ML20205N834

Part 21 Rept Re Automatic Switch Co Nuclear Grade Series X206380 & X206832 Solenoid Valves Ordered Without Lubricants That Were Shipped with Std Lubrication to PECO & Tva.Affected Plants Were Notified

ML20205N834
Person / Time
Site:	Browns Ferry, Limerick
Issue date:	04/01/1999
From:	AUTOMATIC SWITCH CO.
To:	NRC OFFICE OF INFORMATION RESOURCES MANAGEMENT (IRM)
References
REF-PT21-99 NUDOCS 9904190176
Download: ML20205N834 (8)

Text

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AutomaticSwitch Cu FLORHAM PARK, NEW JERSEY 07932 e NJ (201) 966-2000 / NY-(212) 3440765 F AX- (201) 966 2628 ass M April 1,1999 Documents Control Desk United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, DC 20555

Subject:

ASCO Nuclear Gr ' ": ries X206380 & X206832 Solenoid Valves Gentlemen:

Enclosed is the text of a letter sent to Philadelphia Electric Company and TVA regarding the subject valves.

Based on the results of an evaluation conducted by Automatic Switch Company (ASCO) in cooperation with Philadelphia Electric Company (Limerick Station), ASCO has concluded that there is a possibility some nuclear grade valves ordered "without lubricants" were supplied with our standard lubrication. This occurred as a result of the misinterpretation, by assembly personnel, of directions in the manufacturing procedure for this special construction. The manufacturing / assembly procedure has been modified to clarify the instructions, and ASCO Quality Assurance has incorporated additional inspection criteria to verify the lubricant free construction.

The non-conformance would affect only a limited number of specific ASCO valves manufactured before 1997.

Over the years, there have been isolated repons of these valves " sticking", or not shifling when de-energized. One or more of the utilities experiencing this problem attributed this

" sticking" to the lubricant used in these valves. However, ASCO has conducted extensive laboratory testing, and we were unable to duplicate the reported " sticking" We believe, rather, that system contamination caused these reported problems.

Several utilities remained unconvinced and asked us to produce a " lubricant free" version of several ofour nuclear grade solenoid valves. Although we didn't feel this was necessary, we agreed to accommodate the few utilities requesting "without lubricant" constructions.

Since this lubrication was used in the qualification of these valves, ASCO does not believe that the presence of our standard lubrication in valves ordered without lubricanton could potentially constitute a safety hazard or is repcitable under 10CFR part 21.

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1 Thousands of the qualified valves of this type with lubrication have been used in many nuclear plants for safety related applications over the last 20 years. No design or generic problems have been attributed to these qualified valves.

tioivever, as a courtesy, ASCO is notifying its customers, since there is a possibility that we did not comply with purchase order requirements, and we are providing you with a copy of our letter for your information.

Very truly yours, AUTOMATIC SWITCli COMPANY VALVE SERVICE DEPARTMENT l

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AutomaticSwitch Cc.

FLORHAM PARK, NEW JERSEY 07932 e NJ-(201) 966-2000 / NY.(212) 344-3765 FAX: (201) 966 2628 April 1,1999 Philadelphia Electric Co. (Peco)

Limerick Generating Station Documents Control Evergreen & Sanatoga Rds.

Limerick Township, PA 19468

Subject:

ASCO Nuclear Grade Series X206380 & X206832 Solenoid Valves Gentlemen, Based on the results of an evaluation conducted by Automatic Switch Company (ASCO) in cooperation with Philadelphia Electric Company (Limerick Station), ASCO has concluded that there is a possibility some nuclear grade valves ordered "without j

lubricant" vere supplied with standard lubrication. This occurred as a result of the misinterpretation of directions in the manufacturing procedure for this special {

j construction by assembly personnel. Tne manufacturing / assembly procedure has been {

modified to clarify the instructions. Additionally, ASCO Quality Assurance has l incorporated additional inspection criteria to verify the lubricant free construction.

The non-conformance would affect only a limited number of specific ASCO valves manufactured before 1997. Valve catalog numbers, ASCO order numbers and your purchase order numbers are shown on the attached list to identify each purchase.

l Since this lubrication was used in the qualification of these valves, ASCO does not believe that the presence of our standard lubrication in valves ordered without lubrication could potentially constitute a safety hazard or is reportable under 10CFR part 21. (

Thousands of the qualified valves of this type with lubrication have been used in many nuclear plants for safety related applications over the last 20 years. No design or gerHe problems have been attributed to these qualified valves.

l However, as a courtesy, ASCO is notifying our customers, since there is a possibility that we did not comply with purchase order requirements. A copy of this letter is being sent to the NRC for their information.

t

y. .

Although most of these special valves have been installed and are approaching the end of E.Q. life, ASCO will support the requests ofnuclear plants for the lubricant free construction.

1. If valves have not been installed, they can be retumed to ASCO for no charge replacement.

2. If valves are installed in critical applications where problems have occurred, contact ASCO to discuss replacement issues.

Your contact for questions or replacements is Ken Thomas, Sr. Service Engineer at 973-966-2265.

Very tmly yours, AUTOMATIC SWITCH COMPANY VALVE SERVICE DEPARTMENT

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. . 1 PHILADELPHIA ELECTRIC COMPANY ASCO NO. CUST. P.O. NO. CATALOG NO. QUANTITY 394818 PL204070 X206380-3RF,15385 5 PIL387007 325872 PL204070 X206380-3RF,15385 9 REL387004 467331-001 PL376113-008 X206380-3RF,15385 38 664993-001 PL376113 X206380-3RF,15385 4 REL387028 345398 PL204070 X206380-6RVF,15385 1 REL348006 673057-001 PL376113 X206832-6RVF,15385 2 REL348036 689380-001 PL376113 X206832-6RVF,15385 12 REL348041 327844 PL204070 X206832-6RVF,15385 4 REL348003 684274-001 PL376113 X206832-3RVU,15385 10 REL348041 673817-001 PL376113 X206832-3RVU,15385 1 REL348039 482432 PL204070 X206832-3RVU,15385 3 REL348013

AutomaticSwiich CD.

FloRHAM PARK, NEW JERSEY 07932 e to-(201) 966 2000 / NY-(212) 344-3765 FAX. (201)966-2628 spM April 1,1999 TVA Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant Documents Control c/o Browns Ferry Project Athens, AL 35611

Subject:

ASCO Nuclear Grade Series X206380 & X206832 Solenoid Valves Gentlemen, Based on the results of an evaluation conducted by Automatic Switch Company (ASCO) in cooperation with Philadelphia Electric Company (Limerick Station), ASCO has concluded that there is a possibility some nuclear grade valves ordered "without lubricant" were supplied with standard lubrication. This occurred as a result of the misinterpretation of directions in the manufacturing procedure for this special construction by assembly personnel. The manufacturing / assembly procedure has been modified to clarify the instructions. Additionally, ASCO Quality Assurance has incorporated additional inspection criteria to verify the lubricant free construction.

The non-conformance would affect only a limited number of specific ASCO valves manufactured before 1997. Valve catalog numbers, ASCO order nu.abers and your purchase order numbers are shown on the attached list to identify each purchase.

Since this lubrication was used in the qualification of these valves, ASCO does not believe that the presence ofour standard lubrication in valves ordered without lubrication could potentially constitute a safety hazard or is reportable under 10CFR part 21.

Thousands of the qualified valves of this type with lubrication have been used in many nuclear plants for safety related applications over the last 20 years. No design or generic problems have been attributed to these qualified valves.

However, as a courtesy, ASCO is notifying our customers, since there is a possibility that we did not comply with purchase order requirements. A copy of this letter is being sent to the NRC for their infornmtion.

Although most of these special valves have been installed and are approaching the end of

, E.Q. life, ASCO will support the requests of nuclear plants for the lubricant free construction.

1. If valves have not been installed, they can be returned to ASCO for no charge replacement.

2. If valves are installed in critical applications where problems have occuned, contact ASCO to discuss replacement issues. l l

l Your contact for questions or replacements is Ken Thomas, Sr. Service Engineer at j 973-966-2265. I Very truly yours, AUTOMATIC SWITCH COMPANY t

VALVE SERVICE DEPARTMENT .

/rd 1

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TVA (BROWNS FERRY)

ASCO NO. CUST. P.O. NO. CATALOG NO. OUANTITY 689325-001 92NMB44952C X206832-3RF,15385 26 RELRD369777 583188 P-96N2R-155186-000 X206832-3RF,15385 10 REL00000000 328793 P-92NMB44952C-000 X206802-3FF,15385 2 REL1026098 l

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