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 Start dateReporting criterionEvent description
05000499/LER-2015-001, Technical Specification Action Statement Time Exceeded Due to Turbine-Driven Auxiliary Feedwater Pump Test Failure Not Recognized4 March 201510 CFR 50.73(a)(2)(v)(B), Loss of Safety Function - Remove Residual Heat
10 CFR 50.73(a)(2)(i)(B), Prohibited by Technical Specifications

On March 11, 2015 at 1631 hours, a review performed by the Operations Surveillance Coordinator discovered that a surveillance performed on March 4, 2015 on the Unit 2 turbine-driven auxiliary feedwater (AFW) pump 24 did not meet the surveillance acceptance criteria for as-found discharge pressure. An operability review was subsequently performed and on March 12, 2015 it was determined that AFW pump 24 was inoperable as of March 4, 2015 at 1507 hours. As a result, the Technical Specification allowed outage time of 72 hours was exceeded and the Configuration Risk Management Program was not applied; this is reportable per 10CFR50.73(a)(2)(i)(B). During the period of AFW pump 24 inoperability, a second auxiliary feedwater pump was also inoperable on March 9, 2015 resulting in a condition that could have prevented the fulfillment of the safety function of systems that are needed to remove residual heat which is reportable per 10CFR50.73(a)(2)(v)(B). AFW pump 24 was not recognized as inoperable due to human error. As a corrective action, the operators were coached and counseled and remediated by Operations Management.

An actual demand for AFW did not occur during the period of inoperability; therefore, there was no adverse effect on the health and safety of the public.

05000499/LER-2015-00110 CFR 50.73(a)(2)(v)(B), Loss of Safety Function - Remove Residual Heat
10 CFR 50.73(a)(2)(i)(B), Prohibited by Technical Specifications

On March 11, 2015 at 1631 hours, a review performed by the Operations Surveillance Coordinator discovered that a surveillance performed on March 4, 2015 on the Unit 2 turbine-driven auxiliary feedwater (AFW) pump 24 did not meet the surveillance acceptance criteria for as-found discharge pressure. An operability review was subsequently performed and on March 12, 2015 it was determined that AFW pump 24 was inoperable as of March 4, 2015 at 1507 hours. As a result, the Technical Specification allowed outage time of 72 hours was exceeded and the Configuration Risk Management Program was not applied; this is reportable per 10CFR50.73(a)(2)(i)(B). During the period of AFW pump 24 inoperability, a second auxiliary feedwater pump was also inoperable on March 9, 2015 resulting in a condition that could have prevented the fulfillment of the safety function of systems that are needed to remove residual heat which is reportable per 10CFR50.73(a)(2)(v)(B). AFW pump 24 was not recognized as inoperable due to human error. As a corrective action, the operators were coached and counseled and remediated by Operations Management.

An actual demand for AFW did not occur during the period of inoperability; therefore, there was no adverse effect on the health and safety of the public.

05000499/LER-2014-00131 December 201310 CFR 50.73(a)(2)(v)(D), Loss of Safety Function - Mitigate the Consequences of an Accident
10 CFR 50.73(a)(2)(v), Loss of Safety Function
10 CFR 50.73(a)(2)(i)(B), Prohibited by Technical Specifications

On December 31, 2013, an approximately three gallon per minute Essential Cooling Water (ECW) leak was discovered on Standby Diesel Generator (SDG) 23 at a one-half inch aluminum-bronze threaded connection. The leak was first identified as a 60 drop per minute leak on November 6, 2013. A reportability review completed on January 16, 2014 determined that SDG 23 had been inoperable since the initial leak was discovered, resulting in a safety system inoperability duration of approximately 55 days, 12 hours, and 27 minutes.

This event is reportable under 10 CFR 50.73(a)(2)(i)(B) as a prohibited by Technical Specifications and under 10 CFR 50.73(a)(2)(v) as a condition that could have prevented the fulfillment of a safety function.

The risk significance of the event is considered to be very small. The leaking aluminum-bronze tee and nipple assembly for SDG 23 was replaced on December 31, 2013 and there was no additional damage to any safety-related equipment associated with this event. The event did not have an adverse effect on the health and safety of the public.

The cause of the failure was erosion of the aluminum-bronze nipple and tee assembly that led to a through-wall ECW leak.

Corrective actions include the replacement of the remaining aluminum-bronze nipple and tee assemblies on the SDGs with stainless steel components.

05000499/LER-2013-00419 December 201310 CFR 50.73(a)(2)(iv)(A), System Actuation

On December 19, 2013, while in Mode 3 preparing the Unit 2 secondary plant for startup, conditions occurred where it became necessary to break vacuum on the main condenser. The Operator closed the Main Steam Isolation Valves (MSIVs) using the Main Steam Isolation Actuation switch due to the urgency to prevent damage to the main turbine.

This action constitutes a valid manual actuation of multiple MSIVs and is therefore reportable under 10 CFR 50.73(a)(2)(iv)(A).

The risk significance of the event is considered to be very small. This event did not result in any offsite release of radioactivity or increase the offsite dose rates, and there were no personal injuries or damage to any safety-related equipment associated with this event.

The cause of the event was unspecific guidance in the off normal procedure for secondary plant stabilization. The failure of the bearing oil lift piping placed the Control Room Staff in a situation that required prompt action to prevent equipment damage, and the Staff made a decision to use the MSI Actuation switch as a result of the unspecific written guidance to ensure MSIVs and Main Steam Isolation Bypass valves (MSIBs) are closed.

The corrective action will be to revise the off normal procedure for secondary plant stabilization to provide specific direction for the switches to use for closing the MSIVs.

05000499/LER-2013-0037 January 201310 CFR 50.73(a)(2)(i)(B), Prohibited by Technical Specifications

With Essential Cooling Water (ECW) Pump 2B unknowingly inoperable, the plant staff was unaware that the associated Limiting Conditions of Operation (LCO) were not met when Unit 2 reached greater than 5% rated thermal power and entered Mode 1 on 01/07/2013 at 0053, in violation of LCO 3.0.4. This event is considered reportable under 10 CFR 50.73(a)(2)(i)(B).

On 01/06/2013 at 2100, just prior to the mode change, a temperature excursion began on the ECW Pump 2B lower motor bearing, which peaked below the alarm setpoint before returning to normal by 01/07/2013 at 0125.

This excursion was identified on 01/14/2013. Analysis of subsequent vibration data indicated a bearing defect with a step increase in vibration data. Without reasonable assurance that the pump would meet its mission time, ECW Pump 2B was declared inoperable on 01/15/2013 at 1200. Due to lack of any other abnormal temperature or vibration data available for the degraded condition, the pump is considered to have been inoperable since the start of the temperature excursion.

The bearing degradation was due to insufficient tolerance in the motor shaft endplay, as set during refurbishment.

Corrective actions are planned to specify this design parameter for subsequent refurbishments, and to increase endplay adjustment shim thickness in the affected ECW pump motors to reduce bearing wear.

05000499/LER-2013-00210 CFR 50.73(a)(2)(iv)(A), System Actuation
10 CFR 50.73(a)(2)(vii), Common Cause Inoperability

2A Main Transformer (MT2A) occurred resulting in a Unit 2 automatic trip and partial loss of offsite power. Pressure from the fault ruptured the transformer tank and the oil ignited. The onsite fire brigade responded, and the fire suppression system worked as designed. The fire was extinguished at 16:56. There were no injuries and no radiological impacts to the public or station personnel.

An Unusual Event was declared at 16:55 CST for initiating condition HU-2, "Fire or explosion in protected area or switchyard which affects normal plant operations". Local, county, and state offices were notified as required, and the Unusual Event was terminated at 19:47 CST, after the partial loss of offsite power was restored.

Failure analysis concluded the most likely cause was an internal ground fault or an internal turn-to-turn fault inside the "C" phase high voltage windings due to untimely degradation of the paper insulation from the cumulative effects of pass- through faults, elevated temperatures, elevated moisture, and grid disturbances over a period of years. The damage to the transformer challenged a determination of the direct root cause of the fault. If warranted, the root cause report and LER will be revised after failure evaluation forensics are complete.

Corrective actions include replacement of MT2A with an on-hand spare, installation of wireless monitoring and notification features for the online dissolved gas monitors, approval for future replacement of all four main transformers with new units to support reliable operation through the end of the currently projected plant life, and implementation of a Large Equipment Asset Management process.

05000499/LER-2013-0014 January 201310 CFR 50.73(a)(2)(iv)(A), System Actuation

At 07:05 on 1/4/2013, Unit 2, while at 100% power, commenced surveillances OPSP03-RS-0004 and OPSP03-RS-0001 to satisfy the monthly requirements of Technical Specification 4.1.3.1.2. and to demonstrate the shutdown and control rods are Operable by movement of at least 10 steps in any one direction.

During testing, two rods on shutdown bank E (SBE) dropped to the bottom of the core and a manual reactor trip was required. The dropped rods on SBE occurred while inserting shutdown bank C (SBC) rods in 6 steps. After SBE rod M-8 dropped, rod motion was stopped. While validating the dropped rod, a second rod, D-8, in SBE dropped. At 09:41, once both dropped rods were validated by diverse indications of power, flux, and rod positions, a manual reactor trip was performed. Troubleshooting identified the problem as high resistance on Rod Holdout Mode Selector (RHMS) switch contacts in Rod Control Power Cabinet SCDE when the contacts should have been closed. This blocked the multiplexing signal to the SBE Stationary Regulation card resulting in dropped rods.

This condition is considered reportable under 10 CFR 50.73(a)(2)(iv)(A), any event or condition that resulted in manual or automatic actuation of any of the systems listed in paragraph 10 CFR 50.73(a)(2)(iv)(B). There were no personnel injuries, no offsite radiological releases, and no damage to safety-related equipment associated with this condition. This condition did not have an adverse effect on the health and safety of the public.

05000499/LER-2011-00330 January 201110 CFR 50.73(a)(2)(v)(C), Loss of Safety Function - Release of Radioactive Material
10 CFR 50.73(a)(2)(vii), Common Cause Inoperability
10 CFR 50.73(a)(2)(i)(B), Prohibited by Technical Specifications

On November 20, 2011 at 0546 hours (CS'), STP Unit 2 transitioned modes from Mode 4 to Mode 3. Prior to the mode change, the Solid State Protection System (SSPS) generated turbine trip signals were defeated by a maintenance work activity that installed a jumper in both channels (Train R and S) of non-class relays to the turbine trip circuit. The SSPS signals to the non-class relays that were defeated by the jumpers included the turbine trip from reactor trip breakers open (P-4), turbine trip from a reactor trip signal (P-16), and the turbine trip from Steam Generator HI-HI (P-14). In accordance with Technical Specification (TS) 3.3.2 Item 5a and 5b, P-4 and P-14 are required in Modes 1, 2, and 3. The jumpers were removed around 0930 on November 20, 2011 with U2 still in Mode 3. Since Unit 2 had changed Modes from 4 to 3 with TS 3.3.2 Item 5a and 5b and the associated Limiting Conditions of Operation (LCO) Actions not met, this is a condition prohibited by Technical Specification 3.0.4. A review of the performance of this activity in previous outages was conducted. It was identified that a similar event had occurred during 2RE14 in April of 2010. This event, including the one in April 2010, was reported as required by 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(v) parts (C) and (D).

The Cause of the event was determined to involve the revision of the associated maintenance work activity's Preventive Maintenance Instruction (PMI). Specifically, the MODE requirement prerequisites in the PMI were revised without full consideration of the Operational restrictions associated with changing plant conditions during procedure performance. The corrective action to prevent reoccurrence includes removing the mode restrictive steps of the associated PMI while adding them to the 7300 ProtectionSystem Channel Trip Function Bypass procedure.

There were no personnel injuries, no offsite radiological releases, and no damage to safety-related equipment associated with this condition. This condition did not have an adverse effect on the health and safety of the public.

05000499/LER-2011-00210 CFR 50.73(a)(2)(iv)(A), System Actuation

On 11/26/11 at 2121 hours, Unit 2 received the Stator Coil Water (SCW) Differential Temperature high alarm. The crew determined generator thermocouple T6144 on the SCW outlet of Coil 33T was reading higher than the other thermocouples. l&C Technicians conducting a local check subsequently reported the Coil 33T thermocouple was reading within the differential temperature band. On 11/27 multiple Generator Condition Monitoring (GCM) alarms were received. The operating crew subsequently removed the Coil 33T thermocouple from service by substituting a known value. At 0310 on 11/29/11 a Stator Cooling Water trouble alarm was received. Th- Unit 2 Reactor tripped at 0329 hours on 11/29/11 due to Main Generator Lockout. An initial inspection of the main generator revealed significant stator coil damage. Approximately three feet of stator Coil 33T (top coil in slot 33) was melted or missing on the exciter end.

The failure analysis determined the most likely cause was a very small leak in a hollow strand in Coil 33T. Analysis supports that this leak existed for a long time and allowed moisture to travel inside the coil. The moisture degraded the resin in the coil allowing the conductor bundle to come loose. This condition allowed some individual conductor strands to move and vibrate. The strand-to-strand vibrations wore away the insulation and created shorts. The shorts caused excessive heating. The affected area grew due to thermal damage until the coil arced across the missing melted area. The potential exists that the small leak was located in the portion of the coil that is melted/missing. If so, it will not be possible to ascertain the root cause of the leak. After the final failure analysis reports are received, the root cause report and LER will be evaluated and revised if warranted.

This condition is considered reportable under 10 CFR 50.73(a)(2)(iv)(A), any event or condition that resulted in manual or automatic actuation of any of the systems listed in paragraph 10 CFR 50.73(a)(2)(iv)(B). There were no personnel injuries, no offsite radiological releases, and no damage to safety-related equipment associated with this condition. This condition did not have an adverse effect on the health and safety of the public.

05000499/LER-2011-00110 CFR 50.73(a)(2)(i)(B), Prohibited by Technical Specifications

On May 14, Class 1E 4.16 kV Bus E2B was declared inoperable due to load center (LC) voltage being greater than Engineering Safety Features (ESF) Power Availability surveillance procedure acceptance criteria. Per the Integrated Computer System (ICS), Class 1 E 4.16 kV ESF Bus E2B was inoperable longer than allowed by Technical Specifications. The associated ESF buses were inoperable longer than allowed by Technical Specifications. Therefore, this condition is reportable as a condition prohibited by Technical Specifications.

The Root Causes are: 1) the range of voltage allowed by the bandwidth of the Load Tap Changers (LTC) on the Unit Auxiliary Transformer and the ESF B Transformers was not conservatively modeled; 2) The Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA) for the ESF Transformer LTC was inadequate; and 3)Management oversight did not have a method to identify, classify, control and monitor highly complex modifications.

The associated corrective actions are as follows: 1) Develop and issue an electrical design calculation methodology guideline or procedure; 2) Develop and issue a guideline or a procedure for completing a Failure Modes and Effects Analysis and 3) Define complex modifications in the design change procedure including defining the requirements for management oversight over providing adequate resources, development of project schedules, and ensuring site involvement in reviews of project documents.

There were no personnel injuries, no offsite radiological releases, and no damage to safety-related equipment associated with this condition. This condition did not have an adverse effect on the health and safety of the public.

05000499/LER-2008-00116 October 200810 CFR 50.73(a)(2)(i)(B), Prohibited by Technical Specifications

On October 16, 2008, while planning fuel movements in the Unit 2 spent fuel pool (SFP), a Category 11 fuel assembly was discovered in a location where only Category 9 fuel is allowed. Following this discovery, the incorrectly stored fuel was removed from its location and placed in an area of the SFP with no adjacent fuel assemblies. A Category 11 assembly is less reactive than a Category 9 assembly, and the as-found configuration was bounded by the safety analysis.

The investigation identified that the error occurred in the mapping of the SFP storage configuration, which is subsequently used to create fuel transfer forms (FTF). Both the FTF preparer and verifier performed inadequate self checking and review. Contributing factors included a lack of detailed written guidance for performing this task and that the Reactor Engineer (RE) preparing the FTF did not realize that some fuel assemblies had decayed directly from a Category 8 to a Category 11. This resulted in fuel moves that stored a Category 11 assembly adjacent to Category 9 assemblies, which is not permitted by the Technical Specifications. A procedural guideline to control the process of developing the SFP configuration map is being developed to prevent future occurrences. In addition, all individuals who are responsible for performing this task were briefed on management expectations related to preparation, peer checking, and attention to detail. Both Unit 1 and Unit 2 SFPs were checked for a similar condition. No other occurrences of incorrectly stored fuel were identified.

NRC FORM 366 (9-2007) PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER

05000499/LER-2007-00114 March 200710 CFR 50.73(a)(2)(i)(B), Prohibited by Technical Specifications

On March 5, 2007, Unit 2 Auxiliary Feedwater Pump 23 was started for a post maintenance test. During the test, it was noted that the pump discharge flow was not as expected. Investigation determined that the closed Long Path Recirculation Isolation Valve 2-AF-0092 was leaking by its seat. It was determined that there was no lubrication of the portion of the valve stem just below the actuator. When the valve actuator was disassembled, the stem nut was found broken into two pieces. The valve was repaired and lubricated on March 9, 2007.

The operational impact of this condition was that the design bases flow to the steam generator was not achieved for this condition such that Auxiliary Feedwater Pump 23 and its associated flow path were inoperable. On March, 14, 2007 it was determined that this condition existed for a period of time longer than the allowed outage time of the Technical Specifications.

The cause of the stem nut failing is that no periodic preventive maintenance existed to lubricate the stem.

Corrective actions include (1) repair and lubrication of 2-AF-0092, (2) verification of the functionality of the long path recirculation isolation valves for each AFW System train in both units, (3) cleaning, lubrication and inspection of auxiliary feedwater system long path recirculation isolation valves in both units, (4) review of the adequacy of current preventive maintenance scope and frequencies of risk-significant valves in the auxiliary feedwater system and (5) revision of surveillance procedures to include testing to verify that the auxiliary feedwater flow path long path recirculation isolation valves do not have seat leakage.

This event resulted in no personnel injuries, no offsite radiological releases, and no damage to other safety-related equipment. The event was of very low safety significance.

05000499/LER-2005-00331 March 200410 CFR 50.73(a)(2)(vii), Common Cause Inoperability
10 CFR 50.73(a)(2)(i)(B), Prohibited by Technical Specifications

On Monday, March 7, 2005, preparations were being made to implement a modification to Unit 1 during its refueling outage. Isolation of two actuation cabinets of the Solid State Protection System was required to complete the modification. Prior to isolation, it was determined that this would make the Cold Overpressurization Mitigation System (COMS) inoperable when Technical Specification 3.4.9.3 required that it be operable. This was resolved by rescheduling the system isolation. Subsequent review found that while installing a similar modification on Unit 2 during the preceding Unit 2 refueling outage, two actuation cabinets were de-energized, making COMS inoperable without compensatory action as required by Technical Specifications. This was found to be reportable on March 11, 2005.

The root cause of this event was that the operational impact on COMS of de-energizing the 'A' and 'B' SSPS actuation cabinets for maintenance was not recognized. Detailed information regarding which equipment/components would be affected was not readily available in a usable format for review. , For corrective action, a load list will be developed for each of the Solid State Protection System actuation cabinets identifying the affected components and their state when the cabinet is de-energized. This information will be included in the applicable operating procedure. As a compensatory action until the corrective action is completed, the system engineer will be contacted to confirm the extent of impact on plant equipment/components prior to implementation of scheduled work activities that include de-energizing SSPS equipment.

This event resulted in no personnel injuries, no offsite radiological releases, and no damage to other safety-related equipment.

05000499/LER-2003-00310 CFR 50.73(a)(2)(i)(B), Prohibited by Technical Specifications

On Tuesday, December 9, 2003, a monthly surveillance test was being performed on Standby Diesel Generator 22. U Unit 2 was operating in Mode 1 at 100% power. At approximately 1038, Standby Diesel Generator 22 experienced a mechanical failure in which the position 9 Master Connecting Rod fractured.

This occurred approximately 18 minutes after the diesel generator was loaded to 100% during the surveillance. The failure caused significant peripheral damage to the cylinders, pistons, frame, control systems, lubrication system, crankshaft, and bearings on the engine, as well as the starting air system components located adjacent to the engine.

The root cause of the failure is microcracks that developed on the position 9 Master Connecting Rod during the manufacturing process. The microcracks later propagated due to high cycle fatigue until the master connecting rod failed.

Corrective actions include inspection of the master connecting rods of all Standby Diesel Generators to ensure that similar cracking had not occurred elsewhere.

This event resulted in no personnel injuries, no offsite radiological releases, and no damage to other safety-related equipment. Unit 2 continued to operate at 100% power after the event.

05000499/LER-2003-00110 CFR 50.73(a)(2)(i)(B), Prohibited by Technical Specifications

On January 25, 2003 with Unit 2 in MODE 5, 2-RH-MOV-0060C, Loop C RHR pump suction valve, failed to open. 2-RH-MOV-0060C failed when the motor stalled and overheated causing the breaker to trip. This motor failure was caused by the motor pinion gear sliding down the motor shaft and contacting the de- clutching mechanism resulting in increased frictional loading. The motor pinion set-screw was not installed correctly in the drilled recess on the shaft. Consequently, when the motor was energized the pinion gear was thrust into the declutching mechanism. Coincident with this condition, the pinion key was also observed to be partially disengaged from the motor shaft keyway; however, this discrepancy was determined not to have contributed to the failure.

Corrective actions include rework of MOV-0060C, inspection and repair as required of all potentially affected Unit 1 and Unit 2 motor operated valves (MOVs), and confirmation that the maintenance procedures for MOVs is adequate to assure proper installation of the setscrews.

This event resulted in no personnel injuries, offsite radiological releases or damage to safety related equipment other than MOV-0060C.

05000499/LER-2002-00415 December 200210 CFR 50.73(a)(2)(iv)(A), System Actuation

At 1808 hours on December 15, 2002, Unit 2 was at 100% power when it was manually tripped due to excessive vibration in Low Pressure Turbine 22. Subsequent investigation identified that a blade had cracked and broken off and was ejected from the low pressure turbine into the condenser. Additional cracked blades were found in Low Pressure Turbines 22 and 23.

The cause of the blade cracking was a design flaw with the rotor train (natural frequency modes near 120 Hz) and a faulty new generator rotor (differences between old and new rotor cause increased rotor train response). These flaws were not recognized by the vendor, Siemens-Westinghouse, due to errors in their modeling of the Turbine-Generator rotor system. Corrective actions include repairing the Unit 2 rotor system and damaged blades, installing vibration monitoring equipment, and evaluating the data taken during and after the Unit 2 restart. Subsequent studies confirmed that the corrective actions were effective in reducing torsional vibrations and the plant has operated continuously since March 2003.

This event resulted in no personnel injuries, offsite radiological releases or damage to safety related equipment. There were no challenges to plant safety and the plant responded as expected.

05000499/LER-2002-0037 July 2002

On July 7, 2002 Unit 2 was operating in Mode 1 at 100% power. The Unit 2 main turbine generator tripped automatically due to a High-High level in the 2B steam generator (SG). The reactor tripped automatically as a result of the main turbine trip. The trips occurred shortly after the Channel II inverter and distribution panel de-energized. The loss of the distribution panel and inverter resulted in the loss of power to the instrumentation channels selected to control narrow range steam generator water level. This failure resulted in loss of SG level signal to all four SG Main Feedwater Regulating Valve (MFRV) control circuits because they were all selected to the same channel. This caused the MFRVs to go fully open. With the MFRVs fully open, water level increased in all four steam generators. Steam generator 2B reached its high-high level set point resulting in the main turbine trip and the feedwater isolation signal.

The cause of the inverter failure and distribution panel loss of power was a change in breaker E2D11/3A characteristics. As the breaker has aged, the time differential between opening of the breaker contacts has increased.

As a result, the contact opening has become more sequential and less simultaneous. The second cause of the reactor trip was having all four steam generator level control switches aligned to a single control channel coupled with the loss of power to instruments on that channel. Corrective actions include splitting the SG level channels to two separate control channels, revising a procedure to deselect the channel affected by the battery charger swap at the SG level controls and inverter replacement. Additionally, the installation and testing of suppression diodes to Class lE battery charger relays was included. This event resulted in no personnel injuries, offsite radiological releases or damage to safety related equipment. There were no challenges to plant safety and the plant responded as expected.

05000499/LER-2002-002

On June 14, 2002 Unit 2 was operating in Mode 1 at 100% power. At approximately 0435 Unit 2 lost feedwater flow to steam generator 2C during the performance of Feedwater Valve Operability Test. This test performs a partial stroke of the feedwater isolation valve from 100 percent open to 90 percent open.

During the test the valve failed closed. After verifying there was no indication of feedwater flow to the 2C steam generator, the Unit Supervisor directed the Reactor Operator to manually trip the reactor. The reactor was in the tripped condition approximately 15 seconds following closure of the feedwater isolation valve (FWIV). The unexpected closure of the 2C feedwater isolation valve resulted from a blown fuse in the class-1E control circuit for the B-train safety solenoid for the 2C isolation valve. The blown fuse was the result of a shorted rectifier assembly used for surge suppression on the B-train safety solenoid for the 2C FWIV.

This event resulted in no personnel injuries, offsite radiological releases or damage to important safety related equipment. Following the reactor trip, auxiliary feedwater automatically actuated as expected.

There were no human performance issues or challenges to plant safety and the plant responded as expected.

05000499/LER-1999-006, Forwards LER 99-006-00,re Entry Into TS 3.0.3.Licensee Commitments Listed in Corrective Actions Section of Attachment30 September 1999
05000499/LER-1999-005, Forwards LER 99-005-00,re Esfa Following Loss of Power to Standby Transformer 2 Due to Electrical Fault.Licensee Commitments Are Listed in Corrective Actions Section of LER20 September 1999
05000499/LER-1999-004, Forwards LER 99-004-00 Re non-compliance with TS 3.9.4 in That It Was Not Possible to Close Min of One of Personnel Air Lock Doors within 30 Minutes.Licensee Commitments Listed in Corrective Action Section of Attachment5 May 1999
05000499/LER-1999-003, Forwards LER 99-003-00 Re Esfa & Entry Into TS 3.0.3 Following Partial Loss of Offsite Power Due to Fault in Switchyard Circuit Breaker.Licensee Commitments Are Listed in Corrective Actions Section of LER9 April 1999
05000499/LER-1999-002, Forwards LER 99-002-00 Re Unit 2 Automatic Reactor Trip,Due to Loss of Power to Turbine Control Sys.Event Did Not Have Adverse Effect on Health & Safety of Public.Commitments Are Contained in Corrective Action Section of Encl18 February 1999
05000499/LER-1998-004, Forwards LER 98-004-00,re Completion of Plant SD Required by TS 3.3.2.Commitments Made by Util Are Found in Corrective Action Section of Attachment26 January 1999
05000499/LER-1998-002, Forwards LER 98-002-00,re Automatic Reactor Trip Due to low-low Level in SG 2A.Commitments Made by Util Are in Corrective Actions Section15 October 1998
05000499/LER-1998-001, Forwards LER 98-001-00 Re Failure to Meet TS Requirements for Inoperable Sdg 21.LER Meets Special Rept Requirements of STP TS 4.8.1.1.3 & 6.9.2 Re Valid Failure of Sdg 21 on 97122816 February 1998
05000499/LER-1997-007, Forwards LER 97-007-00,for Stp,Unit 2 Re Manual Reactor Trip Due to Loss of Inventory in SG 2D.Commitments Listed18 December 1997
05000499/LER-1997-003, Forwards LER 97-003-01,failure to Meet Requirements of TS 4.5.2.c Re Surveillance Insp of Containment for Loose Debris28 April 1997
05000499/LER-1997-002, Forwards LER 97-002-00,for Hlp Re All Four Steam Generators Being Classified Category C-313 March 1997
05000499/LER-1995-005, Forwards LER 95-005.Event Did Not Have Adverse Effect on Health & Safety of Public,But Clearly Does Not Meet Stds for Expected Performance11 May 1995
05000499/LER-1995-003, Forwards LER 95-003 Re Rt on Over Temp/Delta Temp Due to Failed Fuse Holder26 April 1995
05000499/LER-1995-002, Forwards Rev 1 to LER 95-002 Re Incorrect Application of Static Shift to Pressurizer Level Channel LT-04675 June 1995
05000499/LER-1995-001, Forwards LER 95-001 Re Potential Slight Degradation of Decay Heat Removal Capacity Via Natural Circulation12 April 1995
05000499/LER-1994-005, Forwards Rev 5 to LER 94-005 Re Inadvertent test-mode Starts of Sdgs Attributed to Electronic Noise.Rev Includes Details from Recent Inadvertent test-mode Start & Corrective Actions in Progress to Address Root Cause31 August 1995
05000499/LER-1993-01317 August 1993
05000499/LER-1993-011, Forwards Rev 1 to Voluntary LER 93-011 Re Pressurizer Safety Valve (Psv) & MSSV Setpoints Outside Required Tolerance.Rev Incorporates Info Re MSSV & Psv Setpoints Found Out of Tolerance During Past Outages14 February 1995
05000499/LER-1993-006, Forwards LER 93-006,Rev 1 Re TS Violation Due to Train a Cold Leg Low Head SI MOV Being Inoperable for Greater than 72 H.Rev Documents Change in Identified Cause of Valve Motor Failure in Feb of 199322 September 1994
05000499/LER-1992-009, Forwards Rev 1 to LER 92-009 Re Missed TS Required Surveillance Due to Faulty Toxic Gas Monitoring Sys Modem11 October 1993
05000499/LER-1992-007, Forwards LER 92-007-01 Re Unplanned ESF Actuation of Isolation Valve for above-seat Drain Line.Rev Addresses Results of Troubleshooting in Effort to Replicate Conditions Reported to Determine Cause of Event16 December 1992
05000499/LER-1990-008, Forwards LER 90-008-01 Re Plant Shutdown Due to Primary Leakage from Steam Generator Bowl Drain Assembly.Initial Corrective Actions Re Permanent Design Change for Drain Valves May Be Reconsidered17 January 1991
05000498/LER-2017-00222 January 201810 CFR 50.73(a)(2)(i)(B), Prohibited by Technical Specifications

On November 23, 2017, a routine surveillance on the South Texas Unit 1 Train "C" Control Room Makeup and Cleanup Filtration System failed due to the Train "C" control room makeup filtration system heater de-energizing approximately two minutes after actuation. The makeup filtration system heater de-energized due to an improperly configured jumper on a circuit board associated with the Train "C" control room makeup filtration unit outlet low flow switch. The circuit board had been installed with the improperly configured jumper on September 27, 2017. The circuit board was properly configured and returned to service on November 24, 2017.

This resulted in the Train "C" Control Room Makeup and Cleanup Filtration System being inoperable for 58 days; the associated Technical Specification allowed outage time for this condition is 7 days. The cause of the event is the maintenance work instructions did not include steps to: (1) ensure that the circuit board jumper is in the correct position, and (2) conduct a post-maintenance test to ensure proper operation of the heaters. As a corrective action, the applicable maintenance work instructions will be revised to (1) ensure that the circuit board jumper is in the correct position, and (2) conduct a post-maintenance test to ensure proper operation of the heaters.

05000498/LER-2017-00110 March 2017
11 May 2017
10 CFR 50.73(a)(2)(i)(B), Prohibited by Technical Specifications

On March 10, 2017, during a Technical Specification surveillance, the as-found operating time of one of four undervoltage timing relays in a Safety related 4.16kV switchgear was greater than the Technical Specification allowable value. The relay was retested without making any changes to the relay timing or the test configuration.

The second test resulted in a lower value that was within the Technical Specification allowable value but outside the acceptance criteria of the procedure. A third test (and subsequent follow-up testing) resulted in values that met Technical Specification limits. The associated channel was declared Operable.

On March 14, 2017, an engineer reviewed the surveillance results and questioned the reliability of the relay based on its behavior. The Control Room was contacted and the relay was replaced. Based on the engineer's analysis, the Shift Manager determined that the relay should not have been declared Operable on March 10. The Technical Specification Action Statement required the inoperable channel to be placed in the tripped condition within 72 hours. This Action was not met and is reportable as a condition prohibited by Technical Specifications per 10 CFR 50.73(a)(2)(i)(B). The event was of very low risk significance and no radioactive release occurred; therefore, there was no adverse effect on the health and safety of the public.

05000498/LER-2016-0021 May 2016
29 June 2016
10 CFR 50.73(a)(2)(iv)(A), System Actuation

On May 1, 2016 at 2020 hours, STP Unit 1 experienced a Main Generator lockout due to a ground relay actuation resulting in an automatic turbine trip that lead to an automatic reactor trip. Visual inspections revealed that a rubber boot located where Main Generator phase B enters the isolated phase bus duct was degraded. A piece of the boot was hanging down and intermittently contacting the generator bushing causing a resistance path to ground, resulting in a Main Generator lockout and turbine trip signal. With the reactor at greater than fifty percent power, the automatic reactor trip was initiated in response to the turbine trip. The Auxiliary Feedwater (AFW) system actuated in response to low Steam Generator level. All safety systems operated as expected.

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As immediate corrective actions, the A, B and C phase rubber boots were replaced in Unit 1. The cause evaluation determined that the design of the rubber boot and its retaining ring is inadequate. Design change packages are being developed to permanently remove the rubber boots and retaining rings for both Unit 1 and Unit 2.

The automatic actuation of the Reactor Protection System and automatic AFW actuation are both reportable under 10 CFR 50.73(a)(2)(iv)(A). The event was of very low risk significance and no radioactive release occurred; therefore, there was no adverse effect on the health and safety of the public.

05000498/LER-2016-00126 January 2016
22 March 2016
10 CFR 50.73(a)(2)(iv)(A), System Actuation

On January 26, 2016, at 2324 hours, the Control Room received a Steam Generator Steam Flow/Feed Flow mismatch alarm. Operators found Steam Generator (SG) Train C Feedwater Regulating Valve closed and in manual. SG C Feedwater Regulating Valve could not be manually reopened. At 2325 hours, Operators manually tripped the Unit 1 reactor due to lowering level on SG C. The Auxiliary Feedwater (AFW) system automatically actuated on a SG low level signal and operators took manual control of AFW at 2327 hours.

The cause of loss of Main Feedwater to SG C was a failure of the Manual 7300 Series Tracking Driver (NTD) circuit card which forced SG C Feedwater Regulating Valve-closed and prevented the operators from taking manual control or switching back to automatic valve control. As a corrective action, the Manual NTD circuit card was replaced. The manual actuation of the Reactor Protection System and subsequent automatic AFW actuation are both reportable under 10 CFR 50.73(a)(2)(iv)(A). The event was of very low risk significance and no radioactive release occurred; therefore, there was no adverse effect on the health and safety of the public.

05000498/LER-2015-00121 December 201510 CFR 50.73(a)(2)(iv)(A), System Actuation

On December 21, 2015, at 1519 hours, Operators manually tripped the Unit 1 Main Turbine due to excessive load swings caused by Main Turbine Governor Valve 2 (GV2) oscillations. Prior to and following the trip of the Main Turbine, the Steam Dumps did not respond as expected, resulting in a Main Feedwater Isolation at 1524 hours due to rising Steam Generator (SG) level. Operators initiated a manual reactor trip at 1533 hours due to lowering SG levels. Approximately six seconds after the reactor trip, the Auxiliary Feedwater (AFW) system automatically actuated on a SG low level signal.

The cause of the GV2 oscillations was an intermittent ground on the signal wire to the Linear Variable Differential Transmitter (LVDT) for GV2. The fluctuations in steam flow due to the GV2 oscillations caused the spring clips in the valve positioners that modulate the Group 1 Steam Dumps to become dislodged, causing the Group 1 Steam Dumps to be unresponsive. As corrective actions, the LVDT and associated cabling for GV2 was replaced and the Group 1 Steam Dump valve positioners were repaired. The manual actuation of the Reactor Protection System and subsequent automatic AFW actuation are both reportable under 10 CFR 50.73(a)(2)(iv)(A). The event was of very low risk significance and no radioactive release occurred; therefore, there was no adverse effect on the health and safety of the public.

05000498/LER-2013-00331 October 201310 CFR 50.73(a)(2)(ii)(B), Unanalyzed Condition
10 CFR 50.73(a)(2)(v), Loss of Safety Function

On October 31, 2013, at approximately 1834 Central Daylight Time during review of industry operating experience, South Texas Project (STP) determined an unanalyzed condition exists related to the Control Room (CR) fire analysis. The original design of ammeter circuits which provide CR current indication for the non-Class 48 VDC battery and battery charger circuits and for the non-Class turbine lube oil emergency pump control circuit does not include overcurrent protection features to limit fault current. In the postulated event, a fire in the CR could cause a ground loop through unprotected ammeter wiring or control circuit wiring and potentially result in excessive current flow and heating to the point of causing a secondary fire outside the CR in the cable raceways.

The postulated secondary fire could affect the availability of equipment needed to place the plant in a safe shutdown condition during a CR fire event. This scenario has not been analyzed in accordance with 10 CFR 50 Appendix R. Compensatory fire watch measures have been implemented and remain in place for the affected fire zones in the plant.

The cause was determined to be that the original design of the affected CR circuits did not adequately address fire protection program requirements. A design change is planned to correct the latent design deficiencies by providing circuit protection on affected CR circuits.

05000498/LER-2013-00210 CFR 50.73(a)(2)(i)(B), Prohibited by Technical Specifications

On May 20, 2013 with Unit 1 in Mode 1 at 100 percent power, the auxiliary feedwater (AFW) flow loop 4 channel D high limit was found low out of tolerance during the performance of a scheduled surveillance. This condition resulted in the flow control valve for steam turbine-driven AFW pump not being capable of providing required flow to its respective steam generator under all accident conditions thus making the pump and flow regulating valve inoperable. Subsequently, it was determined that this condition had existed since December 14, 2012 during an earlier troubleshooting activity. The affected components were inoperable for a period longer than permitted by Technical Specifications. The steam turbine-driven AFW pump and flow regulating valve were restored to operable status on May 21, 2013. The overall AFW system safety function was met because multiple trains of AFW were available during this period. This condition was determined to be reportable on May 29, 2013.

The cause of this event was that procedures were not implemented properly due to unclear requirements.

Corrective actions include clarification of procedure guidance.

The risk significance of the event is considered very small. This event did not result in any offsite release of radioactivity or increase in offsite dose rates. There were no personnel injuries or damage to any other safety-related equipment.

05000498/LER-2013-00117 April 201310 CFR 50.73(a)(2)(i)(B), Prohibited by Technical Specifications

On May 1, 2013, during performance of a routine surveillance, maintenance personnel determined that the Channel A Overpower Delta Temperature (OPDT) reactor trip setpoint Delta-Flux Penalty summing amplifier (NSA card) had failed low, effectively disabling the associated OPDT setpoint correction, which caused Delta Temperature / T-Average Channel A to be inoperable. Further investigation determined that there was evidence that the failure occurred on April 17, 2013. Thus, the Delta Temperature / T-Average channel was inoperable for approximately fifteen days, which is longer than permitted by Technical Specifications 3.3.1 and 3.3.2.

The failed circuit card replacement was completed on May 2, 2013 and after satisfactory surveillance testing on May 3, 2013, Delta-Temperature / T-Average Channel A was declared operable.

The risk significance of the event is considered very small. This event did not result in any offsite release of radioactivity or increase of offsite dose rates, and there were no personnel injuries or damage to any other safety- related equipment associated with this event.

The cause of the failure was determined to be random electronic component failure. Corrective actions will include revision to the channel check surveillance procedure to reduce the allowable acceptance criteria range for the OPDT setpoint.

05000498/LER-2011-00110 CFR 50.73(a)(2)(i)(B), Prohibited by Technical Specifications

On April 30, 2011, South Texas Project (STP) Unit 1 was in refueling outage 1RE16, with the unit in Mode 5, Reactor Coolant System loops not filled. In support of a planned evolution to transfer water from the 1B Recycle Holdup Tank (RHT) to the Volume Control Tank, a Senior Reactor Operator (SRO) assigned to review atypical plant conditions during the outage identified a potential dilution source that was not included in the plant surveillance procedure used to confirm compliance with Technical Specification 3.4.1.4.2 regarding unborated water sources. Although the valves were not secured closed as required by TS, the valves were closed and no dilution occurred.

Technical Specifications were revised in 2003 to remove references to specific valves required to be isolated with respect to unborated water sources and replaced with more generic language. However, the impact of using the RHT as a fill source was not adequately addressed with respect to compliance with the new TS requirements, and thus the surveillance procedure used to ensure compliance did not address all unborated water sources. Because the same TS, plant procedures, and administrative controls applied to both units, Unit 2 was similarly affected.

The corrective action was to revise the plant surveillance procedure used by both Units to ensure compliance with TS 3.4.1.4.2 and TS 3.9.1 to reflect the additional valves that must be secured in the closed position to comply with the TS. This corrective action was implemented in accordance with the STP Corrective Action Program.

There were no personnel injuries, no offsite radiological releases, and no damage to safety-related equipment associated with this event. This event did not have an adverse effect on the health and safety of the public.

05000498/LER-2009-00124 February 200910 CFR 50.73(a)(2)(i)(B), Prohibited by Technical Specifications

On 02/24/2009 Unit 1 was in Mode 1. Essential Chiller 12C was out of service for planned maintenance.

Essential Chiller 12B was running and was secured in preparation for chiller train rotation at 13:51. At 22:28, Essential Chiller 12B oil reservoir temperature was found to be 108°F which is below the required minimum temperature of 120°F. Essential Chiller 12B was found to be inoperable from the time it was secured at 13:51 due to inadequate calibration of the oil heater thermostat completed on 2/17/09. Operability of Essential Chiller 12C was restored at 2126 on 02/24/09. This condition resulted in two Essential Chillers being inoperable for 7 hours 35 minutes without initiating a unit shutdown. This event is reportable under 10CFR 50.73(a)(2)(i)(B) because the two trains were inoperable longer than allowed by Technical Specification 3.7.14 without taking appropriate action.

The root cause of the low oil temperature condition on Essential Chiller 12B was the lack of an oil heater thermostat calibration procedure that was specific to the Essential Chillers. Corrective actions include revision of the calibration procedure and planning model. This event resulted in no personnel injuries, no offsite radiological releases, and no damage to other safety related equipment.