ML20206D190
| ML20206D190 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 03/31/1987 |
| From: | Baker E, Naidu K NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE) |
| To: | |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20206C997 | List: |
| References | |
| REF-PT21-87, REF-QA-99901088 99901088-87-01, 99901088-87-1, NUDOCS 8704130268 | |
| Download: ML20206D190 (4) | |
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ORGANIZATION: VALIDYNE ENGINEERING CORPORATION NORTHRIDGE, CALIFORNIA REPORT INSPECTION INSPECTION NO.: 99901088/87-01 DATES: 01/21/87 ON-SITE HOURS: 3 CORRESPONDENCE ADDRESS: Validyne Engineering Corporation ATTN: Mr. P. Beyernheimer Manager, Applications Engineering 8626 Wilbur Avenue 3
Northridge, California 91324-4498 ORGANIZATIONAL CONTACT: L. Kamerman TELEPHONE NUMBER: 818-886-2057 NUCLEAR INDUSTRY ACTIVITY: Manufactures transducers to measure differential, gage and absolute pressure. Also manufactures high speed data acquisition systems to provide information to operate alternate shutdown panels.
ASSIGNED INSPECTOR: / 4& 3[Th K. Maidu, Reactive Inspection Section (RIS) Date OTHERINSPECTOR(S):
APPROVED BY: u / / b)
E. Baker, Acting Chief, RIS, Vendor Progran Branch Date INSPECTION BASES AND SCOPE:
A. BASES: 10 CFR Part 21 and Appendix B to 10 CFR 50.
B. SCOPE: Evaluate corrective action taken relative to a 10 CFR Part 21 report dated September 17, 1986 to the NRC regarding a potential problem in pressure transducers.
PLANT SITE APPLICABILITY: Multiple plants.
0704130268 e70406 PDR OA999 EECVALID 99901000 pop l
ORGANIZATION: VALIDYNE ENGINEERING CORPORATION NORTHRIDGE, CALIFORNIA REPORT INSPECTION Mn
- 000ninpn/97.01 RF9til TS - PAGF 7 nf 4 A. VIOLATIONS:
No violations were identified during this inspection.
B. NONCONFORMANCES:
No nonconformances were identified during this inspection. -
C. UNRESOLVED ITEMS:
No unresolved items were identified during this inspection.
D. FINDINGS AND OTHER COMMENTS:
- 1. Background Information Validyne Engineering Corporation (Validyne) manufactures pressure transducers to measure differential, gage, and absolute pressure.
The pressure transducers were supplied as commercial grade components to contractors who install Heating, Venti 11atino and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems in nuclear power plants (NPP).
Selected HVAC systems in NPPs are safety related. The Architect i Engineer or the HVAC installer is required to cualify the transducer to ensure that it is suitable for the application. Validyne also manufactures high , speed data acquisition systems consisting of remote multiplexers, associated signal conditioning, and digital :
data processing equipment which are used to provide information to l operate the alternate shutdown panels in NPPS. The data acquisition systems have been qualified to the requirements of IEEE-323-1974, IEEE-344-1974 and IEEE-384-1974 in 1983. Validyne's OA manual conforms to MIL-0-9858A.
- 2. Functional Description of Transducers l Validyne manufactures variable reluctance pressure transducers. The '
pressure senso consists of a diaphram of magnetically permeable material, supported between two symmetrical E-core assemblies, and a magnetic circuit is completed with each E-core, k' hen the sensed j pressure increases on one side, the diaphram deflects and increases the gap in the magnetic flux path of that E-core and decreases the gap I equally in the other. The magnetic reluctance varies with air gap, l changing the induction ratio. The inductance ratio is measured in an i AC bridge circuit in which an output voltage proportional to the pressure is obtained. The output is fed into a integrated circuit miniature carrier demodulator to produce a de signal.
ORGANIZATION: VALIDYNE ENGINEERING CORPORATION NORTHRIDGE, CALIFORNIA l
l REPORT INSPECTION nn . noon 10RR/R7-01 RESULTS: PAGE 3 of a l
- 3. Review of 10 CFR Part 21 Report Validyne informed the NRC, in a letter dated September 17, 1986, that there was a potential safety hazard in four types of pressure transducr.rs (P361, P372, P24A and AP10A), which were supplied to HVAC contractors. These pressure transducers are each equipped with two electrical coils, one in each half of the E-core assembly. Two electrical leads, to each of the two coils, which are brought external to the E-core assemblies, broke, during temperature endurance tests performed at the factory, when the units were being cycled between -20*F and +190 F. There was no reported failure from a NPP. Validyne informed four contractors who purchased these types of transducers for installation in NPPS of to this problem.
- 4. Review of Corrective Action During inhouse tenperature endurance testing of coil assemblies Validyne determined that the coil leads broke in some subas 'r511es.
Validyne stated that they experienced this problem afte= a change in the vendors. Connie Ragsdale, Tujunga, California, originally supplied the coils. However, due to problems experienced in delivery schedules, Validyne changed the supplier and obtained coils from Jackson Engineering and Dia-Netics, both located in California.
To prevent future recurrence, Validyne imposed tighter design and manufacturing specifications on these two vendors. Tests are being run on a continuing basis to determine the reliability of the coils and their leads.
- 5. Tour of the Facility The inspector, accorpanied by the manufacturing engineer, conducted I a plant tour and observed the following:
- a. Coil assembly on the E-core.
- b. Matching the inductance of two E-core halves,
- c. Testing of transducers.
- d. Receipt inspection.
The inspector determined that established procedures were being followed and that the calibrations of measuring instruments were current. The inspector reviewed the calibration data of one neasuring instrument and aetermined that the calibration certificate was acceptable. !
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ORGANIZATION: VALIDYNE ENGINEERING CORPORATION NORTHRIDGE, CALIFORNIA l l
REPORT INSPECTION Mn - 000010AA/A7 01 PESULTS: PAGE 4 of 4 E. EXIT INTERVIEW:
The inspector met with Validjne representatives rentioned in Section F at the conclusion of the inspection and discussed the scope of the inspection and findings.
F. PERSONS CONTACTED:
G. Merritt, Vice President R. Block, Manager, Electronics Engineering
- P. Beyernheim, Manager, Applications Engineering
- L. Kamerman, Manager, Quality Control R. Forsythe, Manufacturing Engineer
- Denotes individuals present at the exit interview.
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