ML20083H726

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Advises That Magnetically Coupled Contacts on mercury-wetted Contact Type Relays Will Open & Initiate Scram.Currently, Four Subj Relays Installed in Reactor
ML20083H726
Person / Time
Site: National Bureau of Standards Reactor
Issue date: 01/06/1984
From: Rozier Carter
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS & TECHNOLOGY (FORMERL
To: Bernard H
NRC
References
NUDOCS 8401130325
Download: ML20083H726 (1)


Text

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e f, e en \. UNITE] STATE] DEPARTME]f OF COMMERCE National Bureel of Ctandards

/ Washingtoa D.C. 20234

\,%,.

Docket No. 50-184 January 6, 1984 Mr. Harold Bernard Project Manager U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, DC E0555

Dear Mr. Bernard:

This is in response to the question whether an increase in the D.C. power voltage to the final process scram relays will prevent the relays from performing their scram function. There are currently four such relays, any one of which will cut off the power to the shim arm clutches and cause a scram. The relays are mercury wetted contact type with magnetically coupled contacts. With this type of a relay, regardless of any overvoltage which may damage the coil, the magnetically coupled contacts will open thereby initiating a scram. This was confirmed by a test conducted recently on a relay of the same type. The relay was initially subjected to 21/2 times its rated voltage for a period of approximately 9 hours1.041667e-4 days <br />0.0025 hours <br />1.488095e-5 weeks <br />3.4245e-6 months <br /> during which time the relay continued to function properly even though it appeared thoroughly

" baked" with wax melting and flowing. The voltage was then increased to more than three times the rated value for the relay; and after approximately one hour, the coil failed at which time the contacts opened.

Sincerely, f & ).h Robert S. Carter Chief Reactor Radiation Division O

  1. F 9401130325 840106 DRADOCK05000g8]