Part 21 Report - 2000-250

EVENT TEXT

PART 21 NOTIFICATION -

Pursuant to 10 CFR 21.21(d)(3)(i), Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc., the licensee for Indian Point Unit No. 2 hereby provides initial notification of a defect determined to be reportable under 10 CFR Part 21. The reported condition involves a 2GN23 1800 Amp-hour battery produced by YUASA, Inc. These batteries are used in the 125V DC System, and provide a primary source of 125V DC power to safeguards equipment and logic circuitry at Indian Point. On June 9, 2000, during the performance of a battery load test (PT-R76B), 22 Battery failed its two-hour minimum voltage characteristic (110.2VDC). It also failed to satisfy its required amp-hour capacity (greater than 90%). Following initial troubleshooting activities, similar load capacity failures occurred on June 18 and July 18, 2000. Various load tests and destructive examinations of the battery cells were performed over the next several weeks. A visual examination of the plates and separators did not indicate any discrepancies. However, microscopic analysis of samples obtained from two different positive plates revealed cracks within the positive active material, small pores, and small particle size. This would result in higher internal cell resistance when charging and discharging a battery. These cracks appear to have been produced during the manufacturing operation.