Part 21 Report - 1997-751
ACCESSION #: 9710160120
ABB
October 13, 1997
LD-97-028
Document Control Desk
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Washington, DC 20555
Subject: Report Pursuant to 10 CFR 21 Regarding Certain Models of Potter
& Brumfield Relays
Gentlemen:
The purpose of this letter is to notify the Nuclear Regulatory Commission
of a defect pursuant to 10 CFR 21, "Reporting of Defects and
Noncompliance." The identified "defect" is contamination of lubricant
which has led to the hardening of the lubricant in certain Potter &
Brumfield Products Division NOR relay models 170-1 and 7032 such that the
relays could fail to function, These relays are used in the Plant
Protection System (i.e., Engineered Safety Features Actuation System and
Reactor Protection System).
Waterford Steam Electric Station (WSES) has informed ABB-CE of four
failed Potter & Brumfield Type MDR rotary relays. Although not all of
the failed relays were supplied by ABB-CE, they were manufactured by
Potter & Brumfield at the same facility utilizing similar components,
lubrication material, and techniques. The failed relays initially
reported were limited to AC versions of the MDR Relay. A recently
reported failure of a Model 7032 (DC Version) relay by WSES may indicate
that the problem applies to both AC and DC voltage relays. Potter &
Brumfield has verbally indicated that they believe model MDR relays
potentially affected are date-coded 94XX, and that earlier (93XX) and
later (95XX) date-coded relays are not affected.
WSES had a failure analysis of each relay performed by Southwest Research
Institute after removal of the relay from service, In all cases,
Southwest Research Institute identified the problem to be hardened
bearing lubricant.
Potter & Brumfield's initial evaluation of the reported problem is that
the lubricant hardening effect is likely due to contaminants introduced
into the lubricant and potentially excessive application of lubricant
which occurred during assembly of the suspect relays.
ABB Combustion Engineering Nuclear Operations
Combustion Engineering, PO. Box 500 Telephone (203) 638-1911
Inc. 1000 Prospect Hill Road Fax (203) 285-9512
Windsor, Connecticut
06095-0500
LD-97-028
Page 2
ABB-CE's investigation to date has revealed that Potter & Brumfield
supplied approximately 96 relays of the models identified above to ABB-CE
that are date-coded 94XX. These have been supplied to various nuclear
power plants as delineated in the attachment as part of the information
specifically required by 10 CFR 21.
Very truly yours,
COMBUSTION-ENGINEERING, Inc.
Ian C. Richard, Director
Operations Licensing
cc: M. F Barnoski (ABB-CE)
Attachment to
LD-97-028
ABB Combustion Engineering Nuclear Operations
10 CFR 21 Report of a Defect or Failure to Comply
The following information is provided pursuant to 10 CFR 21.21 (c)(4):
(i) Name and address of the individual informing the Commission:
Ian C. Rickard, Director
Operations Licensing
Combustion Engineering
2000 Day Hill Road
Windsor, CT 06095-0500
(ii) Identification of the facility, the activity, or the basic
component supplied for such facility or such activity within
the United States which fails to comply or contains a defect:
The basic components are Potter & Brumfield MDR relay models
170-1 and 7032. Information from Potter & Brumfield indicates
that the concern potentially affects not only the 170-1 and
7032, but also the 7033 and 7034 relays date-coded 94XX
(iii) Identification of the firm constructing the facility or
supplying the basic component which fails to comply or contains
a defect:
The relays were supplied to ABB-CE by Potter & Brumfield and
were subsequently provided to the nuclear plants identified in
item (vi) below by:
Combustion Engineering, Inc.
2000 Day Hill Road
Windsor, CT 06095-0500
(iv) Nature of defect or failure to comply and the safety hazard
which is created or could he created by such defect or failure
to comply:
The defect is lubricant contamination and excessive application
of lubricant leading to hardening of the lubricant in Potter &
Brumfield MDR relay models (date-coded 94XX) 170-land 7032 and
potentially 7033 and 7034 such that the relays could fall to
function. These relays are used in the Plant Protection System
(i.e., Engineered Safety features Actuation System and Reactor
Protection System), and their failure could prevent proper
functioning of the Plant Protection System.
2 Attachment to
LD-97-028
(v) The date on which the information of such defect or failure to
comply was obtained.
ABB-CE received information regarding failures of the subject
relays on August 6, 1997.
(vi) In the case of a basic component which contains a defect or
fails to comply, the number and location of all such components
in use at, supplied for, or being supplied for one or more
facilities or activities subject to the regulations of this -
part:
ABB-CE has supplied MDR relays as replacement or original
equipment as follows:
Utility Plant Model Nos.
Arizona Public PVNGS 1, 2, 3 7032,7033,7034
Service Co.
Entergy ANO 2 7032,7033,7034.170-1
Entergy Waterford 3 7032,7033,7034,170-1
Edison SONGS 2, 3 7032,7033,7034,170.1
International,
Inc.
These relays are normally energized, and are deenergized to
actuate.
(vii) The corrective action which has been, is being, or will be
taken; the name of the individual responsible for the action;
and the length of time that has been or will be taken to
complete the action:
ABB-CE is currently evaluating potential corrective actions.
(viii) Any advice related to the defect or failure to comply about the
facility, activity, or basic component that has been, is being,
or will be given to purchasers or licensee:
In parallel with providing this 10 CFR 21 report to the NRC,
ABB-CE will distribute copies of the report to utilities having
an ABB-CE designed Nuclear Steam Supply System. Those
utilities will also be provided with ABB-CE's recommended
corrective actions, when developed.
GENERAL INFORMATION or OTHER EVENT NUMBER: 33077
LICENSEE: ABB COMBUSTION ENGINEERING NOTIFICATION DATE: 10/13/97
CITY: WINDSOR REGION: 1 NOTIFICATION TIME: 13:42 [ET]
COUNTY: STATE: CT EVENT DATE: 08/06/97
LICENSE#: AGREEMENT: N EVENT TIME: 00:00[EDT]
DOCKET: LAST UPDATE DATE: 10/13/97
NOTIFICATIONS
JOHN PELLET RDO
NRC NOTIFIED BY: HESS VERN HODGE NRR
HQ OPS OFFICER: CHAUNCEY GOULD
EMERGENCY CLASS: NOT APPLICABLE
10 CFR SECTION:
CCCC 21.21 UNSPECIFIED PARAGRAPH
EVENT TEXT
ABB COMBUSTION REPORTED A PART 21 ON CERTAIN MODELS OF POTTER &
BRUMFIELD
RELAYS. THEY HAVE IDENTIFIED THE "DEFECT" AS CONTAMINATION OF
LUBRICANT
WHICH HAS LEAD TO THE HARDENING OF THE LUBRICANT IN CERTAIN POTTER
&
BRUMFIELD PRODUCTS DIVISION MDR RELAYS(MODELS "170-1" AND "7032").
THIS
"DEFECT" COULD RESULT IN RELAY FAILURE. THESE RELAYS ARE USED IN THE
PLANT PROTECTION SYSTEM. THERE IS ALSO THE POTENTIAL FOR RELAY
MODELS
11703311 AND 11703411 TO FAIL TO FUNCTION CORRECTLY. THESE RELAYS HAVE
BEEN SUPPLIED TO PALO VERDE 1, 2 AND 3, ARKANSAS NUCLEAR ONE UNIT 2,
WATERFORD 3, AND SAN ONOFRE 2 AND 3. ABB-CE IS CURRENTLY EVALUATING
POTENTIAL CORRECTIVE ACTIONS WHICH WILL BE PROVIDED TO THE UTILITIES
WITH
ABB-CE DESIGNED NUCLEAR STEAM SUPPLY SYSTEMS.
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