ML20141C825

Discusses Malfunction of Eaton Corp Pushbutton Switches at Plant.No Similar Events Reported by Other Facilities.Ie Info Notice Unnecessary

ML20141C825
Person / Time
Site:	Wolf Creek
Issue date:	12/30/1985
From:	Baer R NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE)
To:	Johnson E NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION IV)
References
NUDOCS 8601020563
Download: ML20141C825 (1)

Text

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o UNITED STATES

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'E o NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION t a wAsmNGTON, D. C. 20555

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g g gl MEMORANDUM FOR: Eric H. Johnson, Acting Director Division of Reactor Safety and Projects Region IV i

FROM: Robert L. Baer, Chief j Engineering and Generic Communications Branch l Division of Emergency Preparedness and Engineering Response Office of Inspection and Enforcement

SUBJECT:

MALFUNCTION OF PUSHBUTTON SWITCHES AT WOLF CREEK GENERATING STATION We have reviewed the subject draft information notice that you provided in your memorandum of October 10, 1985.

We have reviewed our LER records and did not discover any other reports that attribute pushbutton failures to the " window lock" problem that Wolf Creek experienced. We contacted Eaton Corp. (Cutler-Hammer) who stated that they have not had any reported failures from other nuclear or coninercial customers related to the " window locking", though they were aware of a small potential for this problem as evidenced by their design change to a rounded tip pushrod.

The licensee's LER 85-057-01(10-14-85) report concluded that the combination of fsctors required to fail the switch were extremely remote and they reported, as the draft information notice noted, that 10 switches selected at random passed 40 year duty cycle mechanical life tests without failure. Though Kansas Gas & Electric took the conservatively prudent action of replacing their switches with the new design we believe that.the longer operating history of these switches without problems at other plants indicates that an IE Bulletin or Information Notice is' not warranted at this time. We will continue to monitor licensee reports and will take action as required.

i Y

Robert L. Baer, Chief Engineering and Generic Communications Branch Division of Emergency Preparedness and Engineering Response Office of Inspection and Enforcement Technical

Contact:

Jim Stewart, IE (301)492-9061 p sO

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