ML20211D649

Part 21 Rept Re Nonconformance within LCR-25 safety-related Lead Acid Battery Cells Manufactured by C&D.Analysis of Cells Completed.Analysis of Positive Grid Matl Shows Nonconforming Levels of Calcium within Positive Grid Alloy

ML20211D649
Person / Time
Site:	Cooper
Issue date:	08/25/1999
From:	Kinden T C&D CHARTER POWER SYSTEMS, INC. (FORMERLY C&D POWER
To:	NRC OFFICE OF INFORMATION RESOURCES MANAGEMENT (IRM)
References
REF-PT21-99 NUDOCS 9908270106
Download: ML20211D649 (2)

Text

I.

01 S Conshohocken. PA 19420 PaweeSoIo(nne Phone :(610) 826-2150 Fax: (610) 832-025:t

, i

! j l

I l

j 25 August 1999 l US Nuclear Regulatory Commission )

Washington, DC 20555-0001 Attn: Document Control Desk VIA FACSIMILE: 301-816-5151 Dear Sirs; This letter is to inform you of a nonconformance within LCR-25 safety related lead acid battery cells manufactured by C&D for Nebraska Public Power District's Cooper Nuclear facility. The cells were purchased by NPPD under PO 95-60 for 356 LCR-25 cells.

NPPD has reported to us that they have seen growth in the positive plates within the some cells and at least one cell was removed when a short developed. Since NPPD made the report, cells have been returned to C&D and analysis of the cells has been completed in conjunction with NPPD personnel. Analysis of the positive grid material shows nonconforming levels of calcium within the positive grid alloy.

All effected cells within our knowledge were manufactured within 5 work order numbers, and all cells for these work orders have been accounted for. To the best of our knowledge, no other utility has been effected by this nonconformance besides NPPD.

I The high calcium grid alloy will cause higher than expected growth within the positive grids over time. Eventually this will lead to loss of contact between the grid and the positive active ,  ;

l l I material of the plate and lead to reduced capacity, reduced voltage and shedding of material. The i

first sign of the defect is visible growth within the positive plate. After the growth is detected there will be gradual degradation capacity and voltage, eventually leading to shedding of material.' All indications are that the cells which have been evaluated will continue to supply the required load for the plant until they can be replaced during the next schedule outage.

A final evaluation will be delivered to the NRC and to effected utilities within 30 days.

Sincerely, c\

4,N Terry Kmden

• i Director Quality _ Assurance Cc: Tom Shudek-NPPD QA file: QA7887 i 9908270106 990825 ,

I PDR ADOCK 05000298 PDR j s

\

4 u  ;

08!W1999 U.S. Nuclear Reg:litory Commission Operations Center Event Report Pige 1 G:n:rtiinform tion or Oth:r (PAR) Ev:nt # 36073 i

Rep Org: CD TECHNOLOGIES Notification Date / Time: 08/25/1999 18:00 (EDT)

Sspplier> CD TECHNOLOGIES Event Date / Time: 08/25/1999 (EDT)

Last Modification: 08/25/1999 Region: 1 Docket #:

City: CONSHOHOCKEN Agreement State: No )

County: License #:

State: PA NRC Notified by: TERRY KINDEN Notifications: KATHLEEN MODES R1 HQ Ops Officer: FANGIE JONES PHIL HARRELL R4 Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY RICHARD WESSMAN NRR l 10 CFR Section: VERN HODGE (FAX) NRR l 21.21 UNSPECIFIED PARAGRAPH  !

i r

10CFR PART 21 REPORT DUE TO SAFETY RELATED LEAD ACID BATTERY CELL NONCONFORMANCE l 4

A nonconformance within LCR-25 safety related lead acid battery cells manufactured by C&D for Nebraska Public l Power District's (NPPD's) Cooper Nuclear facility has been discovered. The cells were purchased by NPPD and j thIy reported to C&D that they have seen growth in the positive plates within some cells and at least one cell was r; moved when a short developed. Analysis of the cells has been completed by C&D, in conjunction with NPPD i personnel, showing nonconforming levels of calcium within the positive grid alloy. l l

To the best of C&D's knowledge, no other utility has been effected by this nonconformance besides NPPD. l A final evaluation will be delivered to the NRC and to effected utilities within 30 days.  !

l l

!