ML20248L896

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PNO-78-047:on 780315,bendix Electrical Connectors Failed Environ Tests Despite Less Severe Accelerated Aging Program Previously Used.Corrective Action Under Review.Licensee & NRC Considering News Releases.State of AL Has Been Informed
ML20248L896
Person / Time
Site: Browns Ferry Tennessee Valley Authority icon.png
Issue date: 03/16/1978
From: Klingler G, Nolan F, Sniezek J
NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION II)
To:
References
PNO-78-047, PNO-78-47, NUDOCS 9806120042
Download: ML20248L896 (1)


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"1 c' ;4j w PRELIMINARY NOTIFICATION h H March 16, 1978 PRELIMINARY NOTIFICATION OF EVENT OR UNUSUAL OCCURRENCE -- PNO _This preliminary notification constitutes EARLY notice of an event '

i of POSSIBLE safety or public interest significance. The information l

presented is as initially received without verification or evaluation l and is basically all that is known by IE staff as of this date.

FACILITY: Tennessee Valley Authority l

Browns Ferry, Unit No. 3 Docket No. 50-296 Decatur, Alabama

SUBJECT:

ELECTRICAL CONNECTORS FAIL ENVIRONMENTAL TESTS ~

This supplements PN-78-13 dated February 14, 1978.

On March 15, 1978, the licensee reported that certain Bendix electrical connectors used in the Unit No. 3 containment failed environmental (Post LOCA) tests at Wyle Laboratori despite a less severe accelerated aging program than that used previously. Although the tests are still in .

RBE progress, four of the ten connectors in the test sample have failed.

=.

The first series of connectors under, test were thought to have failed as g

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a result of severe accelerated aging temperatures which " cooked" the 7/

(~ ~ ] connector neoprene seals beyond their resiliency limits. NRC and the n

l licensee are evaluating the test results and determining appropriate corrective action. A meeting on the matter is scheduled with the licensee i in Bethesda on March 16, 1978. Units 1 and 2 utilize connectors, .  ?@g supplied by a different manufacturer, which passed the environmental '! -

tests. Unit 3 was operatino at full power. M 1:00 a.m. on March 16, 1978. The unit was shutdnwn at Corrective action is under review.

Media interest is expected. Both the licensee and NRC are considering News Releases. The State of Alabama has been informed.

NRC, Region II (Atlanta) received notification from the Plant Superintendent This supplemental information is current as of 8:30 a.m. on March 16, 1978.

Contact:

GKlingler, IE x28019 FNolan, IE x28019 JSniezek, IE x28019 Distribution: Transmitted H St /[l M Chainnan Hendrie I Commissioner Brc.dford ' '

Commissioner Kennedy S. J. Chilk, SECY C. C. Kammerer, CA Commissioner Gilinsky (For Distribution) l Transmitted: MNBBl0.'35 P Bldg 10:3 T E. Volgenau IE l

L. V. Gossick, EDO

! S. H. Hanauer, EDO E. G. Case, NRR Region I, /O'.6

, J. J. Fouchard, PA ] 3 SS Bldg /0: W (MAIL)

R. Hartfield, MIPC , -

C. V. Smith, NMSS T. J. McTiernan, 01A )

R. G. Ryan, OSP i R. Minogue, SD

~

H. K. Shapar. ELD GMM ] 's

_$6 _ _ RY NOTIFICATION