ML19290A472

Deficiency Rept:On 730515 Nuclear Svc River Water Pump 1C Motor Caught Fire & Supply Breaker Tripped During Operation Supporting Testing of Circulating Water Sys.On 730717 Knocking Noise & Burning Odor Emanated from Pump

ML19290A472
Person / Time
Site:	Three Mile Island
Issue date:	08/20/1973
From:	John Miller METROPOLITAN EDISON CO.
To:
Shared Package
ML19290A471	List: ML19290A472
References
NUDOCS 7911070646
Download: ML19290A472 (2)

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POST OFFICE BOX 542 READING. PENNSYLVANI A 19603 TELEPHONE 215 - 929-3601 August 20, 1973 Dr. D. F. Knuth, Director Directorate of Regulatory Operations United States Atomic Energy Commission Washington, D. C. 20545

SUBJECT:

Three Mile Island Nuclear Station Unit No.1 Docket No. 50-289 Nuclear Service River Water Pump IC Motor Failure

Dear Dr. Knuth:

You were dotified en July 25, 1973, of a situation which could be considered reportable under 10 CFR 50.55 (e)(1)(iii), " Conditions of Construction Permits." This situation involved the failure of Nuclear Service River Water Pump IC Motor. .

DESCRIPTION OF THE SIGNIFICANT DZFICIENCY While running Nuclear Service River Water to support testing of the Circulating Water System on May 15, 1973, Nuclear Service River Water Pump IC Motor burst into flames and its suoply breaker tripped. At the time, the pu=p was running under full load conditions as it had been for approxi-mately one and one-half hours. Your AEC/DRO inspector was notified of this failure for information by letter f rom R. W. Heward, Jr. , (GPU) on July 12, 1973 (File No. TMI-1/ll22). The shorted motor was subsequently rewound and repaired.

On July 17, 1973, after about one hour operation of the ousp at its rated flow of 6,000 GPM with the motor drawing 162 amps, an Electrical Startup engineer detected a knocking noise and burning odor coming from the NR-P-IC motor.

CORRECTIVE ACTION TAKEN The pump was i==ediately secured. Another pump was started to carry the system load. No further action was necessary to support the loss of NR-P-IC. The motor is again being returned to the manufacturer (Westinghouse) for inspection and repair.

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1557 348 19110706f(

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. Dr. D. F. Knuth

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Page Two ENGINEERING EVAI.UATION At the time of occurrence, the Nuclear Service River Water System was in test. On July 18, 1973, the motor was meggered and the main windings to ground resistance was 2 ohms. No evidence of damage was apparent by visual examination. The motor is being returned to the =anufacturer for further inspection and repair.

A check of motor protective circuits was made and has shown them to be operating properly. Our QA inspector will be present at the vendor's plant during motor inspection to deter =ine the specific cause of the f ailure.

A final report of the results of the manufacturer's motor inspection and repair will be available at Three Mile Island Nuclear Station for your review.

.1 Very truly yours , /

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J. 'G. diller Vice President bav I cc: Mr. J. P. O'Reilly, Director Region I Directorate of Regulatory Operations 631 Park Avenue King of Prussia, Pennsylvania 19406 Mr. W. A. Verrochi Vice President GPU Service Corporation 260 Cherry Hill Road Parsippany, New Jersey 07054 1557 349

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