ML20151N841

Discusses Ongoing Investigation of Five Circuit Breaker Companies Per Info Notice 88-046.Companies Shipped Breakers to Number of Govt Facilities Including Bureau of Engraving & Printing.Info Notice 88-046 & Invoices Encl

ML20151N841
Person / Time
Issue date:	08/01/1988
From:	Grimes B Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
To:	TREASURY, DEPT. OF
References
IEIN-88-046, IEIN-88-46, NUDOCS 8808090105
Download: ML20151N841 (3)

Text

"

i man

• /o o

', uni 1 ED STATES  !

1

[3 i NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION 3 . C WASHING TON, D. C. 20555 )

%,.... p$

l AVG 01 1998 l

Procurement Officer i Bureau of Engraving and Printing "0" Street Between 13th & 14th Street, S.W.

Washington, D.C. 20228 1 1

Dear Sir:

I

SUBJECT:

POTENTIALLY DEFECTIVE REFURBISHED CIRCUlT BREAKERS .

The enclosed Nuclear Regulatory Comission (NRC) Information Notice (IN) 88-46 l describes the circumstances under which defective refurbished electrical equip- l ment may have been supplied to nuclear power plants. Our continuing investiga-tion of the five circuit breaker companies identified in the IN shows that the j companies have shipped breakers to a number of government facilities and agencies. <

Our review of a sample of invoices indicates that generally the breakers are sold to a distributor, and it was only the occasional shipment direct to the end user that permitted us to identify the final government destination.

I have enclosed a copy of an invoice that identifies your agency as the customer. These documents represent our review of a selection of records spanning the last two or three years from all of the companies. As other records are reviewed, we will provide any additional information that comes to light.

However, since some of the companies have been in business for as many as 30 years, a full historical records search will not be possible.

The five California companies appear to sell surplus new as well as refurbished l breakers. However, their refurbished equipment may be shipped in containers j resembling original manufacturer containers. .

1 If there is any additional infomation you require, please call me or Mr. Walter Haass at (301) 492-3219.

! Sincerely,

) 1 l

O *#

rian K. Grimes, Director Division of Reactor Inspection and Safeguards Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation 3

Enclosures:

()f0 V

1 1.

2.

NRC Bulletin (IN) 88-46 Invoices / Orders

' hd 8808090105 ORg 880001 RRB PDR

)

. l Procurement Officer AUG0 t pg 1

k OISTRIBUTION:w/o Enclosures ,

JTaylor  !

JSniezek i TMartin-  ;

BGrimes JStone .

<PDR M ,

Central Files DRis Reading (w/ Enclosures)  !

i t

i t

I I

i l 1 i

• See previous page ncurrences.

DRIS:NRR RS j JStone:tt* B i

07/22/88 /23/88 j t/t %no }

i l l

l l

e1 I

""""" INY0lCE D hENERAL bnd AGNETICS/ Electric Wholesale m .o 2 ENGINEERED ELECTRICAL CO.%7ROLS A'iD CU\1PONENT5 2,  ;

2201 YATES AVENUE e CObibfERCE. CAUFORNIA 90(M0 '~

(213) 728 8684  : O l

PROCUREMEkT OFFICER , O  ;

CENERAL ELECTRIC SUPPLY P

BEAURE OF EWG. RAYING & PRIWTIWc {O  ;

.{ 3715 WEST STREIT [: ,*D". STREET BEDLEEW 13pi 41421LFE3W. __

6' s

[ LARDCYER. MD 20785 " WASHIWGTOW a DC 20228 .-

... . .... ...... m ... .._..

as 3-25-83 yARTzu . _5 u. -

. .2 . . .50J.

. . . . . . .0. . . l. .ano2 p

1.l76".$ i UPS l533-07117285D 1(301) es . l = 3161-1800 g,f,g .1., . . . . 1 .. .u l! weat

. 1 C.E. TE32100 CIRCUIT BREAKER 90.00 t li hO N I_

i i

l. ,  !

! i

• I '

s j

. I I, i

)

g '

!e l I j l,  !

i 4__ __,___.._ _ MARU_T)317-_00 _ _ h J _ - _ ._

p B ACK 0RDE RS WIL L BE SHIPPE D ON CONTINU ATION INVOICE NDTED AIOVE. ,

y,;,gy _ m_ __ w = z_--=SUB TOTA L=_-..h=p. k._ @a =

,,,,,,,.j, . _ <,j,,-,,,; = _ = ,,,y_

6_22dd/.._] / [ b_+ N _ N' 2 ---

! i U

n G O V. l l

. _ _ _ _._ 1 3_C_S "'*M N Ti I '

,c. u , i o = .

I

_ _ . REPAIR LABOR 1>

• "--~ -- ou i

+.

_ , e n s i ,wt 7 _. '

h k/!

i s'L'O'"D.g,rniecut},'

. ,, 'Dl

~ m v.r. . .:. . .

i

{!

f a_ f . _ - - . _ .

__I._ _ _ - .__n I

{

TE R'.'s NE T 30 DAYS NO CA.5H DISCOUNT

.FeiacNc'to"aYs2ta'sNo"daiE" $0 fNr'tg7a'[t" uc'jfia'tYI" ,

' " "I ~ TOTAL ~- > ' -

93",47j

'-~ ' ~ -

l

,t2.

'...< .,<.,a_a si , a , os , a. ,i1sa;'J,ya;'f,'lLa! t s-,,<. s',g$,' '!$m'!"o! !1, i

i e l  !

CIR(111 ttRI ski Rs A T Ril'.s cbb '"""bN""'""'"L

l  !

" " ~ " "

RI t \\ s <ON1\(IORs blRt _ ( \ lit r l '? \(.Ni lif ( Oll s \( - In

. Al'!I I \1 T R \N;f O!!\ll RS li 't rl R 41l 1:1 ( ON! Rol s \!nlfiRs (.1N1H\IURs "I illa i. \l ( ! s til W LOR A Willitt A I

i -

I

UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION OFFICE OF NUCLEAR REACTOR REGULATION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20555 July 8, 1988 NRC INFORMATION NOTICE NO 88-46: LICENSEE REPORT OF DEFECTIVE REFURB CIRCUIT BREAVERS Addressees:

All holders of operating licenses or construction pemits for nuclear power reactors.

Pu* pose:

This infomation notice is being provided to alert addressees of licensee reported infomation that defective refurbished electrical equipment, such as circuit breakers (CBs), may have been supplied to nuclear power plants.

It is expected that recipients will review this infomation for applicability to their facilities and consider actions, as appropriate, to avoid similar problems.

However, suggestions contained in this infonnation notice do not constitute is required. NRC requirements; therefore, no specific action or written response Description of Circumstances:

Pacific Gas and Electric Compan purchase order for 30 new, non y (PG&E) has infonned NRC that it placed a safety-related, molded-case, KHL 36125-type CBs manufactured by the Square D Company (Square D) with a local electrical distributor. These CBs were intended for use in non-safety-related applica- ,

i tions at PG&E's Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant.

According to ?G&E, the distributor in turn placed the order with a local sup-plier who bid the lowest price and promised the quickest delivery. The CBs ,

were delivered directly to the Diablo Canyon plant by the supplier; the dis-tributor did not have an opportunity to inspect the CBs. Square D, aware of the purchase vintage order, questioned KHL 36125-type CBs. its failure to receive an order for the unique With PG&E's pqrmission, Square D inspected the CBs and detemined that PG&E had been givin refurbished, rather than new, CBs.

Square reportedDby tested PGtEand performed detailed examinations of the CBs, and the results follow.

A. Physical Examination The yellow side labels used on the CBs were suspect in that the CB model numbers were typed on the labels whereas authentic labels are preprinted.

The CBs departed from normal appearance in other respects as well.

,SG57Us0uQt

L* IN 88-46 July 8, 1988 Page 2 of 3 The individual CB cases and each of the CB components appeared to be Square D products; however, the individual CBs incorporated components of different years of manufacture. Each CB bore evidence of having been opened and reassembled.

B. _ Electric Testing Square D subjected the CBs to five electrical tests. None of the CBs complied with Square D or Underwriters' Laborator) (UL) specifications for all of the tests, and several of the CBs were out of tolerance on each of the tests. At least four of the CBs failed to trip under circum-stances in which they are designed to trip.

. Discussion:

In the past, there have been instances in which licensees purchased comercial-grade components, such as CRs, relays, trip units, and other electrical compo-nents, from electrical distributors and have received components that did not meet the original purchase order requirements.

NPC has received additional information indicating that the problem of surplus or defective refurbished CBs may also spply to CBs sold under other manufacturers' names (e.g., General Electric, Westinghouse, ITE, Cutler Hamer, and Sylvania).

The electrical suppliers involved in refurbishing and sales of circuit breakers, including the California Diablo Canyon, Square D circuit breakers, apparently include five corporations.

These companies are (1) General Circuit Breaker &

Electric Supply, Inc., (2) HLC Electric Supply Co., Inc., (3) Pencon Inter-national, Inc., doing business as General Magnetics / Electric Wholesale, (4)

California Breakers, Inc., and (5) Anti-Thef t Systens, Inc., doing business as ATS Circuit Breakers and as AC Circuit Breaker-Electrical Supply. .

NRC has an investigation and vendor inspection in progress at the above compa-nies.

On the basis of the information developed to date, a preliminary list of customers of the five companies including a list of nuclear utilities (where available) is provided in Attachment 1.

equipment nanufacturers whose names may have been used on surplus or refu equipment sold as new equipment.

The information included in Attachments I ard 2 is only preliminary and is provided to assist licensees in reviewing the potential of having procured suspect electrical equipment at their facilities.

Licensees are reminded of the requirements to ensure that procured itens r+et the relevant specifications and codes and are suitable for the intended appli-cation.

Licensees should consider, as a matter of prudence, the need to inquire nf and to equipment, materials, verify with and theircomponents.

authorized distributors the sources of procured Licensees may meet these re by effectively implerenting their quality assurance (QA) programs,quirements particularly in the areas of vendor evaluations, bench tests, and post-installation tests. vendor surveillances, receipt inspection,

IN 88-46 July 8, 198P l Page 3 of 3 NRC is gathering additional information to detemine what further actions are necessary.

The primary purpose of this infomation notice is to alert addressees of the situation as soon as possible. The NRC is considering issuing a bulletin to followup on this infomation notice when the NRC has sufficient infomation ,

to define requirements. 1 No specific action or written response is required by this infomation notice.

If you have any questions about this matter, please contact one of the techni-cal contacts listed below or the Regional Administrator of the appropriate l regional office, '

i Cha  % ..

rles b

Rossi, Director l Division of Operational Events Assessment Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Technical Contacts: K. R. Naidu, NRR (301) 492-0980 Jaime Guillen, NRR (301) 492-1170 l

Attachments:

1. Preliminary List of Customers (Intermediate Suppliers) of Suspect Electrical Equipment  !

2. Preliminary List of Original Equipment Manufacturers l Phose Names May Have Beer Used on Surplus or l Pefurbished Equipment Sold as New Equipment j

3. List of Recently Issued NRC Infomation Notices .

i 1

I a

. \

A2tachment 2 IN 88-46 July 8, 19PP Page 1 of ?

PRELIMINARY LIST OF CUSTOMERS (INTERMEDIATE SUPPLIERS) 0F SUSPECT ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT Organization Location Nuclear Utility (if availaole)

Kestinghouse Electric St. Louis, M0; Boston, MA; Supply Co. (WESCO) Boise, 10; Atlanta, GA; Charleston, SC; Panama, FL; Santa Clara, CA; Fresno, CA; Sacramento, CA; Shreveport LA; Green Bay, WI; Elk Creek, IL; Albuquerque, NM; Mobile, AL;

- Ft. Worth, TX; Baton Rouge, LA; Birmingham, AL; East Hartford, CT; Kokomo, IN; Jackson, MS; Milwaukee, Wl; Beaumont, TX; Nashville, TN; Skelton, WV; Albany, NY; Hartford, CT; Portland, ME; St. Paul, MN; Minneapolis, MN; other locations

, Power Conversion Huntington Beach, CA Rockwell International Los Angeles, CA Arkansas Power and Light Little Rock, AP ANO Southern California San Clenente, CA; i

Edison SONGS other locations -

l l

Phoenix Electric Phoenix, A2 Rensenhouse Electric Topeka, KS Breaker and Control Houston, TX

, General Electric Company Baltimore, MD; Houston, TX; i

Landover, MD; Chantilly, VA; Emeryville, CA; Elmhust, IL ,

l Southern Electric Alexandria LA i Supply Company Cleveland Electric Company

. I l

l Attachment 1 IN 88-46 July 8, 1988 Page ? of 2 i

PRELIMINARY LIST OF CUSTONERS (INTERMEDIATE SUPPLIERS)  !

0F SUSPECT ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT I l

Orcanization Location Nuclear Utility (if available) 2 {

Stokley interprises Norfolk, VA Taylor Electric Company Portland, OR

- Graybar Ventura, CA; Atlanta, GA l

Hughes Aircraft El Segundo, CA Houster. Electric Houston, TX Distribution Company '

- ITE Electrical Products Atlanta, GA; Knoxville, TN

, Knudson Corporation Los Angeles, CA Georgia Power Company Milledgeville, GA I

I l

l

.f I

i 1

.,_.r. ,m. _,, ,. _ . - ,- _ ._.,_

-.c. -

, . _ - - . , ~ , , , .

Attet.hment 2 l

IN 88-46 July 8, 1988 Page 1 o' 2 PRELIMINARY LIST OF ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURERS WHOSE NAMES MAY HAVE BEEN USED ON SURPLUS OR REFURBISHED E0VIPMENT SOLD AS NEW EQUIPMENT Manufacturer Model Number f.cuipment Description Square 0 B19.5; B22 Heater for overload relay General Electric 12HGA11552 Auxiliary relay Exide Company NT400 Spectre Inc. V00014 Mercury lamps Bussman Company REN15 15-amp 250 Y fuse Bussman Company N05-30 30-amp 600 V fuse (unknown) FSN 5925-628-0641 Circuit breaker Westinghouse DB 50 '

Trip unit Westinghouse DB 25 400-amp circuit breaker Westinghouse HKB315CT Trip unit Westinghouse KB3250F Frame .

Westinghouse FB3020 Circuit breaker Westinghouse FB3070 Circuit breaker Westinghcuse FB3050 Circuit breaker Westinghouse EHP3040 Circuit breaker Westinghouse EHB3025 Circuit breaker Vestinghouse LBB3125 Circuit breaker destinghouse HKA3EfC Trip unit Vestinghouse JA3200 Circuit breaker Vestinghouse EH32100 circuit breaker Westinghouse CAH3200 Circuit breaker

- Attachment 2 IN 88-46 July 8, 198P Page 2 of 2 PRELIMINARY LIST OF ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURERS WHOSE NAMES MAY HAVE BEEN USED ON SURPLUS OR REFURBISHED EQUIPMENT SOLD AS NEW EQUIPMENT Manufacturer ,Model Number Equipment Description I Westinghouse 225N Navy trip units ITE EF-38100 100-amp circuit breaker .

General Electric AK-2-75-3 Circuit breaker I

General Electric AK-2 Circuit breaker i

j General Electric AK-1-50 Circuit breaker i

i General Electric AK-1-75 Circuit breaker General Electric B; TD0; TFJ Circuit breakers General Electric TCVVFS Circuit breaker ITE ET; KA Circuit breakers Cutler Hanmer -- i Circuit breakers l Zinsco/Sylvania -- l Circuit breakers Bryant --

Circuit breakers

^

Murry --

Circuit breakers Federal Pacific Electric --

Circuit breakers Company  !

1 l

l l

l l

l l

l l

.-.s ,_ _ ._. - - . . . . .

~

Attachment 3 th 88-46 July 8, 1988 Page 1 of I LIST OF RECENTLY ISSUED NRC INFORMATION NOTICES Information Date of Notice No. Subject Issuance issued to 88-45 Problems In Protective 7/7/88 All holders of OLs Relay and Circuit or cps for nuclear Breaker Coordination power reactors.

88-44 Mechanical Binding of 6/24/88 All holders of OLs Spring Release Device or cps for nuclear in Westinghouse Type power reactors.05-416 Circuit Breakers 88-43 Solenoid Valve Problems 6/23/88 All holders of OLs or cps for nuclear power reactors.

88-42 Circuit Breaker Failures 6/23/88 All holders of OLs Due to Loose Charging or cps for nuclear Spring Motor Founting Bolts power reactors.

88-41 Physical Protection 6/22/88 All holders of OLs Weaknesses Identified or cps for nuclear Through Regulatory Ef- power reactors.

fectiveness Reviews (RERsl 88-40 Examiners' Handbook for 6/22/88 All holders of OLs Developing Operator Licensing Examinations or cps for nuclear power reactors. .

88-39 LaSalle Unit 2 Loss of 6/15/8P All holders of OLs Recirculation Pumps With or cps for BWRs.

Power Oscillation Event 88-38 Failure of Undervoltage 6/15/88 All holders of OLs Trip Attachment on General or cps for nuclear Electric Circuit Breakers power reactors.

88-37 Flow Blockage of Cooling 6/14/88 All holders of OLs Water to Safety System or cps for nuclear Components power reactors.

88-3C Possible Sudden Loss of RCS 6/8/88 All holders of OLs Inventory During Low Coolant or cps for PWRs.

Level Operation OL = Operating License CP = Construction Permit l

_ ___