Event Notification Report for April 24, 2022
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center
EVENT REPORTS FOR
04/23/2022 - 04/24/2022
EVENT NUMBERS
55960
55960
Part 21
Event Number: 55960
Rep Org: Curtiss Wright Flow Control Co.
Licensee: Curtiss Wright Flow Control Co.
Region: 3
City: Middleburg Heights State: OH
County:
License #:
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: Christopher Covan
HQ OPS Officer: Ernest West
Licensee: Curtiss Wright Flow Control Co.
Region: 3
City: Middleburg Heights State: OH
County:
License #:
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: Christopher Covan
HQ OPS Officer: Ernest West
Notification Date: 06/24/2022
Notification Time: 13:33 [ET]
Event Date: 04/24/2022
Event Time: 00:00 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 12/16/2022
Notification Time: 13:33 [ET]
Event Date: 04/24/2022
Event Time: 00:00 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 12/16/2022
Emergency Class: Non Emergency
10 CFR Section:
21.21(a)(2) - Interim Eval Of Deviation
10 CFR Section:
21.21(a)(2) - Interim Eval Of Deviation
Person (Organization):
Dickson, Billy (R3DO)
Miller, Mark (R2DO)
Part 21/50.55 Reactors, - (EMAIL)
Dickson, Billy (R3DO)
Miller, Mark (R2DO)
Part 21/50.55 Reactors, - (EMAIL)
EN Revision Imported Date: 12/19/2022
EN Revision Text: PART 21 REPORT - POTENTIAL DEFECT IN QUICK DISCONNECT CONNECTOR CABLE ASSEMBLIES
The following is a synopsis of information received via facsimile:
On April 24, 2022, a potential defect was discovered in a configuration of the 1 « inch Quick Disconnect Connector (P/N: 913602-111) cable assemblies supplied to Duke [(McGuire Nuclear Station)] under procurement document 30129014. During post installation testing by Duke, it was found that one of the cable wires was shorted to ground. This damage could cause the cable assembly to not perform its intended safety function. Upon further investigation, Duke found 9 other cable assemblies to have similar damage. Duke returned the identified cable assemblies to Curtiss Wright who is investigating the issue. Although some testing and verification activities have been completed, additional testing and research is necessary and in progress. The current testing and research is projected to take 30 days and a follow-up letter with results and status will be provided by July 24, 2022.
Currently, McGuire Nuclear Station is the only affected facility.
For additional information, please contact Jim Tumlinson, Director of Operations (256-425-8037), Christopher Covan, Quality Assurance Manager (256-624-7301), or Tim Franchuk of Quality (513-201-2176).
* * * UPDATE ON 07/25/2022 AT 1417 EDT FROM CHRIS COVAN TO BETHANY CECERE * * *
The following is an update received via facsimile:
"After further research on this condition, we have determined there was a defect that was provided to this utility. The nature of the defect is a bushing supplied with these cable assemblies. This bushing was found to have burr edges near the interface of the connector. This burr, when moved up and down the wires during the installation process, has the potential to cause damage. This damage could compromise the integrating of the dielectric characteristic of the supplied connector which could lead to the component not to perform its intended safety function.
"Based on history, where we have never had an issue of this defect being detected either by Curtiss-Wright or Duke Energy, Curtiss-Wright is confident that this is a recent issue and efforts/research are being done to bound this issue to determine the extent of condition. Due to the nature of the damage, we also have a high degree of confidence that the defect would be evident and caught during the pre/post installation testing/inspection of this device which would further prevent them from being installed in the plants.
"All configuration that utilize this defective component were supplied to Duke Energy and installed in the McGuire, Oconee and Catawba operating plants. As of this time, we have identified 11 cables which have this defect and we are working closely with Duke to determine the full extent of condition. These 11 cables have been returned to Curtiss-Wright. Further evaluation will require a projected addition 30 days to continue our evaluation with the help of the utility. Another follow up letter will be issued to the NRC on August 26, 2022."
Notified R3DO (Peterson), R2DO (Miller), and Part 21 Group (by email).
* * * UPDATE ON 08/26/2022 AT 1411 EDT FROM CHRIS COVAN TO ADAM KOZIOL * * *
The following is an update received via facsimile:
"In pursuance of compliance to Federal Regulation 10CFR21, this letter is issued to provide closure for notification issued June 24, 2022 of the potential defect in a configuration of the 1 1/2 Inch Quick Disconnect Connector (P/N: 913602-111) cable assemblies supplied to Duke Energy under procurement documents 30129014, 03121479, 03114993 and 03124438 for of a total of 19 connectors at the McGuire and Catawba Nuclear Power Stations. We have a high degree of confidence that this is limited to these supply of cables.
"Of the 19 connectors, 11 have been returned to Curtiss-Wright and have been confirmed to have the suspected defect. Curtiss-Wright will be working with Duke Energy to have these connector assemblies replaced. Due to the nature of the defect and installation routines of the plant, for items installed at Duke Energy we have reasonable assurance that these connectors do not pose an immediate safety risk but could cause damaged during routine maintenance associated with the connectors and should be replace at earliest convenience.
"To prevent this from reoccurring, Curtiss-Wright will implement an inspection activity to verify the absence of burrs and/or sharp edges of all fittings that could potentially cause damage which could prevent the items from performing its intended safety function.
"For additional information, please contact Jim Tumlinson, Director of Operations (256-425-8037), Christopher Covan, Quality Assurance Manager (256-624-7301), or Tim Franchuk Director of Quality (513-201-2176)."
Notified R3DO (Pelke), R2DO (Miller), and Part 21 Group (by email).
* * * UPDATE ON12/16/22 AT 0932 EST FROM CHRIS COVAN TO THOMAS HERRITY * * *
The following is an update received via facsimile:
"In pursuance of compliance to Federal Regulation 10CFR21, this letter is issued to provide an amendment for notification issued on June 24, 2022 of the potential defect in a configuration of the 11/2 Inch Quick Disconnect Connector cable assemblies supplied to Duke Energy for a total of 460 of connectors only supplied to Oconee, McGuire and Catawba Nuclear Power Stations. This increase of scope is due to new evidence provided by Duke Energy, where this potential defect was found in other lots of material other than the ones previously bound to this condition.
"The nature of the defect is a sharp edge located inside of the supplied reducing bushing which could cause damage to the cables when being installed or removed. These cable assemblies and bushing need to be evaluated to determine if this potential defect has occurred or if there is a potential for damage to occur at the earliest convenience. To the best knowledge of the application, we believe that there is a very low risk of damage to the cable assemblies after installation but this needs to be evaluated at the plants. We have been working with Duke Energy and will continue to support them until this issue is resolved.
"To prevent this from reoccurring, Curtiss-Wright will implement inspection activities to verify the absence of burrs and/or sharp edges of all fittings that could potentially cause damage and prevent the items from performing its intended safety function.
"For additional information, please contact Jim Tumlinson, Director of Operation (256-425-8037) or Christopher Covan, Quality Assurance Manager (256-624-7301), or Tim Franchuk, Director of Quality (513-201-2176).
Notified R3DO (Ruiz), R2DO (Miller), and Part 21 Group (by email).
EN Revision Text: PART 21 REPORT - POTENTIAL DEFECT IN QUICK DISCONNECT CONNECTOR CABLE ASSEMBLIES
The following is a synopsis of information received via facsimile:
On April 24, 2022, a potential defect was discovered in a configuration of the 1 « inch Quick Disconnect Connector (P/N: 913602-111) cable assemblies supplied to Duke [(McGuire Nuclear Station)] under procurement document 30129014. During post installation testing by Duke, it was found that one of the cable wires was shorted to ground. This damage could cause the cable assembly to not perform its intended safety function. Upon further investigation, Duke found 9 other cable assemblies to have similar damage. Duke returned the identified cable assemblies to Curtiss Wright who is investigating the issue. Although some testing and verification activities have been completed, additional testing and research is necessary and in progress. The current testing and research is projected to take 30 days and a follow-up letter with results and status will be provided by July 24, 2022.
Currently, McGuire Nuclear Station is the only affected facility.
For additional information, please contact Jim Tumlinson, Director of Operations (256-425-8037), Christopher Covan, Quality Assurance Manager (256-624-7301), or Tim Franchuk of Quality (513-201-2176).
* * * UPDATE ON 07/25/2022 AT 1417 EDT FROM CHRIS COVAN TO BETHANY CECERE * * *
The following is an update received via facsimile:
"After further research on this condition, we have determined there was a defect that was provided to this utility. The nature of the defect is a bushing supplied with these cable assemblies. This bushing was found to have burr edges near the interface of the connector. This burr, when moved up and down the wires during the installation process, has the potential to cause damage. This damage could compromise the integrating of the dielectric characteristic of the supplied connector which could lead to the component not to perform its intended safety function.
"Based on history, where we have never had an issue of this defect being detected either by Curtiss-Wright or Duke Energy, Curtiss-Wright is confident that this is a recent issue and efforts/research are being done to bound this issue to determine the extent of condition. Due to the nature of the damage, we also have a high degree of confidence that the defect would be evident and caught during the pre/post installation testing/inspection of this device which would further prevent them from being installed in the plants.
"All configuration that utilize this defective component were supplied to Duke Energy and installed in the McGuire, Oconee and Catawba operating plants. As of this time, we have identified 11 cables which have this defect and we are working closely with Duke to determine the full extent of condition. These 11 cables have been returned to Curtiss-Wright. Further evaluation will require a projected addition 30 days to continue our evaluation with the help of the utility. Another follow up letter will be issued to the NRC on August 26, 2022."
Notified R3DO (Peterson), R2DO (Miller), and Part 21 Group (by email).
* * * UPDATE ON 08/26/2022 AT 1411 EDT FROM CHRIS COVAN TO ADAM KOZIOL * * *
The following is an update received via facsimile:
"In pursuance of compliance to Federal Regulation 10CFR21, this letter is issued to provide closure for notification issued June 24, 2022 of the potential defect in a configuration of the 1 1/2 Inch Quick Disconnect Connector (P/N: 913602-111) cable assemblies supplied to Duke Energy under procurement documents 30129014, 03121479, 03114993 and 03124438 for of a total of 19 connectors at the McGuire and Catawba Nuclear Power Stations. We have a high degree of confidence that this is limited to these supply of cables.
"Of the 19 connectors, 11 have been returned to Curtiss-Wright and have been confirmed to have the suspected defect. Curtiss-Wright will be working with Duke Energy to have these connector assemblies replaced. Due to the nature of the defect and installation routines of the plant, for items installed at Duke Energy we have reasonable assurance that these connectors do not pose an immediate safety risk but could cause damaged during routine maintenance associated with the connectors and should be replace at earliest convenience.
"To prevent this from reoccurring, Curtiss-Wright will implement an inspection activity to verify the absence of burrs and/or sharp edges of all fittings that could potentially cause damage which could prevent the items from performing its intended safety function.
"For additional information, please contact Jim Tumlinson, Director of Operations (256-425-8037), Christopher Covan, Quality Assurance Manager (256-624-7301), or Tim Franchuk Director of Quality (513-201-2176)."
Notified R3DO (Pelke), R2DO (Miller), and Part 21 Group (by email).
* * * UPDATE ON12/16/22 AT 0932 EST FROM CHRIS COVAN TO THOMAS HERRITY * * *
The following is an update received via facsimile:
"In pursuance of compliance to Federal Regulation 10CFR21, this letter is issued to provide an amendment for notification issued on June 24, 2022 of the potential defect in a configuration of the 11/2 Inch Quick Disconnect Connector cable assemblies supplied to Duke Energy for a total of 460 of connectors only supplied to Oconee, McGuire and Catawba Nuclear Power Stations. This increase of scope is due to new evidence provided by Duke Energy, where this potential defect was found in other lots of material other than the ones previously bound to this condition.
"The nature of the defect is a sharp edge located inside of the supplied reducing bushing which could cause damage to the cables when being installed or removed. These cable assemblies and bushing need to be evaluated to determine if this potential defect has occurred or if there is a potential for damage to occur at the earliest convenience. To the best knowledge of the application, we believe that there is a very low risk of damage to the cable assemblies after installation but this needs to be evaluated at the plants. We have been working with Duke Energy and will continue to support them until this issue is resolved.
"To prevent this from reoccurring, Curtiss-Wright will implement inspection activities to verify the absence of burrs and/or sharp edges of all fittings that could potentially cause damage and prevent the items from performing its intended safety function.
"For additional information, please contact Jim Tumlinson, Director of Operation (256-425-8037) or Christopher Covan, Quality Assurance Manager (256-624-7301), or Tim Franchuk, Director of Quality (513-201-2176).
Notified R3DO (Ruiz), R2DO (Miller), and Part 21 Group (by email).