Event Notification Report for March 11, 2009
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center
EVENT REPORTS FOR
03/10/2009 - 03/11/2009
General Information or Other
Event Number: 44896
Rep Org: ABB INC.
Licensee: ABB INC.
Region: 1
City: Florence State: SC
County:
License #:
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: TERRY MALLOY
HQ OPS Officer: DAN LIVERMORE
Licensee: ABB INC.
Region: 1
City: Florence State: SC
County:
License #:
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: TERRY MALLOY
HQ OPS Officer: DAN LIVERMORE
Notification Date: 03/11/2009
Notification Time: 15:52 [ET]
Event Date: 03/11/2009
Event Time: 00:00 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 03/16/2009
Notification Time: 15:52 [ET]
Event Date: 03/11/2009
Event Time: 00:00 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 03/16/2009
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
21.21 - UNSPECIFIED PARAGRAPH
10 CFR Section:
21.21 - UNSPECIFIED PARAGRAPH
Person (Organization):
ANTHONY DIMITRIADIS (R1)
REBECCA NEASE (R2)
JULIO LARA (R3)
THOMAS FARNHOLTZ (R4)
RX PART 21 GROUP (E-MA)
ANTHONY DIMITRIADIS (R1)
REBECCA NEASE (R2)
JULIO LARA (R3)
THOMAS FARNHOLTZ (R4)
RX PART 21 GROUP (E-MA)
PART 21 NOTIFICATION - DEFECTIVE HK AND K-LINE CIRCUIT BREAKER TENSION SPRINGS
The identification of the subject component is as follows: ABB P/N 716359A00 Tension Spring. These springs are used in both HK (Medium Voltage) and K-Line (Low voltage) circuit breakers. In the HK breaker, the spring is used on the racking mechanism to position the racking mechanism interlocking latch. In the K-Line circuit breaker, the spring resets the prop latch mechanism following a circuit breaker trip. Circuit breakers and spare parts procured from ABB between 04/23/2008 and 02/27/2009 may have suspect springs installed.
Nature of the deviation: Micro-cracks in the base of the hooked end of the springs may result in failure of the springs after repetitive cycles. A broken spring could potentially affect the ability of a K-Line or HK breaker to reset and close after an opening operation. Initial report of the nonconformance was generated on 02/11/2009 (NCR #68999JL), reporting that springs failed during mechanical life testing being performed on a K-Line breaker. These springs failed after approximately 2,800 cycles each.
Given the large number of applications for the affected circuit breakers, ABB (Medium Voltage Service) cannot determine if the potential for a substantial safety hazard exists at any licensee's facility if a similar failure of the tension spring occurs. Licensees are requested to evaluate the history of inspections, maintenance practices, and circuit breaker operating cycles for K-Line breakers, and racking cycles for HK breakers to determine if the circuit breaker spring should be replaced immediately or at the next convenient maintenance opportunity. ABB recommends that any suspect spring with greater than 1,400 operating cycles be replaced as soon as possible.
Currently ABB is determining the affected licensees and will notify them on or about March 30, 2009.
* * * UPDATE FROM K. WELBORN TO P. SNYDER AT 0759 ON 3/16/2009 * * *
ABB updated the original report by providing a list of affected customers.
Notified R1DO (DeFrancisco), R2DO (Nease), R3DO (Lara), and R4DO (Hay).
The identification of the subject component is as follows: ABB P/N 716359A00 Tension Spring. These springs are used in both HK (Medium Voltage) and K-Line (Low voltage) circuit breakers. In the HK breaker, the spring is used on the racking mechanism to position the racking mechanism interlocking latch. In the K-Line circuit breaker, the spring resets the prop latch mechanism following a circuit breaker trip. Circuit breakers and spare parts procured from ABB between 04/23/2008 and 02/27/2009 may have suspect springs installed.
Nature of the deviation: Micro-cracks in the base of the hooked end of the springs may result in failure of the springs after repetitive cycles. A broken spring could potentially affect the ability of a K-Line or HK breaker to reset and close after an opening operation. Initial report of the nonconformance was generated on 02/11/2009 (NCR #68999JL), reporting that springs failed during mechanical life testing being performed on a K-Line breaker. These springs failed after approximately 2,800 cycles each.
Given the large number of applications for the affected circuit breakers, ABB (Medium Voltage Service) cannot determine if the potential for a substantial safety hazard exists at any licensee's facility if a similar failure of the tension spring occurs. Licensees are requested to evaluate the history of inspections, maintenance practices, and circuit breaker operating cycles for K-Line breakers, and racking cycles for HK breakers to determine if the circuit breaker spring should be replaced immediately or at the next convenient maintenance opportunity. ABB recommends that any suspect spring with greater than 1,400 operating cycles be replaced as soon as possible.
Currently ABB is determining the affected licensees and will notify them on or about March 30, 2009.
* * * UPDATE FROM K. WELBORN TO P. SNYDER AT 0759 ON 3/16/2009 * * *
ABB updated the original report by providing a list of affected customers.
Notified R1DO (DeFrancisco), R2DO (Nease), R3DO (Lara), and R4DO (Hay).
Power Reactor
Event Number: 44897
Facility: SAN ONOFRE
Region: 4 State: CA
Unit: [] [2] [3]
RX Type: [1] W-3-LP,[2] CE,[3] CE
NRC Notified By: SUSAN GARDNER
HQ OPS Officer: DONALD NORWOOD
Region: 4 State: CA
Unit: [] [2] [3]
RX Type: [1] W-3-LP,[2] CE,[3] CE
NRC Notified By: SUSAN GARDNER
HQ OPS Officer: DONALD NORWOOD
Notification Date: 03/11/2009
Notification Time: 19:49 [ET]
Event Date: 03/11/2009
Event Time: 11:55 [PDT]
Last Update Date: 03/11/2009
Notification Time: 19:49 [ET]
Event Date: 03/11/2009
Event Time: 11:55 [PDT]
Last Update Date: 03/11/2009
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
26.719 - FITNESS FOR DUTY
10 CFR Section:
26.719 - FITNESS FOR DUTY
Person (Organization):
THOMAS FARNHOLTZ (R4)
THOMAS FARNHOLTZ (R4)
| Unit | SCRAM Code | RX Crit | Initial PWR | Initial RX Mode | Current PWR | Current RX Mode |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | N | Y | 100 | Power Operation | 100 | Power Operation |
| 3 | N | Y | 100 | Power Operation | 100 | Power Operation |
CONTRACT EMPLOYEE FOUND USING ILLEGAL DRUGS IN PROTECTED AREA
A non-supervisory contract employee was found using illegal drugs in the Protected Area. A for-cause fitness for duty test resulted in a confirmed positive drug test. The contract employee's access to the plant has been terminated. Contact the Headquarters Operations Officer for additional details.
A non-supervisory contract employee was found using illegal drugs in the Protected Area. A for-cause fitness for duty test resulted in a confirmed positive drug test. The contract employee's access to the plant has been terminated. Contact the Headquarters Operations Officer for additional details.