Part 21 Report - 2001-160

ABB

April 10, 2001

Document Control Desk
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Washington, DC 20555

Subject: Product Advisory Letter PAL041001 Report of Potential Defect per 10CFR Part 21 Type CV-7 Relays

Notification By:

ABB Automation Inc.
Substation Automation and Protection Division
4300 Coral Ridge Drive
Coral Springs, FL 3306

This letter is to notify you of a potential defect concerning our Class 1E type CV-7 Relay.

In November of 1999 Duke Energy Corp. returned four of our Class 1 E CV-7 relays for an analysis and repair. These four relays were cracked and/or broken at the base of the plastic pedestal used to mount a plate retaining two telephone relays.

The analysis and further investigation of this defect concluded the cause of failure was "shipping damage." We have since redesigned the telephone relay mounting plate and have validated its design. It must be noted that in no way is the previous design's seismic qualification in question.

An evaluation of the potential for damage to occur during shipment prompted this notification. This notification pertains to only those CV-7 relays with two telephone relays assembled to the plate. The affected styles are 1454C77A02, A08, and A11.

All customers who our records indicate have purchased these relay styles shall be notified promptly. These customers will be instructed to make a visual inspection of the product and return it to our facility for repair if required.

Questions concerning this notification letter should be directed to the Quality Manager at the Substation Automation & Protection Division at 954-752-6700 or Fax 954-345-5329.

Russ Gonnam	Manlinda Ruiz
Quality Manager	General Manager

ABB Automation Inc.
Substation Automation & Protection Division
4300 Coral Ridge Drive
Coral Springs, FL 33065
Telephone: (954) 752-6700
Telefax: (954) 345-5329