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 Start dateReporting criterionEvent description
05000287/LER-2017-00124 July 2017
20 September 2017
10 CFR 50.73(a)(2)(iv)(A), System Actuation

On 7/24/17, with Oconee Nuclear Station (ONS) Unit 3 operating at 100 percent power, Transmission Department Relay personnel were in the ONS 525kV Switchyard Relay House performing preventive maintenance on a Breaker Failure Relaying device for Power Circuit Breaker PCB-57. This is a non- safety PCB that isolates a commercial transmission line from the commercial bus in the 525kV switchyard.

The maintenance was intended to actuate the protective relaying for PCB-57. The crew inadvertently connected test equipment to the adjacent relaying for PCB-58. The activation of the PCB-58 relay resulted in a Unit 3 separation from the electrical grid and a generator "Lockout." The lockout generates a turbine trip which in turn trips the reactor via the Reactor Protection System (RPS). This actuation of the RPS is reportable per 10 CFR 50.73(a)(2)(iv)(A).

Post trip plant response was normal and plant conditions were controlled and maintained within the allowances of Technical Specifications with no personnel injuries or safety system actuations.

A cause analysis attributed the cause of this event to human error in that test equipment was inadvertently connected to relaying for the incorrect PCB. The cause analysis corrective actions will address the likelihood of comparable human errors from occurring.

05000287/LER-2016-00126 August 201610 CFR 50.73(a)(2)(i)(B), Prohibited by Technical Specifications

On June 28, 2016, the 3C Reactor Building Cooling Unit (RBCU) was discovered to be running in reverse when operating in the low speed mode and Technical Specification (TS) 3.6.5, Condition B, was entered (only low speed is applicable to TS operability). The RBCU was restored to operable on June 29, 2016. It was determined that the inoperability was caused by a wiring error (rolled leads) that occurred during the preceding outage. This provides firm evidence that the RBCU was inoperable from the time Mode 2 was entered (May 15, 2016) until RBCU operability was restored on June 29, 2016. This duration exceeds the 7.5 day cumulative Completion Time allowed by TS 3.6.5. During start-up from the outage, the plant entered Modes 2 and 1 with the RBCU inoperable, which is prohibited by TS 3.0.4. These conditions constitute plant operation prohibited by Technical Specifications and are reportable as an LER per 10 CFR 50.73(a)(2)(i)(B).

The cause was determined to be personnel error by the technicians' improper application of the configuration control process. The technicians received remedial training and a procedure change was initiated to enhance configuration control aspects in the maintenance procedure.

The safety function associated with TS 3.6.5 was available during the inoperability of the 3C RBCU.

05000287/LER-2015-001, Manual Reactor Trip Due to Unacceptable Main Feedwater Flow Control Valve Oscillations31 January 201510 CFR 50.73(a)(2)(iv)(A), System Actuation
05000287/LER-2015-00131 January 201510 CFR 50.73(a)(2)(iv)(A), System Actuation

On January 31, 2015, Oconee Unit 3 was operating at 100% power in MODE 1 when Control Room operators observed that Main Feedwater flow indicators were oscillating outside of normal parameters. The Control Room supervisor made the decision to manually trip Unit 3 at 1431 hours due to erratic feedwater operation and increasing RCS pressure. A subsequent investigation determined the feedwater flow oscillations were caused by a subcomponent failure of the electrical to pneumatic converter (E/P), 3FDW EP 0007, to properly control feedwater flow for Main Feedwater Control Valve (MFCV) 3FDW-32.

This event was reported as a 4-hour notification to the NRC on January 31, 2015, in Event Notification (EN) number 50781 under 10 CFR 50.72(b)(2)(iv)(B) - Reactor Protection System (RPS) Actuation - Critical. The event is reportable under 10 CFR 50.73(a)(2)(iv)(A) as an actuation of the RPS.

05000287/LER-2013-00124 October 201310 CFR 50.73(a)(2)(iv)(A), System Actuation

This revision provides supplemental information, including a revised cause, discovered during the cause evaluation for a similar Unit 3 manual reactor trip on January 31, 2015.

On October 24, 2013, Oconee Unit 3 was at 100% power when Operators observed abnormal Main Feedwater flow oscillations. Manual control was unsuccessful in stabilizing the oscillations. The Control Room supervisor directed a manual trip at 0553 hours. Four main steam relief valves (MSRV) did not fully reseat. Post-trip procedures were used to reseat the MSRVs. All other post trip conditions were normal. The 2013 cause evaluation identified a failure of a bushing seal (o-ring) in the actuator for Main Feedwater Control Valve (MFCV) 3FDW-32 as the cause of the flow oscillations. The 2015 cause evaluation revealed the cause of the 3FDW-32 control problem was a latent defect which produced an intermittent fault in the voltage to pneumatic (E/P) converter. While the o-ring failure was a plausible cause in 2013, given new information from the 2015 event, the faulted E/P converter was determined to be the cause of the 2013 event. The E/P converter was tested in 2013, but due to the intermittent nature of the fault the E/P was refuted after satisfactory testing of 3FDW-32 controls.

This event is reportable under 10 CFR 50.73(a)(2)(iv)(A) as a manual actuation of the Reactor Protection System (RPS).

I

  • 1. FACILITY NAME 1 2. DOCKET I 05000287
05000287/LER-2009-00112 December 2008

On December 12,T 2008 two containment isolation valves in a Post Accident Liquid Sampling line in Unit 3 were declared inoperable.T Technical Specification Limiting Condition for OperationT (LCO)T 3.6.3 Conditions A and B were entered immediately and power was removed from two normally-closed solenoid-operated valves in the same line to meet the required actions of the LCO.T However,T the unit has been operated since the valves were installed in 1996 until discovery of the inoperable. condition.'T Consequently,T the appropriate Technical Specification required actions were not met within the allowed outage time permitted, and the unit was operated in a condition prohibited by Technical Specifications.

The inoperable condition was caused by the use of soft seat materials which are not qualified for the elevated pressure and temperatures they could be exposed to in post-accident sampling service.T The planned corrective action is to replace the soft-seated valves with a hard-seated design.

This event is considered to have no significance with respect to the health . and safety of the public.

05000287/LER-2004-00110 CFR 50.73(a)(2)(iv)(A), System Actuation

At 11:50:56 on 02-26-2004 Oconee Unit 3 reactor tripped on high Reactor Coolant System pressure approximately three minutes after an Electro-Hydraulic Control (EHC) pump was returned to service following routine maintenance. Post-trip response was normal.

Investigation found that a small piece of foreign material, specifically a piece of clear plastic packaging material, inadvertently entered the system during replacement of a discharge filter. The material clogged the hydraulic fluid entry port of a turbine stop valve, causing all four stop valves to close.

The root cause was determined to be inattention to detail by two Maintenance technicians performing the task. The material was found and removed.

This event is considered to have no significance with respect to the health and safety of the public.

05000287/LER-2003-00110 CFR 50.73(a)(2)(i)(B), Prohibited by Technical Specifications
10 CFR 50.73(a)(2)(ii)(A), Seriously Degraded

Unit 3 entered its scheduled end-of-cycle 20 refueling outage on April 26, 2003. On May 2, 2003, a .

visual inspection of the bare reactor vessel head (RVH) was performed. Results of the visual inspection revealed two (2) control rod drive (CRD) mechanism (CRDM) nozzles that were suspected of leakage.

Of these, CRDM No. 4 was observed to contain a very thin white coating on the nozzle and CRDM No. 7 appeared to have a small accumulation of boron on the head adjacent to the annulus region. In addition, approximately 6 to 8 CRDMs could not be visually inspected as they were masked by deposits from a Component Cooling (CC) system leak above the RV head.

Subsequent evaluation of the prior refueling outage RVH inspection videotape showed that the CRDM No. 7 deposits were not associated with a new leak but rather were remnants from a prior refueling outage leak and repair campaign where the boron residue had not been completely removed from the RVH during the wash down process. The CRDM No. 4 boron deposit appeared fresher, exhibited characteristics similar to prior RVH leaks and as such, was conservatively identified as a leak. The apparent root cause of the nozzle leak is primary water stress corrosion cracking.

This RVH will be retired from service and replaced with a new RVH prior to unit restart. For this event, the overall safety significance of this event was minimal and there was no actual impact on the health and safety of the public.

05000287/LER-1983-005, Forwards LER 83-005/01T-0.Detailed Event Analysis Encl13 April 1983
05000287/LER-1983-002, Forwards LER 83-002/01T-0.Detailed Event Analysis Encl25 March 1983
05000287/LER-1983-001, Forwards LER 83-001/01T-0.Detailed Event Analysis Encl9 March 1983
05000287/LER-1982-015, Forwards LER 82-015/01T-0.Detailed Event Analysis Encl30 December 1982
05000287/LER-1982-014, Forwards LER 82-014/01T-0.Detailed Event Analysis Encl5 January 1983
05000287/LER-1982-012, Forwards LER 82-012/01T-0.Detailed Event Analysis Encl1 December 1982
05000287/LER-1982-010, Forwards LER 82-010/01T-0.Detailed Event Analysis Encl18 October 1982
05000287/LER-1982-008, Forwards LER 82-008/01T-0.Detailed Event Analysis Encl2 July 1982
05000287/LER-1982-007, Forwards LER 82-007/01T-0.Detailed Event Analysis Encl23 July 1982
05000287/LER-1982-006, Forwards Updated LER 82-006/01X-2.Detailed Event Analysis Encl27 August 1982
05000287/LER-1981-005, Forwards LER 81-005/03L-0.Detailed Event Analysis Encl22 April 1981
05000270/LER-1986-003, Advises That LER 86-003-00 Submittal Delayed Until 8608042 July 1986
05000270/LER-1985-004, Informs That LER 85-04 Expected by 85053121 May 1985
05000270/LER-1983-006, Forwards LER 83-006/03L-0.Detailed Event Analysis Encl29 April 1983
05000270/LER-1983-004, Forwards LER 83-004/01T-0.Detailed Event Analysis Encl23 March 1983
05000270/LER-1982-013, Forwards LER 82-013/03L-0.Detailed Event Analysis Encl4 November 1982
05000270/LER-1982-012, Forwards LER 82-012/03L-0.Detailed Event Analysis Encl15 October 1982
05000270/LER-1982-010, Forwards LER 82-010/01T-0.Detailed Event Analysis Encl13 August 1982
05000270/LER-1982-009, Forwards LER 82-009/03L-0.Detailed Event Analysis Encl30 July 1982
05000270/LER-1981-019, Forwards LER 81-019/01T-0.Detailed Event Analysis Encl8 December 1981
05000270/LER-1979-009, Forwards LER 79-009/01T-021 December 1979
05000269/LER-2016-0016 March 2016
5 May 2016
10 CFR 50.73(a)(2)(iv)(A), System Actuation

At 1512 on March 6, 2016, Oconee Nuclear Station (ONS) Unit 1 experienced a Reactor Trip, initiated by an electrical bushing failure on the Unit 1 Main Step-up Transformer that resulted in a transformer fire. The plant response to the trip was evaluated, and was found to be acceptable. The reactor trip is a RPS actuation and requires an LER per 10 CFR 50.73(a)(2)(iv)(A).

Due to the transformer fire a "Notification Of Unusual Event" was declared at 1520. The fire eventually led to a transformer overhead line failure that caused a switchyard bus lockout and the loss of one emergency power path for the site. The second emergency power path and multiple offsite sources remained operable during the event. The emergency classification was upgraded to an "Alert" condition at 1658, upon determining that the fire had an impact on safety related equipment.

The 4-hour notification related to this reactor trip was bounded by the notifications made for the Emergency Classifications described above (See Event Notification 51770).

Post trip conditions and Emergency event conditions were controlled and maintained within the allowances of Technical Specifications with no personnel injuries or challenges to other safety system actuations. The transformer deluge system activation along with the response of onsite and offsite fire teams promptly contained the fire.

05000269/LER-2014-00225 November 201410 CFR 50.73(a)(2)(ii)(B), Unanalyzed Condition

On November 25, 2014, Duke Energy Carolinas, LLC (Duke Energy) reviewed AREVA 10 CFR 50.46 Notification Letter FAB 14-00631, which indicated a deficiency had been discovered in the uranium thermal conductivity models used in the Oconee Nuclear Station (ONS) Loss of Coolant Accident (LOCA) analysis of record. When the model deficiency was corrected, the ONS Large Break LOCA Peak Cladding Temperature (PCT) exceeded 2200 degrees F. The Oconee licensing basis PCT is evaluated for compliance with the criterion in 10 CFR 50.46(b)(1) and must not exceed a PCT of 2200 degrees F. This issue was reported to the NRC as an 8-hour non-emergency notification on November 25, 2014 (NRC Event Notification EN 50640). On December 17, 2014, Duke Energy submitted a Special Report as required by 10 CFR 50.46 (ML14353A214).

Once notified, Duke Energy implemented administrative restrictions to ensure that the Oconee Units would not violate the reduced linear heat rate (LHR) limits specified by AREVA.

There are no new regulatory commitments contained within this Licensee Event Report.

05000269/LER-2014-00128 March 201410 CFR 50.73(a)(2)(ii)(B), Unanalyzed Condition

For the 13.8kV Keowee Hydroelectric Station (KHS) power cables contained in the underground trench to both transformer CT-4 and to the Protected Service Water (PSW) system, single failure analysis considered a three-phase bolted fault at the end connections and a phase-to-ground fault as bounding conditions. This single failure analysis was questioned in a recent NRC inspection as not being bounding. Duke Energy evaluated the issue and concludes the cables to be operable but nonconforming with the current licensing basis due to a lack of documentation. Additional cable analysis and/or testing is needed. The results of planned power cable analysis and/or testing will provide the necessary information needed to update the licensing basis documentation. This condition is conservatively being reported in accordance with 10 CFR 50.73(a)(2)(ii)(B) as an event or condition that resulted in the nuclear power plant being in an unanalyzed condition that significantly degraded plant safety.

The preliminary apparent cause of this event is a missed opportunity to update the licensing basis in 2002 when the underground trench and cables were modified, and again in 2013, when the PSW system 13.8kV power cables and control cables were placed in service. Duke will complete the causal evaluation and as necessary, supplemented the report following the conclusion of that evaluation. Duke Energy used a risk-informed approach to determine the risk significance associated with the condition. The analysis results concluded that the postulated single failure of the Keowee emergency power supply represents an insignificant impact to plant risk.

05000269/LER-2013-00410 CFR 50.73(a)(2)(i)(B), Prohibited by Technical Specifications
10 CFR 50.73(a)(2)(ii)(A), Seriously Degraded
10 CFR 50.73(a)(2)(i)(A), Completion of TS Shutdown

On November 8, 2013, the Oconee Unit 1 Control Room received an alarm associated with the containment atmosphere particulate radiation monitor. Reactor Coolant System (RCS) leakage of system pressure boundary leakage on the 1B2 High Pressure Injection (HPI) Injection line, Oconee Unit 1 was shut down as required by Technical Specifications. The shutdown was orderly and without complication. The cause evaluation determined that mechanical, high-cycle fatigue resulted in a through wall crack in the stainless steel butt weld between the HPI nozzle safe end and HPI piping. Ownership and oversight of the augmented examination program was inadequate, as was guidance to the examiners for actions to be taken when full weld volume coverage could not be achieved.

This event is reportable under 10 CFR 50.73(a)(2)(i)(A), as completion of a shutdown required by Technical Specifications, 10 CFR 50.73(a)(2)(i)(B), operation or condition prohibited by Technical Specifications, and 10 CFR 50.73(a)(2)(ii)(A), degradation of a principal safety barrier. High pressure injection capability was maintained, and containment integrity was not impacted. This report has been revised to reflect the results of the completed root cause evaluation.

05000269/LER-2013-00310 CFR 50.73(a)(2)(i)(B), Prohibited by Technical Specifications

On September 4, 2013, the Keowee Hydroelectric Station Unit 2 (KHU-2) experienced an emergency lockout that rendered it inoperable. The Keowee Hydroelectric Station is one of Oconee Nuclear Station's (ONS) emergency power sources. Following troubleshooting activities it was determined that from August 17, 2013 until September 4, 2013, KHU-2 had previously been susceptible to this type of emergency lockout resulting in a condition that exceeded the allowed outage time given in the plant's technical specifications.

An investigation of the event determined that the cause of the event was vibration from a Governor Oil pump that caused relay 86E2X to "chatter." The chatter generated a spurious signal that activated the emergency lockout relay.

A completed corrective action included the replacement of relay 86E2X and relocating it to an environment not susceptible to vibration.

This event is reportable under 10 CFR 50.73(a)(2)(i)(B) as an operation or condition prohibited by the plant's technical specifications. This event is considered to have minimal safety significance and no consequences with respect to the health and safety of the public.

05000269/LER-2013-00226 June 201310 CFR 50.73(a)(2)(v), Loss of Safety Function
05000269/LER-2013-0016 February 201310 CFR 50.73(a)(2)(ii)(B), Unanalyzed Condition
10 CFR 50.73(a)(2)(v), Loss of Safety Function
10 CFR 50.73(a)(2)(vii), Common Cause Inoperability
10 CFR 50.73(a)(2)(i)(B), Prohibited by Technical Specifications

On 2/6/2013, with all three Oconee Units at 100 percent power, Oconee Nuclear Station (ONS) personnel concluded that emergency power equipment could be adversely impacted by a licensee identified original design issue involving inadequate analysis of electrical equipment heat loads and weaknesses in the Heating Ventilation & Air Conditioning (HVAC) system design.

The investigation determined that the principle causes were associated with inadequate and incomplete inputs and methods in development of HVAC systems during original plant design and Blockhouse, and the 230kV Switchyard Relay House susceptible to single failures.

Compensatory measures were put into place. Corrective actions include modifications to resolve the inadequacies with the original plant design issues.

This event is reportable under the following criteria: Operations Prohibited by Technical Specifications, Unanalyzed Condition, Event that could have prevented Fulfillment of a Safety Function, and Common Cause.

05000269/LER-2003-001

On June 4, 2003, with Oconee Units 1 and 2 operating in Mode 1 at 100% Rated Power and Unit 3 in Mode 5 (start-up after refueling), an engineering evaluation identified a cable routed contrary to 10CFR 50, Appendix R separation criteria. Consequently, a low probability hot short due to a hypothetical fire could spuriously operate any one of six (6) valves in each Unit. 1 Depending on the location of the design basis fire, one, two, or all three Oconee Units could be affected. This was considered a previously unanalyzed condition.

A fire watch patrol has been established on a once per 6 hour frequency and will remain in place until appropriate permanent corrective actions are in place to mitigate this condition.

The apparent cause of this event is an unanalyzed condition resulting from a historic design deficiency. 1 Engineering risk assessment concludes that the likelihood of the actual spurious actuation of these valves is low. 1 This event is considered to have minimal safety significance with respect to the health and safety of the public.

05000269/LER-2002-00510 CFR 50.73(a)(2)(i)(B), Prohibited by Technical Specifications

On 11-28-97, during a Unit 1 refueling outage, 1MS-156, - "lB MS Line Atmospheric Vent Block Valve" was replaced with a flexible wedge gate valve design. - On 7-8-02, as part of a project to review manual valves for pressure locking (PL) vulnerability, Engineering identified that 1MS-156, was potentially susceptible to PL. - Valves in this application on other trains/units are solid wedge design. - On 7-10-02 a vent line was installed on the valve bonnet, ending the potential for PL.

At 1600 hours on 7-18-02, with Unit 1 operating in Mode 1 at 100 per cent, 1MS-156 was determined to have been inoperable from 11-28-97 until 7-10-02 due to the potential for PL to prevent opening during postulated events. - At 1843 hours on 7-18-02, an 8-hour Non-Emergency Notification was made to the NRC under 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(v).

The root cause of this event is deficient design, due to an unanticipated system interaction, which resulted from a lack of awareness of pressure locking as a concern for manual valves. - This event is considered to have no significance with respect to the health and safety of the public.

05000269/LER-2002-00210 CFR 50.73(a)(2)(i)(B), Prohibited by Technical Specifications

On March 22, 2002, with all three Oconee units operating in Mode 1 at 100% Rated Power, an engineering evaluation identified the potential for an adverse valve actuation during a design basis fire. T This valve actuation involves the inadvertent opening of either of two valves in the low pressure injection (LPI) system due to an assumed failure in the valve control circuitry. T The opening of either valve would cause the Borated Water Storage Tank (BWST) to empty its contents to the Reactor Building Emergency Sump. T The water from the BWST would flood the Reactor Coolant Make-Up (RCMU) Pump resulting in its failure. T The RCMU pump supplies reactor coolant pump seal and make-up flow during some design basis fire scenarios.

Roving fire watches have been implemented as compensatory measures in the area of the affected cables. T These fire watches are required while the unit is in Modes 1, 2, or 3 and will remain in place until modifications are implemented to mitigate this condition.

The apparent cause of this condition is a historic design deficiency. A An engineering risk assessment concludes that the likelihood of the actual spurious actuation of these valves is extremely low. A This event is considered to have minimal safety significance with respect to the health and safety of the public.

05000269/LER-2002-00110 CFR 50.73(a)(2)(v), Loss of Safety Function

On 03/07/2002 Site Engineering concluded that ambient heat losses from the Pressurizer (PZR) on all three Oconee units exceeded the capacity of PZR heaters powered from the Standby Shutdown Facility (SSF). 9 Therefore, the ability to maintain a steam bubble in the PZR for system pressure control during SSF events (Fire, Flood, and Security) might be lost and the existing procedural guidance would not fully address some expected conditions. 9 Normal system operation or other emergency scenarios were not affected because additional PZR heaters are available in those conditions.

PZR heaters support operability of the SSF Auxiliary Service Water System (SSF ASW). 9 Per Technical Specification 3.10.1, the SSF ASW was declared inoperable for all three Oconee units. 9 Abnormal Procedures were subsequently revised to provide adequate guidance and all on-coming Operators received simulator training on the new guidance prior to accepting shift duties.

Additional corrective actions are planned.

The apparent cause was a fundamental lack of appreciation for the potential impact of PZR insulation deficiencies. 9 This event is considered to have no significance with respect to the health and safety of the public.

05000269/LER-1998-013, Forwards LER 98-013-00 Re Condition Prohibited by Ts,Per 10CFR50.73(a)(1)(d).Circumstances & Causes for Event Have Not Been Fully Determined & Will Be Provided in Supplemental LER on or Before 9812022 November 1998
05000269/LER-1998-012, Forwards LER 98-012-01,re RB Spray Pumps Being Declared Inoperable Due to Npsh.Rept Has Been Revised to Indicate Results of Testing & Corrective Actions Taken to Date3 December 1998
05000269/LER-1998-002, Forwards LER 98-002-01 Re non-isolable Weld Leak on Pressurizer Surge Line Drain Pipe Which Resulted in Unit Shutdown30 April 1998
05000269/LER-1997-003, Forwards LER 97-003-01 Re post-LOCA Boron Dilution Design Basis Not Being Met.Rept Includes Updated Info & Revised Corrective Action12 November 1997
05000269/LER-1996-008, Forwards Suppl to LER 96-008 Concerning Missed Valve Surveillance Which Resulted in Borated Water Storage Tank Technical Inoperability31 October 1996
05000269/LER-1987-008, Advises That LER-87-008 Re Breach of Containment Integrity Resulting in Tech Spec Violation Due by 871111 Will Be Submitted by 871125.Rept in Preparation11 November 1987
05000269/LER-1987-002, Informs That LER 87-002 Re App R Review Concerning Valve Operability Will Be Submitted by 870316.LER Due on 8703022 March 1987
05000269/LER-1986-012, Notifies That LER 86-012 Re Inoperability of Standby Shutdown Facility Due to Be Submitted by 861114 Will Be Provided by 87012014 November 1986
05000269/LER-1986-011, Advises That LER 86-011 Re Loss of Condenser Cooling Water Gravity Flow Will Be Submitted by 8612015 November 1986
05000269/LER-1984-007, Advises of Reliability of Auxiliary Oil Pumps Per LER 84-007-00.No Insp of Unit 2 Pump During Outage Warranted. Util Deleting Commitment30 April 1985