ML20137T598

Requests Assistance in Determining Use in Mild Environs of Switchboard Wire Not Tested in Accordance W/Ieee 383-1974 for Class 1E Equipment

ML20137T598
Person / Time
Site:	Braidwood
Issue date:	01/27/1986
From:	Paperiello C NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION III)
To:	Thompson H Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
Shared Package
ML20137T545	List: ML20137T538 ML20137T598
References
NUDOCS 8602180396
Download: ML20137T598 (4)

Text

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S NUCLEAR REGULATCaY COMMisslON camom m tes noosavaLT nono j

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l MEMORANDUM FOR: H. L. Thompson, Jr. Director, Division of Pressurized Water Reactor Licensing-A, NRR l i

FRON: Carl J. Paperiello, Director, Division of Reactor Safety. Region III

SUBJECT:

REQUEST FOR ASSISTANCE - THE ACCEPTABILITY OF SWITCHBOARD

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WIRE NOT QUALIFIED IN ACCORDANCE WITH IEEE 383-1974. IN

, i IN CLASS 1E AND OTHER EQUIPMENT IMPORTANT TO SAFETY AT BRAIDWOOD (AITSF03004186)

Region III has detemined as a-result of both the Construction Appraisal Team -

and regional inspections, that switchboard wire not qualified in accordance with IEEE 383-1974 has inadvertantly been used in Class IE and other equipment important to safety. This is an apparent deviation from Braidwood Plant

SAR commitments. The licensee has documented this condition on nonconfomance

! documents (Nonconformance Report No. 707) and in the instances where these inadvertant installations are in harsh environments the switchboard wire

'which did not conform to IEEE 383-1974 requirements has been replaced with wire which was tested in accordance with IEEE 383-1974. In those instances where the apparently nonconforming switchboard wire is installed in equipment located in " mild" environments the licensee has indicated that no

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corrective action will be taken. Further, the licensee contends that this action is in agreement with their SAR consiitments. The wire actually installed was tested in accordance with Underwriter's Laboratory Standard VW-1, " Vertical Flame Test".

This matter was previously discussed briefly with the Braidwood Project Manager and other members of your staff on November 5,1985, and on January 22, 1986. It was initially documented as an unresolved issue in Region III Inspection Report Nos. 50-456/85007 and 50-457/85007.

'l i The background on this issue is attached. We request your assistance in detemining the use in " mild" environments of switchboard wire which was not tested in accordance with IEEE 383-1974 for Class IE equipment at l

the Braidwood Power Plant.

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H. L. Thompson, Jr. 2 JAIJ 2 71986 In view of the ongoing Braidwood hearing preparation, we would appreciate expeditious resolution of this matter. Should you require additiona1 information on this issue, please contact Mr. C. C. Williams (FTS 388-5598) or Mr. J. J. Harrison (FTS 388-5635) of my staff.

gfN Carl . Pa riello, Director Division of Reactor Safety ,

Attachment:

As stated cc wlattachment:

B. K.. Grimes, IE J. Stevens, NRR O

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• ATTACHMENT .

BACKGROUND ON BRAIDWOOD SWITCHB0ARD WIRE ISSUE The Braidwood Station Construction Assessment Team (CAT) inspection identified the use of General Electric (GE) Vulkene SIS SI-57275 switchboard wire in Class IE motor control centers. It was determined from documents that the j subject wire was not tested in accordance with the type tests of IEEE 383-1974.  :

Subsequent inspections by Region III identified use of the subject switchboard  !

wire in control panels throughout the Braidwood Unit 1 Auxiliary Building. The Braidwood SAR Section 8.3, states, in part, that "The construction of Class 1E cables of the types furnished for . . . Braidwood have passed the flame test of IEEE 383-1974". On April 11, 1985, the licensee issued a letter entitled,

- " Qualification of Switchboard Wire". In summary, the letter stated that "Vulkene switchboard wire is acceptable for its application ~ in safety-related

equjpment since the auxiliary building is not considered a harsh environment and Vulkene meets Underwriters Laboratory (UL) VW-1 vertical flame test". The 4

letter further states in context that IEEE 383-1974, does not apply to any ,

equipment other than cable splices and connections. This document references  !

Amendment 10, Question 7.1.44 of the Braidwood Preliminary Safety Analysis . l Report (PSAR); and concludes that IEEE 383-1974 is not applicable to the subject switchboard wire.

Region III has reviewed the licensee's contention that the Vulkene SIS-57275 switchboard wire is not subject to the requirements of the SAR commitment to IEEE 383-1974. Based on our review, we currently believe that the requirements of IEEE 383-1974 are applicable to the subject switchboard wire. We can not

determine the acceptability of the licensee's rational which concludes in effect, that switchboard wire which meets UL VW-1 flame test is equivalent for installations in a mild environment.

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Region III has reviewed Amendment 10 of the Braidwood Preliminary Safety Analysis Report (PSAR), NRC Question 7.1.44 which states in part "With regard l to environrental qualification of all balance of plant instrument, control and i electrical equipment important to safety, we require . . . that IEEE 383-1974 i

be included in the criteria for qualifying Class IE equipment". The licensee's answer to question 7.1.44 states in part, "IEEE 383-1974 applies to Class IE electrical cables, splices and connections, it does not apply to any other equipment. The applicant intends to comply with the requirements of IEEE 383-1984 to the maximum extent possible. The applicant will justify any noncompliance". Based on Region III review, it appears that IEEE 383-1974 is applicable to switchboard wire. ,

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OF SWITCHBOARD WIRE HUT QUALIFIED IN ACCORDANCE WITH IEEE 383-1974 IN CLASS v ' 'fi. -

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