ML20107H891
| ML20107H891 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Seabrook  |
| Issue date: | 02/21/1985 |
| From: | Devincentis J PUBLIC SERVICE CO. OF NEW HAMPSHIRE |
| To: | Starostecki R NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION I) |
| References | |
| SBN-767, NUDOCS 8502270315 | |
| Download: ML20107H891 (3) | |
Text
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SEABROOK STATION Engineering Office February 21, 1985 W Service d h @
SBN-767 T.F.
Q2.2.2 Now Hampshire Yonkes Division United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission Region I 631 Park Avenue King of Prussia, PA 19406 Attention:
Mr. Richard W. Starostecki, Director Division of Project and Resident Programs
References:
(a) Construction Permits CPPR-135 and CPPR-136, Docket Nos. 50-443 and 50-444 (b) Telecon of January 18, 1985, A. L. Legendre, Jr. (YAEC) to Jim Beall (NRC Region I)
(c) PSNH Letter SBN-723, dated October 26, 1984, " Final 10CFR50.55(e) Report: Gould Molded Case Circuit Breakers -
Non-Reportability Determination", J. DeVincentis to R. W. Starostecki
Subject:
Interim 10CFR50.55(e) Report: Gould Molded Case Circuit Breakers
Dear Sir:
On January 18, 1985, we reported a potential 10CFR50.55(e) deficiency
[ Reference (b)] regarding Gould molded case circuit breakers. This deficiency has been evaluated and we have determined that it is reportable under the provisions of 10CFR50.55(e).
Description of Deficiency The deficiency involves the failure of ten Gould molded case circuit breakers (40-amp trip, Model HE3M040) to pass the instantaneous overcurrent trip test performed at Seabrook Station by the Start-Up and Test Department.
A similar failure was reported to Region I on May 16, 1984, at which time the breakers were returned to the factory for evaluation. The manufacturer reported that the problem was a result of incorrect calibration. The incorrect calibration represented an isolated breakdown in the quality control procedures of Gould's sub-supplier. Based on this, we considered the item as nonreportable and we informed Region I accordingly [ Reference (c)].
Since then, the ten breakers were returned from the factory to Seabrook Station, and during acceptance testing, six of the ten breakers failed again to pass the instantaneous overcurrent trip test.
The acceptance criteria of this test are based on the manufacturer's time-current curve presently on hand.
8502270315 850221 PDR ADOCK 05000443 S
PDR 8 0 P.O. Box 300 Seabrook,NHO3874 + Telephone (603)474-9521 o7;
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United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission Attention:
Mr. Richard W. Starostecki Page 2 Further investigation on this anomaly has revealed the following:
ITE Electrical. Products (Division of Siemens Allis), which is Gould's sub-supplier for the subject breakers, has indicated that there is a discrepancy in the magnetic trip range between the published engineering data (time-current curves) and manufacturing data. Manufacturing data indicates that the trip range for this type breaker is 600 to 1,000 amperes; whereas, the published time-current curve indicates 400 to 700 amperes.
The-subject breakers were tested successfully, based on the manufacturing data, before they left ITE's factory, but failed when they were tested at Seabrook Site, based on the published time-current curve.- Obviously, the discrepancy in tripping ranges accounts for the failure of the subject breakers to pass the test.
Safety Implications In this specific case, the breakers will perform their intended function as designed, and therefore, there is no safety implication associated with the subject deficiency, due to the small difference in the-instantaneous tripping range between the published range (400 to 700 amperes), and the actual
- as-constructed range (600 to 1000 amperes). We do, however, view the failure of Could's -sub-supplier to provide the proper information on tripping ranges, and the failure of Gould to identify the subject deficiency _before returning the circuit breakers to.Seabrook Station as significant breakdowns in the Quality Control procedures of both Gould and Gould's sub-supplier for the breakers.
Corrective Action To prevent the recurrence of the subject deficiency,- Gould will review.
purchase orders to assure that Class 1E requirements are clearly specified.
Gould will also test all lE circuit breakers, prior to shipment, to the
-requirements of NEMA AB-2, and issue objective evidence for each tested circuit-breaker. Gould's sub-supplier for the circuit breakers will issue-corrected time-current curves specifying the proper magnetic tripping range.
We'will inform Region I when the corrective action has been completed.
This letter -is being filed pursuant to the interim reporting provisions.of 10CFR50.55(e)(3).
Very:truly ours, John DeVincentis, Director Engineering and Licensing cc: Atomic Safety and Licensing Board Service List Director, Office of Inspection and Enforcement
- U.S. Nuclear. Regulatory Commission
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~ Washington, DC 20555 j
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William S. Jordan, III diana Curran Harmon, Weiss & Jordan 20001 S Street N.W.
Brentwood Board of Selectmen RED Dalton Road Suite 430 Brentwood, New Hampshire 03833 Washington, D.C.
20009 Robert G. Perlis Office of the Executive Legal _ Director Edward F. Meany U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Designated Representativq of Washington, DC 20555 the Town of Rye 155 Washington Road Robert A. Backus, Esquire Rye, NH 03870 116 Lowell Street F'.0. Box 516 Calvin A. Canney Mancehster, NH 03105 City Manager City Hall Philip Ahrens, Esquire 126 Daniel Street Assistant Attorney General Portsmouth, NH 03801 Department of the Attorney General Augusta. HE 04333 Dana Bisbee, Esquire Assistant Attorney General Mr. John B. Tanzer Office of the Attorney General Designated Representative of 208 State House Annex the Town of Hampton Concord, NH 03301 5 Morningside Drive Hampton, NH 03842 Anne Verge, Chairperson Board of Selectmen Roberta C. Pavear Town Hall Designated Representative of South Hampton, NH 03642 the Town of Hampton Falls Drinkwater Road Patrick J. McKeon Hampton Falls, NH 03844 Selectmen's Office 10 Central Road Mrs. Sandra Cavutis Rye, NH 03670 Designated Representative of the Town of Keesington Carole T. Kagan, Esq.
RFD 1 Atomic Safety and Licensing Board Panel East Kingston, NH 03827 U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Jo Ann Shotwell, Esquire Assistant Attorney General Mr. Angie Machiros Environmental Protection Bureau Chairman of the Board of Selectmen l
Department of the Attorney General Town of Newbury One Ashburton Place, 19th Floor Newbury, MA 01950 Boston, MA 02108 Town Manager's Office Senator Gordon J. Humphrey Town Hall - Friend Street U.S. Senate Amesbury, Ma.
01913 Washington, DC 20510 (Attn: Tom Burack)
Senator Gordon J. Humphrey 1 Pillsbury Street l
Diana P. Randall Cen:ord, NH 03301
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70 Collins Street (Attn: Herb Boynton) l SEabrook, NH 03874 Richard E. Sullivan, Mayor i
Donald E. Chick City Hall Town Manager Newburyport, MA 01950 Town of Exeter 10 Front Street Exeter, NH 03833 l
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