Information Notice No. 87-12:Potential Problems with Metal Clad Circuit Breakers, General Electric Type AKF-2-25
SSINS No.: 6835
IN 87-12
UNITED STATES
NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
OFFICE OF INSPECTION AND ENFORCEMENT
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20555
February 13, 1987
Information Notice No. 87-12: POTENTIAL PROBLEMS WITH METAL CLAD CIRCUIT
BREAKERS, GENERAL ELECTRIC TYPE AKF-2-25
Addressees:
All nuclear power reactor facilities holding an operating license or a
construction permit.
Purpose:
This notice is to alert recipients of potential problems with the General
Electric Company (GE) AKF-2-25 type circuit breakers failing to fully open
on demand. It is expected that recipients will review the information for
applicability to their facilities and consider actions, if appropriate, to
preclude similar problems. However, suggestions contained in this
information notice do not constitute NRC requirements; therefore, no
specific action or written response is required.
Description of Circumstances:
1. Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station
On June 29, 1986, the "A" recirculation pump (RP) motor/generator (NG)
set field breaker (AKF-2-25) failed to trip while the MG was being
removed from service. Licensee investigation revealed that the breaker
was mechanically bound and could not be actuated by rotating the trip
shaft. Because the breaker had not fully opened, the breaker auxiliary
switch "a" contact, which is in series with the shunt trip coil (STC),
did not open the circuit to the STC, which then burned out. Improper
lubrication and misadjustment appeared to be the cause of binding.
On March 15, 1985, the turbine generator field breaker (AKF-2-25)
failed to open when it received a trip signal from its manual control
switch. Examination determined that there was insufficient lubrication
on the link and cam of the centerpole of the breaker and that the
eccentric cam bushing was improperly installed.
On February 9, 1985, the "A" RP MG-set field breaker (AKF-2-25) failed
to open on demand after the "A" RP motor tripped. The control/ATWS STC
was observed to be burned and open circuited. Additionally, the
auxiliary switch that was connected to the breaker trip shaft was
found to have loose mounting bolts and to be damaged. The licensee
determined that mechanical binding and/or auxiliary switch problems
caused the failure of the breaker to trip on demand.
8702110132
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IN 87-12
February 13, 1987
Page 2 of 4
On April 3, 1983, the "B" RP MG-set field breaker (AKF-2-25) failed to
open; consequently, the STC burned out when the "B" RP was secured by
the control room operators. The licensee maintenance personnel found
mechanical binding of the breaker unit, which required partial
disassembly to free the breaker. The licensee determined that the
shunt trip device rotated the trip shaft, thereby starting the trip
action; however, the cam arrangement failed to complete its intended
action and the trip action was interrupted.
2. Dresden Unit 3
On September 2, 1983, personnel could not open the "B" RP MG-set field
breaker (AKF-2-25) and found the STC burned out. The STC was replaced
and the breaker was cleaned and lubricated.
On March 1, 1982, while performing the ATWS surveillance, which
requires tripping and reclosing the field breaker, the plant personnel
found the field breaker inoperable. Plant personnel investigated and
found the operator arm disconnected from the auxiliary contacts. The
arm was reconnected and the surveillance was performed.
Discussion:
On February 21, 1980, the NRC issued an order requiring the installation of
an ATWS RP trip function. Some licensees installed a second STC on the two
RP MG-set field breakers and the necessary instrumentation/logic to cause a
breaker trip when certain parameters are sensed. Pilgrim and Dresden have
this arrangement. Other licensees installed the ATWS trip coils in the 4.16
kV/6.9 kV circuit breakers that supply power to the two MG-sets.
The AKF-2-25 circuit breaker is a field switch without overcurrent
protection. It is a three-pole breaker with the center pole modified
specifically to serve as a dc switch. In the ATWS RP trip function
application, the AKF-2-25 field breaker is equipped with two STCs, one of
which is dedicated to respond to an ATWS demand. Each STC is energized
through a normally open "A" contact that is controlled by the breaker's
moving contacts. The "A" contact is an auxiliary switch that opens when the
breaker is fully open and closes when the breaker is closed (ON position).
The "A" contact is in series with the STC. Thus, when the breaker is closed,
the "A" contact is closed and the STC is ready to trip on receipt of a
signal from the control room or the ATWS logic. The STC is not rated for
continuous duty and will overheat and fail if subjected to full voltage for
more than a few seconds. If a breaker does not fully open when demanded by
an STC, the "A" contact will not open and the STC will overheat and fail.
Therefore, if a subsequent ATWS trip signal is initiated, the safety
function will not be performed. An STC failure can only be detected by
testing; remote indication is not provided.
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IN 87-12
February 13, 1987
Page 3 of 4
The most recent breaker failure at Pilgrim has been attributed to improper
maintenance performed by GE service technicians, who at the time were
unaware of special maintenance practices developed by the GE Atlanta Service
Shop. The GE Atlanta facility disassembled the failed breaker and discovered
that it was out of adjustment and that improper lubricants had apparently
been used. GE has issued Service Information Letter Number 448 to address
special maintenance practices developed for the entire AK type breaker
series which includes AK, AKU, AKF, and AKR type circuit breakers.
The ATWS trip function is required by 10 CFR 50.62(c)(5) and specific
quality assurance guidance has been provided for non-safety-related AIVS
equipment (NRC Generic Letter 85-06 dated April 16, 1985).
The GE AKF type circuit breakers have been shown to be susceptible to
failure as a result of binding within the breaker cam mechanism, unless
proper maintenance procedures are developed and followed by individuals
trained specifically to service the AKF breaker. GE has suggested that the
following maintenance information be incorporated into licensee programs for
GE AKF-type circuit breakers:
(1) Maintenance/inspection intervals of every 12 months or at each
refueling outage. A complete breaker overhaul every 5 years is
recommended to complement the annual cyclical maintenance.
(2) Only specified lubricants should be used on these circuit breakers.
Molykote BR2 Plus grease or equivalent for the slot in the circuit
breaker centerpole cam-link and GE Specification D50HD38 (Mobil 28)
for all other applications. The grease of GE Specifications D5OHl5 and
D5OH47 is no longer recommended for this breaker.
NOTE: D50HD38 lubricant should not be mixed with D5OHl5 and D5OH47
lubricants. Before changing to D50HD38 lubricant, maintenance personnel
should clean the circuit breaker thoroughly to remove all D5OHl5 and D5OH47
lubricant from the circuit breaker.
(3) Because of the complexity and difficulty in properly making crucial
adjustments unique to GE AKF type circuit breakers, only qualified,
properly trained personnel should perform these maintenance
activities.
(4) For type AKF circuit breakers which have not yet been converted to
D50HD38 lubricant, cycle the breakers a few times between maintenance
and inspection events whenever plant conditions allow.
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IN 87-12
February 13, 1987
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No specific action or written response is required by this notice. If you
have any questions regarding this matter, please contact the Regional
Administrator of the appropriate regional office or this office.
Edward L. Jordan Director
Division of Emergency Preparedness
and Engineering Response
Office of Inspection and Enforcement
Technical Contact: K. R. Naidu, IE
(301) 492-4179
J. Jacobson, IE
(301) 492-8845
Attachment: List of Recently Issued Information Notices
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