test data and view l
the test facilities.
Scheduled Completion:
February 24, 1993 Issue a T1 for Regional inspection of cable environments and conditions.
4 Scheduled Completion:
July 15, 1993
- Issue a Generic letter (GL) requesting licensees provide information 5.
regarding the use of bonded-jacket cables, their qualification, and service conditions. Request response within 60-90 days.
Scheduled Completion:
October 15, 1993
- Review and evaluate information gathered by various methods discussed above. Determine long term safety significance and determine actions 6.
needed for resolution of issue.6 months after receipt of information Scheduled Completion:
from industry action or GL
- Items 4 and 5 will be initiated; however, they may not be completed if i
NUMARC and industry actions are sufficient to allow determination and l
NOTE:
implementation of required actions (if needed) for resolution of issue.
December 29, 1992 l
l l
.-'f ** %
UNITED STATES NUCLE AR REGULATORY COMMISSION i
T-i wasecTON. O. C. 20S65 ^
Q.j
\\'....[..c!
Decemoer 22, 1992 Mr. William Rasin l
Vice President and Director Tecnnical Division Nuclear Management and Resources Council
'776 Eye Street, NW Suite 300 Wasnington, DC 20006-2496
Dear Mr. Rasin:
he ourpose of this letter is to notify you of a potential deficiency in th The invironmental cualification of electrical cables with bonded jackets.
- oncerns of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) regarding the
- ualification of bencea-]acKet electrical c
-!ycaion Jackets," wnich is enclosea.
s stated in the IN, the potential ceficiency was identified as the res i
On the basis testing concutted for the NRC by Sandia National Laboratories.
of test results for the electrical cables with Hyp l
other conced-jacket cables in safety-related applications may be susce f
to f ailure wnen installed service conditions exceed temperatures o l
50 *: (122' F) for 40 years.
ciate safety concern. the staff is an11e ine NRC teiieves there is no imme ivaiusting the extent of inis cotential ceficiency and developing a) ecessary to resolve this ssue.
long-term safety 1 eans io gather informaticn reau1rea to ascertain theThe information nee the quantity of
- gnificance of this :ssue.
the
- enced-jacket cables oeing usea in safety-related applications:
the actual service environmental cualification status of these caoles:and th concitions of the caoles:
~he NRC is notifying you of this potential deficiency and the initial NR actions to cetermine if NUMARC is interested in being the foca (1) coordinating the collection of information that identifies incustry in resolv1ng this issue.
sed in nuclear plants and their installed 1noustry by:
l onere conced-jacket cab es are u env1renmental concitions and (2) developing and c 1
- acKet cacies.
i is you are probably. aware. much of the.Sandia test data tha Therefore, if NUMARC the IN and the NRC concerns have not yet been pub The meeting
- uolic meeting at Sanaia with NUMARC as the industry focal point.lities can l
would be held at Sanaia so that the test f aci T
h l
l l
J Decemoer 22, ;?92
'4r.iiliam Rasin '
ld samoles and test data can be inspected, ano direct discussions ca witn the people who conoucted the testing.
l be able to obtain an review the test data first hand, NUMARC and industry wil ficance of the test t
unoerstanding of the Sandia test activities and the s rogram to aedress the NRC's concerns with bonced-jacket cables.
If NUMARC is interested in assisting industry in the resolution t ff at your earliest l
we would be happy to meet with you or members of your s a convenience to discuss how NUKARC can best help industry an Cetails on the staff's concerns relative to this matter.
i any questions regarding this letter or need further informa at (301) 504-2873 or George Hubbard at If you havt inis issue, contact Conrad McCracketi 301) 504-2370.
j Sincerely, William T. Russell, Associate Director for Inspection and. Technical Assessment Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation-i i
Enclosure:
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