Morning Report for September 22, 2003

Headquarters Daily Report

• REGION II
• REGION III

REGION II

AGE-RELATED FAILURE IN GE HFA RELAYS

Licensee/Facility: TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY Browns Ferry 1, Browns Ferry 2, Browns Ferry 3 CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee Dockets: 05000259, 05000260, 05000296 [1] GE-4, [2] GE-4, [3] GE-4 License No:

Notification: MR Number: 2-2003-0023 Date: 09/22/2003 Call from Licensee

Discussion:

During surveillance testing of the Browns Ferry Unit 1/ 2, "D" emergency diesel generator (EDG) on September 16, 2003, a General Electric (GE) type HFA relay in the manual governor control system did not respond properly. Trouble shooting identified that the plastic (Lexan) end of the relay coil had broken and slid down which prevented the relay contacts from closing when the relay was actuated. The licensee's evaluation determined that the failure of the relay would not have affected the EDG automatic start function. The licensee inspected approximately 40 of these relays for the other EDGs and found two similar conditions. The Lexan coil end of an auto start relay for the Unit 1/ 2 "A" EDG was found to be broken, however, it had not interfered with operation of the relay. Also, a relay for the Unit 3 "EA" EDG had two small cracks in the Lexan coil end. This was a spare relay and would not have affected EDG operation. All three of these EDG relays are normally de-energized. The licensee is currently reviewing other applications of GE HFA relays and developing additional actions for their "extent of condition" review. They have identified approximately 1300 -1400 similar relays and are developing visual non-intrusive inspections on a priority basis to begin on September 22.

Regional Action:

The NRC has reviewed the licensee's action to address the three damaged GE HFA relays. Additional licensee actions to address the generic implications of these relay failures are also being reviewed by the NRC.

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REGION III

Nuclear Management Company (NMC) Names Paul A. Harden as Site Director at the Palisades Nuclear Generating Plant

Licensee/Facility: NUCLEAR MANAGEMENT CO., LLC Palisades COVERT, Michigan Dockets: 05000255 [1] CE License No:

Notification: MR Number: 3-2003-0015 Date: 09/17/2003 Comm from Sr.Mngmnt

Discussion:

On September 17, 2003, Nuclear Management Company announced that the Palisades Nuclear Generating Plant Director Of Engineering, Paul A. Harden, has been promoted to the position of Site Director at Palisades. This appointment was announced as effective immediately.

The Site Director position had been vacant as a result of the recent promotion of the previous Site Director to the Site Vice President position.

As Palisades Site Director, Mr. Harden will be responsible for all plant operational and technical activities on site and will report directly to the Site Vice President.

Accession Numbers:

Accession No	Accession Date
ML032650558	09/17/2003

Contacts:

Name	Office Abbrev	Phone No	E-Mail
E. DUNCAN		(630) 829-9628