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 Start dateReporting criterionEvent description
05000390/LER-2017-01017 August 2017
10 October 2017
10 CFR 50.73(a)(2)(iv)(A), System Actuation
10 CFR 50.73(a)(2)(v)(C), Loss of Safety Function - Release of Radioactive Material
10 CFR 50.73(a)(2)(v)(D), Loss of Safety Function - Mitigate the Consequences of an Accident

On August 17, 2017, at 1205 Eastern Daylight Time (EDT), the Watts Bar Nuclear Plant (WBN) lost power to the 1B-B 6.9kV Shutdown Board. The loss of power to this safety related bus resulted in an automatic start of the Unit 1 Turbine Driven Auxiliary Feedwater Pump (TDAFWP). Power to the 1B-B Shutdown Board (SDBD) was restored at 1505 EDT on August 17, 2017.

During the loss of power to the 1B-B SDBD, a reduction in containment and control rod drive mechanism cooling occurred. At 1233 EDT, lower containment average temperature exceeded Technical Specification (TS) limits, and TS 3.6.5 Condition A was entered for containment average air temperature not within limits. Lower containment average temperature was restored to within limits at 1525 EDT on August 17. 2017. This is reportable as a potential loss of safety function.

The cause of this event is mechanical vibration while closing a panel drawer resulting in actuation of protective relays that led to a loss of power.

Clearances will require the relays involved in this event to be isolated during drawer movement to prevent a similar occurrence.

05000390/LER-2017-01123 August 2017
23 October 2017
10 CFR 50.73(a)(2)(i)(B), Prohibited by Technical Specifications

On August 23, 2017, Watts Bar Nuclear Plant (WBN) personnel identified Technical Specification (TS) 3.6.3, Containment Isolation Valves, was not entered for on-going work related to 1-FCV-31-330, Incore Instrument Room Air Handler Unit 1B Chilled Water System Isolation Valve. A clearance was placed on 1-FCV-31-330 by Operations Work Control for scheduled work on May 17, 2017 rendering the valve inoperable. Work was completed May 19, 2017, however, the clearance remained in place pending post maintenance testing after other related system work was complete. Due to a human performance error, the appropriate TS tracking program was not activated and no narrative log entry was made to signify entry into the TS as required by procedure. The in-place clearance satisfactorily met the required actions of TS 3.6.3 condition A.1. to isolate the affected containment penetration flow path by use of at least one closed and de-activated automatic valve. However, without the required TS tracking program activated, personnel failed to comply with TS 3.6.3 condition A.2. to verify the affected penetration flow path is isolated every 31 days.

Failure to enter the TS tracking program in accordance with procedure was a human performance error. Corrective actions included coaching and department operating experience communication.

05000390/LER-2017-01223 October 201710 CFR 50.73(a)(2)(i)(B), Prohibited by Technical Specifications

On August 23. 2017. Watts Bar Nuclear Plant (WBN) identified that procedures 1-E-1 and 2-E-1, Loss of Reactor or Secondary Coolant, contained steps to manually open 1-FCV-67-458 in the event of a Train A or B power failure.

Opening 1-FCV-67-458 would result in the crosstie of Essential Raw Cooling Water (ERCW) Headers 2A and 1B, which would lead to providing flow to equipment not operating due to the loss of a train of power. On October 6. 2017.

it was determined that for certain time periods, if a design basis accident had occurred on Unit 2 with a loss of offsite power concurrent with a train failure and with 1-FCV-67-458 opened, inadequate ERCW flow would have been available to remove decay heat after transfer to cold leg recirculation. This condition only affected operability of ERCW Train A. This is reportable as a condition prohibited by Technical Specification 3.7.8.

The issue associated with this incorrect procedural step to cross-tie the ERCW trains in 1-E-1 and 2-E-1 was addressed as part of actions to resolve an ERCW design and procedure issue documented in Licensee Event Report (LER) 390-2017-009. This report, while related, identifies an issue that was not addressed in the prior LER. The cause was determined to be the incorrect application of a cross tie requirement associated with 10 CFR 50 Appendix R. Corrective action will be to include engineering in the review of procedures affected by complex design changes.

NRC FORM 355 ;:;4-217' APPROVED BY OMB: NO. 3150-0104 EXPIRES: 03/31/2020 comments regarding burden estimate to the Information Services Branch (T-2 F43), U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555-0001. or by e-mail to NEOB-10202. (3150-0104), Office of Management and Budget. Washington, DC 20503. If a means used to impose an information collection does not display a currently valid OMB control number. the NRC may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, the information collection.

05000390/LER-2017-0136 September 2017
24 January 2018
10 CFR 50.73(a)(2)(i)(B), Prohibited by Technical SpecificationsOn September 6, 2017, Watts Bar Nuclear Plant (WBN) identified that the vacuum relief line airflows did not meet acceptance criteria for the Auxiliary Building Gas Treatment System (ABGTS) for Train A during the performance of 0- SI-30-7-A, ABGTS Pressure Test Troubleshooting of the low airflows identified an Auxiliary Building Secondary Containment Enclosure (ABSCE) Unit 2 General Ventilation intake damper 2-FC0-30-108 with approximately one inch gaps in the blade seals with the damper in the closed position Preliminary investigation found that the damper linkage appeared to not be adjusted correctly to allow full closure of the damper blades following maintenance in May of 2017 The low vacuum relief line airflows resulted in the Train A ABGTS being inoperable, based on identified open ABSCE breaches, from July 7, 2017 to September 5, 2017 This time period is longer than that allowed by Technical Specification (TS) 3 7 12 for ABGTS, and is therefore a condition prohibited by TS The cause of this event was an incorrectly adjusted damper linkage after replacement of the damper actuator A training needs analysis will be performed to evaluate training solutions for damper linkage adjustments Damper preventative maintenance activities will be revised to address smooth operation and absence of mechanical binding
05000390/LER-2017-01430 October 2017
20 December 2017
10 CFR 50.73(a)(2)(v)(D), Loss of Safety Function - Mitigate the Consequences of an Accident

On October 30. 2017. at 0942 Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) Watts Bar Nuclear Plant (WBN) operations personnel received a Main Control Room (MCR) alarm for low control room positive pressure. At 0943 EDT, a Control Room Envelope (CRE) door was found ajar and immediately closed. Technical Specification 3.7.10 Control Room Emergency Ventilation System (CREVS) was declared not met for both trains, and Limiting Conditions for Operation (LCO) Condition B was entered for Unit 1 (Mode 1) and Condition G was entered for Unit 2 (Mode 5). At 0945 EDT the alarm cleared, CREVS was declared operable and LCO 3.7.10, Conditions B and G were exited. The loss of the control room envelope is being reported as a loss of safety function needed to mitigate the consequences of an accident.

The cause of this issue is a human performance error in that an individual leaving the control building complex failed to confirm closure of the MCR envelope boundary door. Corrective actions have been generated to develop and install an engineering feature to inform personnel closing the door that it is fully shut and latched.

05000390/LER-2017-0159 November 2017
8 January 2018
10 CFR 50.73(a)(2)(i)(B), Prohibited by Technical Specifications

On November 9, 2017, an issue was identified where Technical Specification (TS) Limiting Conditions of Operation (LCOs) were not entered when non-TS Engineered Safety Feature (ESF) area coolers were removed from service for maintenance. The Watts Bar Nuclear Plant (WBN) had been performing maintenance on ESF coolers serving Auxiliary Building areas without entering the TS LCO Action Statements associated with equipment present in those areas. Specific areas of concern identified were the general areas of the 713 foot and 737 foot elevations of the Auxiliary Building. These coolers were taken out of service for time periods longer than allowed for ESF equipment (typically 72 hours), which would represent a condition prohibited by the TS.

At this time, WBN has not confirmed that for those cases where a cooler was taken out of service without entering a TS LCO if an actual adverse impact on safety function would have occurred if an accident with a single failure had occurred during those time periods. Those details, and the cause and corrective actions related to a 2010 guidance change, will be provided in a supplement to this report.

05000391/LER-2016-00114 April 2016
13 June 2016
10 CFR 50.73(a)(2)(vii), Common Cause Inoperability
10 CFR 50.73(a)(2)(i)(B), Prohibited by Technical Specifications

From March 18, 2016, when Watts Bar Nuclear Plant Unit 2 first entered Mode 4 to April 14, 2016 with the plant in Mode 3, it was determined that a condition prohibited by Technical Specifications (TS) existed. During this time both automatic and manual closure of the containment isolation valves and the sample isolation valves for the Steam Generator Blowdown (SGBD) sampling lines were disabled due to improperly installed electrical jumpers in the valve control circuits. The misplaced jumpers bypassed the Phase A containment isolation signals, the auto/manual start signals for the Auxiliary Feedwater (AFW) pumps, and the control valve seal-in circuits. Containment isolation on a Phase A signal is used to control potential release of radioactive material to the environ in the event of a Design Bases Accident. The AFW pump auto/manual start signals are used to isolate the SGBD sampling lines to preserve steam generator inventory. The seal-in circuits are used to allow the operator to manually position the valves in either the open or closed position from the main control room. This event occurred prior to initial reactor criticality. There was no loss of safety function.

The isolation valves for the SGBD sample lines were returned to service on April 14, 2016. This event is being reported pursuant to 10 CFR 50.73(a)(2)(i)(B) and 10 CFR 50.73(a)(2)(vii)(B) and (C).

05000391/LER-2016-00211 May 2016
11 July 2016
10 CFR 50.73(a)(2)(i)(B), Prohibited by Technical Specifications

On April 14, 2016, during performance of Surveillance Requirement (SR) 3.7.5.2, the Turbine Driven Auxiliary Feedwater pump (TDAFWP) failed to achieve required rated speed of 3950 rpm ± 25 rpm due to an equipment failure. The TDAFWP was declared inoperable, and Technical Specification (TS) Limiting Condition for Operation (LCO) 3.7.5, Condition B, was entered. The equipment was repaired, the TDAFWP was re-tested successfully and returned to service. TS LCO 3.7.5 was exited on May 4, 2016.

On May 11, 2016, a past operability evaluation concluded that the TDAFWP had been inoperable from March 30 through April 17, 2016, during periods of time when the TDAFWP was required for Mode 3 operations. This is reportable as a condition prohibited by TS.

During the same time period, the 2A-A Motor Driven Auxiliary Feedwater Pump (MDAFWP) experienced an oil leak through the inboard bearing housing vent cap that resulted in the need to add approximately 4 ounces of oil on a daily basis. The MDAFWP was determined to be operable.

05000391/LER-2016-00328 May 2016
27 July 2016
10 CFR 50.73(a)(2)(i)(B), Prohibited by Technical Specifications

The Unit 2 Turbine Driven Auxiliary Feedwater (TDAFW) pump auto-started upon a planned Reactor Trip at 0154 Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) on May 28, 2016. At 0157 EDT the Reactor Operator noted that TDAFW forward flow to Steam Generators 1 and 3 were approximately 800 gallons per minute, and placed the associated Level Control Valves in the closed position. At approximately 0203 EDT the Main Control Room received Alarm Window 60-A, TDAFW Pump Electrical Overspeed Trip. Operators walked down the TDAFW pump and determined that the turbine had tripped, by confirming that the Trip and Throttle Valve was no longer latched, and declared the TDAFWP inoperable. The equipment was repaired, the TDAFWP was re-tested successfully and returned to service. Technical Specification (TS) Limiting Condition for Operation 3.7.5 was exited on May 30, 2016.

The plant conditions at the time of the event were Unit 2 in Mode 3 at Normal Operating Temperature/Normal Operating Pressure following manual reactor trip from Mode 1. The reactor trip was unrelated to this event.

On June 29 2016, a past operability evaluation concluded that the TDAFWP had been inoperable from March 30 through May 30, 2016. This is reportable as a condition prohibited by TS.

05000391/LER-2016-0045 June 2016
4 August 2016
10 CFR 50.73(a)(2)(iv)(A), System Actuation

On June 5, 2016 at 1227 Eastern Daylight Time (EDT), Watts Bar Nuclear Plant Unit 2 was in MODE 1 at approximately 12.5 percent power when a safety injection (SI) actuation occurred, followed by an automatic reactor protection system (RPS) trip. No primary safety barriers (Reactor Coolant System, containment and fuel clad) were challenged and no primary or secondary safety or relief valves actuated during the event. The Unit 2 plant trip was considered a complicated trip due to SI actuation. Safety equipment operated as expected and SI was promptly terminated.

The reactor trip and SI were caused by a turbine governor valve failing open, causing a steam header pressure rate of decrease SI actuation signal.

05000391/LER-2016-00520 June 2016
19 August 2016
10 CFR 50.73(a)(2)(iv)(A), System Actuation

On June 20, 2016, the 2B Main Feedwater Pump (MFP) tripped on a loss of vacuum in the 2B MFP turbine condenser, resulting in a loss of normal feed, and the subsequent trip of the main turbine. While operators were reducing power to within the capacity of Auxiliary Feedwater (AFW), the reactor tripped at 1540 Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) on Steam Generator Water Level (SGWL) Lo Lo in Steam Generator No.4. SG water level lowered rapidly due to shrink from the relatively cold AFW following the trip.

All control and shutdown rods fully inserted. All safety systems responded as designed. The trip response was uncomplicated.

The trip was caused by a human performance error during the drain down of the 2A MFP turbine condenser which resulted in a loss of vacuum on the 2B MFP turbine.

05000391/LER-2016-00613 August 201610 CFR 50.73(a)(2)(iv)(A), System Actuation

On August 13, 2016 Watts Bar Nuclear Plant Unit 2 (WBN2) was being stabilized following a pre-planned reactor trip.

Both motor driven auxiliary feed water pumps and the turbine driven auxiliary feed water pump (TDAFW pump) were in operation maintaining steam generator (SG) water level between 6 - 50 percent in accordance with the Reactor Trip Response Procedure.

At 0333 Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) the TDAFW pump was secured by procedure and SG water level lowered to the Lo-Lo Alarm setpoint (17 percent). With the Unit at 0 percent power, a trip time delay of 3 minutes is present for auxiliary feedwater actuation. At 0337 EDT, the TDAFW pump automatically started with SG water levels less than the Lo-Lo alarm setpoint (lowest level reached was 15 percent).

The cause of the event was a failure to brief the auto start feature of the TDAFW pump at Lo-Lo SG water level of 17 percent when briefing the control band for the SGs is between 6 to 50 percent.

05000391/LER-2016-00723 August 201610 CFR 50.73(a)(2)(iv)(A), System Actuation

On August 23, 2016, at 1356 Eastern Daylight Time (EDT), during power ascension testing, Watts Bar Nuclear Plant (WBN) Unit 2 reactor was manually tripped due to a loss of main feedwater. Concurrent with the reactor trip, the Auxiliary Feedwater system actuated as designed. All control and shutdown rods fully inserted. All safety systems responded as designed.

The loss of main feedwater was due to a leak on a hydraulic fitting associated with the Main Feedwater Pump Turbine High Pressure Governor valve, resulting in the valve going partially closed with reactor power at 48 percent. With the governor valve partially closed, feedwater flow was reduced such that the unit needed to be manually tripped.

Subsequent investigation determined the leak to be caused by the installation of incompatible fittings associated with the governor valve that occurred during plant construction.

05000391/LER-2016-00830 August 2016
28 October 2016
10 CFR 50.73(a)(2)(iv)(A), System Actuation

On August 30, 2016, at 2110 Eastern Daylight Time (EDT), the Watts Bar Nuclear Plant (WBN) Unit 2 reactor tripped on turbine trip as a result of an electrical fault. All control rods fully inserted and no safety or relief valves lifted. The Auxiliary Feedwater system actuated as designed.

The electrical fault was caused by an internal fault on the low voltage side of the 2B Main Bank Transformer (MBT) which resulted in a fire. The electrical fault was cleared by the 2B MBT sudden pressure and phase differential relays.

Automatic fire suppression operated as expected and a fire fighting team was established by the fire brigade with assistance from local fire departments. The fire was extinguished at 2230 EDT.

The failed 2B MBT was removed from the plant and the spare MBT was connected in its place. The unit was returned to power and replacement transformers are being procured by the Tennessee Valley Authority for long term reliability.

05000391/LER-2017-0019 March 2017
3 May 2017
10 CFR 50.73(a)(2)(v)(C), Loss of Safety Function - Release of Radioactive Material

upper containment airlock inboard door was found not closed while the outboard airlock door was open. This created a containment bypass with leakage potentially greater than allowed by the Technical Specifications. The operator immediately identified that the pressure equalizing valve for the inner door was not fully closed when the outer door of the airlock was opened. The outer door was promptly shut to isolate the airlock. The inner door was then cycled which closed the equalizing valve. The total time that a containment bypass was present is estimated to be five minutes.

The equalizing valve did not seat properly due to a damaged part in the valve closing mechanism. The airlock remains functional, and an operations caution order was put in place related to use of this air lock. The airlock will be repaired prior to Unit 2 returning to Mode 4.

NRC I ORM 366 M6-2016; APPROVED BY OMB: NO. 3150-0104 EXPIRES: 10/31/2018 comments regarding burden estimate to the FOIA, Privacy and Information Collections Branch (T-5 F53), U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555-0001, or by internal e-mail to used to impose an information collection does not display a currently valid OMB control number, the NRC may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, the information collection.

05000391/LER-2017-00220 March 2017
12 May 2017
10 CFR 50.73(a)(2)(iv)(A), System Actuation

On March 20, 2017 at 0813 Eastern Daylight Time (EDT), Watts Bar Nuclear Plant (WBN) Unit 2 operations personnel manually tripped the plant from approximately 91 percent power based on lowering steam generator levels. Prior to the plant trip, the 2A Hotwell pump tripped at 0759 EDT and the 2C Condensate Booster Pump subsequently tripped at 0803 EDT. Operations personnel commenced to lower plant power after the 2A Hotwell pump trip in an attempt to maintain steam generator levels, but were unable to recover level and manually tripped the unit.

All control rods fully inserted and all automatically actuated safety related equipment operated as designed. At 0905 EDT, operations personnel exited the emergency operating instructions after the plant was stabilized.

This event resulted when scaffold crews inadvertently depressed the local trip button for the 2A Hotwell pump, which resulted in the secondary system transient. Bump guard covers were subsequently installed on local pushbuttons for selected pumps in the turbine building.

NRC I ORM TEE :36'01 APPROVED BY OMB: NO. 3150-0104 EXPIRES: 10/3112018 comments regarding burden estimate to the FOIA, Privacy and Information Collections Branch (T-5 F53), U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555-0001, or by internet e-mail to NEOB-10202. (3150-0104), Office of Management and Budget, Washington, DC 20503. If a means used to impose an information collection does not display a currently valid OMB control number, the NRC may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, the information collection.

05000391/LER-2017-00323 March 2017
22 May 2017
10 CFR 50.73(a)(2)(iv)(A), System Actuation

On March 23, 2017, at 0014 Eastern Daylight Time (EDT), Watts Bar Nuclear Plant Unit 2 experienced an unplanned trip condition of both Turbine Driven Main Feed Pumps (TDMFPs) following a loss of Main Condenser Vacuum. The trip of both TDMFPs caused an automatic start of both Motor Driven Auxiliary Feed Water Pumps and the Turbine Driven Auxiliary Feed Water Pump as designed.

The plant was performing a normal startup, and had just synchronized the main generator to the grid. Subsequent to the event, the plant was transitioned to Mode 3 by inserting all control rods with a manual trip. All plant safety systems operated as expected.

The loss of condenser vacuum was the result of a significant breach of the Unit 2 main condenser - B zone. This failure is attributed to the main condenser neck support structural design being inadequate to maintain integrity within specification. Repairs to the condenser will be completed prior to Unit 2 returning to service.

05000391/LER-2017-00425 September 201710 CFR 50.73(a)(2)(iv)(A), System Actuation

On July 25, 2017, at 0428 Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) Watts Bar Nuclear Plant (WBN) Unit 2 was in Mode 3.

commencing a Reactor Startup. While in the initial phase of withdrawing the first of four Control Banks, the two associated group demand position indicators deviated greater than 2 steps from each other. In accordance with Technical Requirement 3.1.7, Position Indication System, Shutdown, with one or more group demand position indicators inoperable, the reactor trip breakers are to be opened immediately. Operations personnel opened the reactor trip breakers immediately by initiating a manual trip of the Reactor Protection System. The Auxiliary Feedwater system was in service and controlling Steam Generator water levels at the time of the event and did not receive any valid actuation signals. No other system actuations occurred as a result of this reactor trip and all systems operated as designed.

The rod demand indication deviation was determined to be caused by a failed logic card, which was replaced.

05000391/LER-2017-00525 January 201810 CFR 50.73(a)(2)(iv)(A), System Actuation

On November 26, 2017. at 1225 Eastern Standard Time (EST), the Watts Bar Nuclear Plant (WBN) Unit 2 experienced an unplanned Emergency Core Cooling System (ECCS) discharge to the Unit 2 Reactor Coolant System (RCS) while de-pressurized. in Mode 5. with the Pressurizer vented to the Pressurizer Relief Tank.

ECCS injection via the Boron Injection flow path occurred during planned Safety Injection system Engineered Safety Features Actuation System (ESFAS) testing. The Boron Injection flow path should have been isolated and should not have resulted in any injection flow to the Unit 2 RCS. The condition was promptly corrected by operator actions based on observed plant conditions.

The cause of this event is that an Operator improperly used a Caution Order to determine the configuration of the breaker for the Boron Injection Tank outlet valve. Correct Component Verification was not utilized as required. and the current position of the breaker in the field was not validated to support testing.

Corrective actions for this event include revising procedures to ensure the breakers associated with the boron injection flow path will be tagged open during ESFAS testing and that lessons learned related to this event are communicated to operating crews. An evaluation on the use of Caution Orders for off normal equipment positions will be performed .

NRC FORM 330604-2O'

05000391/LER-2017-00610 CFR 50.73(a)(2)(iv)(A), System Actuation

On December 11, 2017 at 0857 Eastern Standard Time (EST), the Watts Bar Nuclear Plant Unit 2 reactor was manually tripped after Operators observed multiple dropped control rods. All control and shutdown bank rods inserted properly in response to the manual reactor trip. All safety systems including Auxiliary Feedwater actuated as designed. The plant was stabilized with decay heat removal through Auxiliary Feedwater and the Steam Dump System.

An intermittent electrical connection between a rod control power cabinet card and the power cabinet backplane power supply caused a rod control malfunction with control bank A group 2 control rods. The malfunction resulted in four control rods dropping into the reactor core. As a corrective action, all five control rod power cabinets had a 100 percent inspection of backplane connectors on the card cages. Backplane connectors were reformed and aligned as necessary to attain suitable electrical and mechanical connection. Additionally, all associated circuit cards for the power cabinets had their connectors re-formed with a precision tool.

This event is being reported under 10 CFR 50.73(a)(2)(iv)(A) as safety system actuations of the Reactor Protection System and Auxiliary Feed Water System.