ML20213F966

Part 21 Rept Re Failure of Battery inter-rack Connecting Cable Assembly Supplied by Gnb Batteries,Inc.Initially Reported on 861107.Battery Cables Replaced

ML20213F966
Person / Time
Site:	Quad Cities
Issue date:	11/10/1986
From:	Johnson I COMMONWEALTH EDISON CO.
To:	James Keppler NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION III)
References
REF-PT21-86-363-000 PT21-86-363, PT21-86-363-000, NUDOCS 8611170264
Download: ML20213F966 (2)

Text

'

Ch Commonwealth Edison

' One First National Plaza. Chicago,12nois

'k% " 7 Address Reply tx Post Office Box 767 Chicago, minois 60690 - 0767 November 10, 1986 Mr. James G. Keppler Regional Administrator U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Region III 799 Roosevelt Road Glen Ellyn, Illinois 60137

Subject:

Quad Cities, Unit One 10CFR Part 21 Notification - Five Day Follow-Up Letter Defective 250 Volt Battery Inter Rack Cable Assembly NRC Docket No. 50-254

Dear Mr. Keppler:

This letter follows our conversation with Mr. Paul Pelke of your staff on Friday, November 7, during which a matter reportable under 10CFR Part 21 was addressed. The Part 21 concern brought to your attention was a matter involving a failure of a battery inter-rack connecting cable assembly supplied by the GNB Fort Smith, Ark plant. The Quad Cities 250 Volt DC power system operability was unaffected as the ncw cables were being readied in preparation for battery replacement.

The function of the battery inter-rack cable is to el'ectrically connect one battery cell tier to the next tier. This connection provides a portion of the flowpath for electrical current through the battery.

The construction of a typical battery inter-rack cable assembly consists of a four foot long 350 MCM insulated cable with crimped electrical connector lugs on each end. Connections between battery cell tiers typically utilize four inter-rack cable assemblies in parallel. A failure of an inter-cell cable assembly could degrade battery performance.

The specific defect in the new battery cable assembly was noticed while maintenance personnel were laying out the new parts in preparation for battery replacement. During this operation, a lug disengaged from the cable. The apparent cause of the failure was inadequate cable penetration into the lug, and is attributed to improper assembly at the manufacturing facility.

Initial action was to determine if the failure was an isolated case or generic in nature. The remaining eleven cable assemblies were radiographed. Although no exact acceptance criteria was established, it was determined by engineering judgement that three cable assemblies exhibited inadequate cable engagement, with one additional cable assembly being questionable. Subsequently, twelve new cable assemblies were shipped to Quad Cities Station from GNB, Fort Smith. Upon receipt, all twelve assemblies were radiographed and found acceptable.

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CECO. has recently installed a new 125 Volt GNB battery at Dresden Unit Two. This battery utilizes GNB supplied inter-rack cable assemblies. Prior to declaring this battery operational, all GNB supplied cables will be radiographed to verify proper cable engagement i into the lugs. This will additionally serve to better establish the generic nature of the failure. Results of this testing will be used to help determine the extent of testing to be performed on previously supplied GNB battery cable assemblies which are currently in service in CECO. plants. The exact number of GNB cable assemblies and the specific CECO. plant affected is presently being determined.

Commonwealth Edison has expressed concern to GNB over the Quad Cities' battery cable assembly lug failure. We have encouraged GNB to take the leadership role in the 10CFR Part 21 notification as we believe they are in a better position to explain the generic applicability to the nuclear industry.

f The manufacturers' address is:

General Office - GNB Incorporated

! 2010 Cabot Boulevard West Langhorne, PA 19047 i'

Manufacturing Facility - GNB i

Fort Smith, Ark.

Local Sales Office - GNB, Inc.

l l

c/o Janes Power Systems 910 Riverside Drive l Elmhurst, Illinois 60126 l

l Please refer all questions to Commonwealth Edison to this office.

Very truly yours, ,

PA, 40&J 4

f9 I. M. Johnson Nuclear Licensing Administrator MLR/cle/8527D

cc: Director Office of Inspection j

and Enforcement - 3 copies l NRC Resident Inspectors - Quad Cities Dresden l

l

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