ENS 44896
ENS Event | |
|---|---|
04:00 Mar 11, 2009 | |
| Title | Part 21 Notification - Defective Hk and K-Line Circuit Breaker Tension Springs |
| Event Description | The identification of the subject component is as follows: ABB P/N 716359A00 Tension Spring. These springs are used in both HK (Medium Voltage) and K-Line (Low voltage) circuit breakers. In the HK breaker, the spring is used on the racking mechanism to position the racking mechanism interlocking latch. In the K-Line circuit breaker, the spring resets the prop latch mechanism following a circuit breaker trip. Circuit breakers and spare parts procured from ABB between 04/23/2008 and 02/27/2009 may have suspect springs installed.
Nature of the deviation: Micro-cracks in the base of the hooked end of the springs may result in failure of the springs after repetitive cycles. A broken spring could potentially affect the ability of a K-Line or HK breaker to reset and close after an opening operation. Initial report of the nonconformance was generated on 02/11/2009 (NCR #68999JL), reporting that springs failed during mechanical life testing being performed on a K-Line breaker. These springs failed after approximately 2,800 cycles each. Given the large number of applications for the affected circuit breakers, ABB (Medium Voltage Service) cannot determine if the potential for a substantial safety hazard exists at any licensee's facility if a similar failure of the tension spring occurs. Licensees are requested to evaluate the history of inspections, maintenance practices, and circuit breaker operating cycles for K-Line breakers, and racking cycles for HK breakers to determine if the circuit breaker spring should be replaced immediately or at the next convenient maintenance opportunity. ABB recommends that any suspect spring with greater than 1,400 operating cycles be replaced as soon as possible. Currently ABB is determining the affected licensees and will notify them on or about March 30, 2009.
ABB updated the original report by providing a list of affected customers. Notified R1DO (DeFrancisco), R2DO (Nease), R3DO (Lara), and R4DO (Hay). |
| Where | |
|---|---|
| Abb Inc. Florence, South Carolina (NRC Region 1) | |
| Organization: | Abb Inc. |
| Reporting | |
| 10 CFR 21.21 | |
| Time - Person (Reporting Time:+11.87 h0.495 days <br />0.0707 weeks <br />0.0163 months <br />) | |
| Opened: | Terry Malloy 15:52 Mar 11, 2009 |
| NRC Officer: | Dan Livermore |
| Last Updated: | Mar 16, 2009 |
| 44896 - NRC Website | |
Abb Inc. with 10 CFR 21.21, Notification of failure to comply or existence of a defect and its evaluation | |
WEEKMONTHYEARENS 465452011-01-10T05:00:00010 January 2011 05:00:00
[Table view]10 CFR 21.21, Notification of failure to comply or existence of a defect and its evaluation Part 21 Notification of Potential Defect for Overcurrent Relays ENS 448962009-03-11T04:00:00011 March 2009 04:00:00 10 CFR 21.21, Notification of failure to comply or existence of a defect and its evaluation Part 21 Notification - Defective Hk and K-Line Circuit Breaker Tension Springs 2011-01-10T05:00:00 | |