Information Notice 1992-03, Remote Trip Function Failures in General Electric F-Frame Molded-Case Circuit Breakers

Remote Trip Function Failures in General Electric F-Frame Molded-Case Circuit Breakers

ML031200762
Person / Time
Site:	Beaver Valley, Millstone, Hatch, Monticello, Calvert Cliffs, Dresden, Davis Besse, Peach Bottom, Browns Ferry, Salem, Oconee, Mcguire, Nine Mile Point, Palisades, Palo Verde, Perry, Indian Point, Fermi, Kewaunee, Catawba, Harris, Wolf Creek, Saint Lucie, Point Beach, Oyster Creek, Watts Bar, Hope Creek, Grand Gulf, Cooper, Sequoyah, Byron, Pilgrim, Arkansas Nuclear, Three Mile Island, Braidwood, Susquehanna, Summer, Prairie Island, Columbia, Seabrook, Brunswick, Surry, Limerick, North Anna, Turkey Point, River Bend, Vermont Yankee, Crystal River, Haddam Neck, Ginna, Diablo Canyon, Callaway, Vogtle, Waterford, Duane Arnold, Farley, Robinson, Clinton, South Texas, San Onofre, Cook, Comanche Peak, Yankee Rowe, Maine Yankee, Quad Cities, Humboldt Bay, La Crosse, Big Rock Point, Rancho Seco, Zion, Midland, Bellefonte, Fort Calhoun, FitzPatrick, McGuire, LaSalle, Fort Saint Vrain, Shoreham, Satsop, Trojan, Atlantic Nuclear Power Plant
Issue date:	01/06/1992
From:	Rossi C Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
To:
References
IN-92-003, NUDOCS 9112300071
Download: ML031200762 (10)

UNITED STATES

NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

OFFICE OF NUCLEAR REACTOR REGULATION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20555 January 6, 1992 NRC INFORMATION NOTICE 92-03: REMOTE TRIP FUNCTION FAILURES IN GENERAL

ELECTRIC F-FRAME MOLDED-CASE CIRCUIT

BREAKERS

Addressees

All holders of operating licenses or construction permits for nuclear

power reactors.

Purpose

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is issuing this information notice

to alert addressees to a potentially safety-significant problem resulting from

the possible failure of the remote trip functions of General Electric (GE)

F-frame (225-ampere frame size) molded-case circuit breakers (MCCBs). It is

expected that recipients will review the information for applicability to their

facilities and consider actions, as appropriate, to avoid similar problems.

However, suggestions contained in this information notice are not NRC require- ments; therefore, no specific action or written response is required.

Description of Circumstances

On November 5, 1991, GE Nuclear Energy (GE NE), San Jose, California, issued an

interim notification of its evaluation of a deviation in accordance with the

latest revision (effective October 29, 1991) of Part 21, "Reporting of Defects

and Noncompliance," of Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations

(10 CFR Part 21). The notification described the deviation as a "tolerance

buildup" in certain GE F-frame MCCBs with undervoltage releases (UVRs) and

shunt trip devices (STs) that may inhibit these internal accessory remote trip

devices from functioning properly under conditions that produce sustained high

internal temperatures in the MCCBs.

The attachment to the GE NE notification was taken from a draft Service Advice

Letter (SAL) on this subject being prepared by the MCCB manufacturer, GE

Electrical Distribution and Control (ED&C), in Plainville, Connecticut.

GE NE plans to send the 10 CFR Part 21 interim notification to all of its

customers who have purchased F-frame MCCBs for safety-related applications

and to all GE NE Material Services field representatives. GE ED&C plans to

send the SAL (issued November 25, 1991 as SAL 91-2F) to all of its customers of

record, many of whom are distributors. However, both the F-frame MCCBs and

their accessory trip devices are available on the open market as commercial

grade items through various distribution paths. Therefore, the licensees for

some nuclear plants who use these MCCBs may not receive the GE notifications.

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IN 92-03 January 6, 1992 Discussion

Although still evaluating the problem, the MCCB manufacturer has determined

that assembly and operational variations caused the reported failures.

The

variations reportedly resulted from (1) tolerances in mounting the accessory

trip devices in the MCCBs, (2) tolerances on the adjustment of the ambient

compensating bimetal (part of the thermal overload trip mechanism), and

sustained high operating temperatures in the MCCBs. The high internal (3)

ature in the MCCB required to produce a condition conducive to the temper- malfunction

can result from continuous high current load (greater than 50 percent

overcurrent trip unit rating for more than 2 hours2.314815e-5 days <br />5.555556e-4 hours <br />3.306878e-6 weeks <br />7.61e-7 months <br />) together with a of the

ambient temperature in the enclosure. A secondary heat source could high

produce the high temperatures required for this malfunction. also

GE NE stated in its interim notification that UYR- and ST-equipped

produced after April 1991 (date codes J116= and 1116=) incorporatedMCCBs

changes

that would prevent this condition. GE NE also stated that an MCCB may

not exhibit this malfunction, depending on the particular circumstances or may

associated with the assembly of the breaker and the accessory remote

devices, in conjunction with the high temperature service conditions trip

be conducive to failure. Nevertheless, GE NE maintained that affectedbelieved to

will trip under overcurrent conditions and will trip remotely at the MCCBs

lower MCCB

internal temperatures usually present with lower load currents and enclosure

ambient temperatures or without secondary heat sources.

GE NE initially reported that it had identified a.specific safety-related

application for the affected F-frame MCCBs equipped with internal accessory

remote trip devices. The identified application is associated with

multiple electrical protection assemblies (EPAs) used in boiling water the

(BWR) plants to monitor power quality to the reactor protection system reactor

The EPAs trip the F-frame breakers for the RPS power supplies by means (RPS).

remote trip devices if the EPAs detect overvoltage, undervoltage, of the

or underfre- quency conditions in RPS power. In addition, GE NE informed the NRC

in a

subsequent communication that it may also have supplied some of the affected

MCCBs as part of subassembly-level applications not separately identified

GE NE records. The affected MCCBs fitted with factory-installed remote in

accessories may also be used in numerous other applications in all types trip

nuclear plants in which remote tripping of an F-frame MCCB by means of

or ST may be a safety-related function. of the UVR

The presence of UVRs or STs in F-frame MCCBs should be apparent when

are installed in the plant. However, even if accessory designation the units

are not evident, affected MCCBs can be recognized by the two UVR or markings

ST

wires protruding through small openings in the sides of the MCCB case. lead

Additionally, UVRs set up for monitoring 240, 480, or 600 volts-AC

or 250

volts-DC should have an external dropping resistor connected in series

with one

of their lead wires. Attachment 1 lists the breaker frame type designations

of

IN 92-03 January 6, 1992 the potentially affected MCCBs and the catalog numbers of the affected

internal accessory remote trip devices and also gives the date codes of the

units believed by the manufacturer to be affected.

In view of the potentially wide scope of application of the affected

MCCBs, addressees may find the affected types of UVR- and ST-equipped MCCBs

both installed and in the warehouse.

Addressees

who find any affected MCCBs

may consult the manufacturer on this subject to determine the appropriate

corrective action, including testing for the existence of the malfunction, analyzing the potential high temperature producing conditions, or replacing

the affected components.

This information notice requires no specific action or written response. If

you have any questions about the information in this notice, please contact

the technical contact listed below or the appropriate Office of Nuclear

Reactor Regulation (NRR) project manager.

I.1os Si Doirector

Division of Operational Events Assessment

Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

Technical contact: S. D. Alexander, NRR

(301) 504-2995 Attachments:

1. Affected MCCBs and Accessories

2. List of Recently Issued NRC Information Notices

Attachment 1 IN 92-03 January 6, 1992 AFFECTED MCCBs and ACCESSORIES

The affected GE F-frame ("F-225 Line") MCCBs include the breaker types or

frames listed below which can be fitted with any of the accessory remote trip

devices with the listed catalog numbers:

BREAKER FRAMES SHUNT TRIPS UNDERVOLTAGE RELEASES

TFK, THFK TFKSTA12 TFKUVA1 TFJ TFKSTA13 TFKUVA2 THLC2 TFKSTA7 TFKUVA4 THLB2 TFKSTA8 TFKUVA6 THLC4 TFKSTA9 TFKUVA7 TLB4 TFKSTA11 TFKUYA8 TFKUVA9 TFKUVA10

TFKUVA11 According to GE NE and GE ED&C, the tolerance buildup affects F-frame MCCBs and

UYRs and STs assembled between August 1979 and April 1991 (accessory date codes

N927* through N116=). The potentially affected MCCBs could have manufacturing

date codes J927* through J116= (1116= for current limiting frames), but ED&C

reported no identifiable volume of field returns for this condition among MCCBs

built before the fourth quarter of 1987 (breaker date codes J736+ and I736+).

The accessory date code is its manufacturing date code and only appears on the

accessory itself. However, the date code from the accessory installation

facility may appear on the MCCB case in addition to the manufacturing date code

of the MCCB.

Attachment 2 IN 92-03 January 6, 1992 LIST OF RECENTLY ISSUED

NRC INFORMATION NOTICES

Information Date of

Notice No. Subject Issuance Issued to

92-02 Relap5/Mod3 Computer Code 01/03/92 All holders of OLs or CPs

Error Associated with the for nuclear power reactors.

Conservation of Energy

Equation

92-01 Cable Damage Caused by 01/03/92 All holders of OLs or CPs

Inadequate Cable Installa- for nuclear power reactors.

tion Procedures and Controls

91-87 Hydrogen Embrittlement of 12/27/91 All holders of OLs or CPs

Raychem Cryofit Couplings for nuclear power reactors.

91-86 New Reporting Requirements 12/27/91 All licensees authorized

for Contamination Events at to use byproduct materials

Medical Facilities for human use.

(10 CFR 30.50)

91-85 Potential Failures of 12/26/91 All holders of OLs or CPs

Thermostatic Control Valves for nuclear power reactors.

for Diesel Generator Jacket

Cooling Water

91-84 Problems with Criticality 12/26/91 All Nuclear Regulatory

Alarm Components/Systems Commission (NRC) fuel

cycle licensees, interim

spent fuel storage licens- ees, and critical mass

licensees.

91-83 Solenoid-Operated Valve 12/20/91 All holders of OLs or CPs

Failures Resulted in for nuclear power reactors.

Turbine Overspeed

91-18, High-Energy Piping Failures 12/18/91 All holders of OLs or CPs

Supp. 1 Caused by Wall Thinning for nuclear power reactors.

91-82 Problems with Diaphragms 12/18/91 All holders of OLs or CPs

in Safety-Related Tanks for nuclear power reactors.

OL = Operating License

CP = Construction Permit

IN 91-XX

December XX, 1991 the potentially affected MCCBs and the catalog numbers of the affected internal

accessory remote trip devices and also gives the date codes of the units

believed by the manufacturer to be affected.

In view of the potentially wider scope of the application of the affected

MCCBs, addressees may find the affected types of UVR- and ST-equipped MCCBs

both installed and in the warehouse.

Addressees

who find any affected MCCBs

may consult the manufacturer on this subject to determine the appropriate

corrective action, including testing to confirm the existence of the malfunc- tion, analyzing the potential high temperature producing conditions, or

replacing the affected components.

No specific action or written response is required by this notice. If you

have any questions regarding this notice, please call the technical contact

listed below, or the appropriate Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation (NRR)

project manager.

Charles E. Rossi, Director

Division of Operational Events Assessment

Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

Technical ContiIct: S. D. Alexander, NRR

(301) 504-2995 Attachment 1: Affected MCCBs and Accessories

Attachment 2: List of Recently Issued NRC Information Notices

DISTRIBUTION:

Central Flles PDR DRIS R/F VIB R/F

SAlexander CVanDenburgh LNorrholm BGrimes

CBerlinger ERossi

• see previous concurrences

OFC :VIB/DRIS :VIB/DRIS :VIB/DRIS :TECH ED :D:DRIS

NAME :SAlexander:sda :CVanDenburgh :LNorrholm :JMain :BKGrimes

DATE :12/19/91* :12/4/91* :12/19/91* :12/4/91* :12/19/91*

OFC :B'9C:

~8L9A :DD:DOEA:

NAM CBe :CERossi:

DATE :12/tO/91 :12/ /91  :  :

OFFICIAL RECORD COPY Document Name: GE FFRAME MCCB INFO NOTICE

IN 92-03 January 6, 1992 the potentially affected MCCBs and the catalog numbers of the affected

internal accessory remote trip devices and also gives the date codes of the

units believed by the manufacturer to be affected.

In view of the potentially wide scope of application of the affected

MCCBs, addressees may find the affected types of UVR- and ST-equipped MCCBs

both installed and in the warehouse.

Addressees

who find any affected MCCBs

may consult the manufacturer on this subject to determine the appropriate

corrective action, including testing for the existence of the malfunction, analyzing the potential high temperature producing conditions, or replacing

the affected components.

This information notice requires no specific action or written response. If

you have any questions about the information in this notice, please contact

the technical contact listed below or the appropriate Office of Nuclear

Reactor Regulation (NRR) project manager.

original Signed by

Charles E. Rossi

Charles E. Rossi, Director

Division of Operational Events Assessment

Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

Technical contact: S. D. Alexander, NRR

(301) 504-2995 Attachments:

1. Affected MCCBs and Accessories

2. List of Recently Issued NRC Information Notices

• see previous concurrences

OFC :VIB/DRIS :YIB/DRIS :VIB/DRIS :TECH ED :D:DRIS

NAME :SAlexander:sda :CVanDenburgh :LNorrholm :JMain :BKGrimes

DATE :12/19/91* :12/4/91* :12/19/91* :12/4/91* :12/19/91*

OFC :BC:GCB:DOEA :DD:D0EA

NAME :CBerlinger  : oRJ O  :  :  :

DATE :12/20/91* :12/tW91  :  :  :

OFFICIAL RECORD COPY Document Name: IN 92-03

IN 91-XX

December XX, 1991 Pace 3 of 3 the potentially affected MCCBs and the catalog numbers of the affected internal

accessory remote trip devices and also gives the date codes of the units

believed by the manufacturer to be affected.

In view of the potentially wider scope of the application of the affected

MCCBs, addressees may find the affected types of UVR- and ST-equipped MCCBs

both installed and in the warehouse.

Addressees

who find any affected MCCBs

may consult the manufacturer on this subject to determine the appropriate

corrective action, including testing to confirm the existence of the malfunc- tion, analyzing the potential high temperature producing conditions, or

replacing the affected components.

No specific action or written response is required by this notice. If you

have any questions regarding this notice, please call the technical contact

listed below, or the appropriate Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation (NRR)

project manager.

Charles E. Rossi, Director

Division of Operational Events Assessment

Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

S. D. Alexander, NRR

(301) vq-0995 Attachment 1: Affected MCCBs and Accessories

Attachment 2: List of Recently Issued NRC Information Notices

DISTRIBUTION:

Central Files PDR DRIS R/F VIB R/F

SAlexander CVanDenburgh LNorrholm BGrimes

CBerlinger ERossi

• see previous concurrences

OFC :VIB/DRIS VIB/DRIS :VIB IS :TECH ED

___-_--_---_-_- l----- ---------.--- f-- ------- -------------- -- iv-------- --------------

NAME :5Alexander:sda: CVanDenburgh :LL Wm :JMain s

DATE :1 2 4J9 1 :12/4/91* :12A9/91 :12/4/91* :12/11 /91 CA"

OFC :BC:.BDOEA :DD:DOEA  : '  :

NAME C erlinger :CERossi  :  :

---

-------------

--- ------  :-------1/----_ ___________:______________

DATE

DATE :12/,vO/91 :121 /9-1  ::

OFFICIAL RECORD COPY Document Name: DRAFT GE INFO MCCB NOTICE

IN 91-XX

December XX, 1991 No specific action or written response is required by this

notice. If you have any questions regarding this notice, please

call the technical contact listed below, or the appropriate

Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation (NRR) project manager.

Charles E. Rossi, Director

Division of Operational Events Assessment

Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

S. D. Alexander, NRR

(301) 492-0995 Attachment 1: Affected MCCBs and Accessories

Attachment 2: List of Recently Issued NRC Information Notices

DISTRIBUTION:

Central Files PDR DRIS R/F VIB R/F

SAlexander CVanDenburgh LNorrholm BGrimes

CBerlinger ERossi

• see previous concurrences

OFFICE DRIS:VIB DRIS:VIB DRIST B TECH ED 0

NAME SALEXANDER CVANDENBURGH JIAIN

DATE *12/ 4/91 *12/ 4/91 12/../91 *12/ 4/91 12/;, /91

[OFFICE

NAME

DOEA:GCB

CBERLINGER

DOEA:DD

EROSSI

DATE 12/ /91 12/ /91 OFFICIAL RECORD COPY Document Name: GER2.IN

IN 91-XX

December XX, 1991 No specific action or written response is required by this

notice. If you have any questions regarding this notice, please

call the technical contact listed below, or the appropriate

Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation project manager.

Charles E. Rossi, Director

Division of Operational Events Assessment

Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

S. D. Alexander, NRR

(301) 492-0995 Attachment 1: Frame Types and Date Codes of Affected MCCBs and

Catalog Numbers and Date Codes of Affected Acces- sories

Attachment 2: List of Recently Issued NRC Information Notices

DISTRIBUTION:

Central Files PDR DRIS R/F VIB R/F

SAlexander CVanDenburgh LNorrholm BGrimes

CBerlinger ERossi

OFFICE DRIS:VIB DRIS:VIB DRIS:VIB TECH ED DRIS:DD

NAME ACVAN GH LNORRHOLM JMAIN 9T% BGRIMES

DATE 12 / LJ/91 12/1 /91 12/ /91 12/ Y/91 12/ /91 OFFICE DOEA:GCB DOEA:DD

NAME CBERLINGER EROSSI

DATE 12/ /91 12/ /91