Part 21 Report - 2002-230

EVENT TEXT

PART 21 INVOLVING NON CONFORMING ROSEMOUNT PRESSURE TRANSMITTERS AND SPARE PARTS

The following information was received via fax:

"Re: Notification under 10 CFR Part 21 for Model 1153 and 1154 pressure transmitters with optional adjustable damping circuit boards, and spare adjustable damping circuit boards

"Pursuant to 10 CFR Part 21, section 21.21(b), Rosemount Nuclear Instruments, Inc. (RNII) is writing to inform you that:

(a) certain Model 1153 and 1154 pressure transmitters with special adjustable damping options N0037, N0039, N0058, N0085, N0102, N0108, N0120 shipped between December 2000 and July 2002, and

(b) certain spare adjustable damping circuit boards with part number 01154 0021 0004 shipped between December 2000 and July 2002, may not meet RNII's published Nuclear Steam Pressure/Temperature specification and/or RNII's published Post DBE Operation specification. Model 1153 and 1154 transmitters which do not contain the special optional adjustable damping circuit board are not affected. The adjustable damping feature establishes the time constant of the transmitter's output. A list of affected Model 1153 and 1154 transmitters and spare adjustable damping circuit boards shipped to the end user's facility is provided in Attachment A.

"1.0 Name and address of the individual providing the information:

Mr. Jeffrey W. Schmitt
Vice President & General Manager
Rosemount Nuclear Instruments, Inc.
12001 Technology Drive
Eden Prairie, MN 55344

"2.0 Identification of items supplied:

Model 1153 and 1154 Pressure Transmitters with special adjustable damping options N0037, N0039, N0058, N0085, N0102, N0108, N0120 as identified by the appropriate model code. The applicable model codes begin with either '1153' or '1154' and end with the applicable N option number, for example '1154DP5RAN0037.'

and;

Spare adjustable damping circuit boards with part number 01154 0021 0004.

See Attachment A for complete listing of affected equipment shipped to the end user's facility.

"3.0 Identification of firm supplying the item:

Rosemount Nuclear Instruments, Inc.
12001 Technology Drive
Eden Prairie, MN 55344

"4.0 Nature of the failure and potential safety hazard:

This notification impacts:

(a) certain Model 1153 and 1154 pressure transmitters with special adjustable damping options N0037, N0039, N0058, N0085, N0102, N0108, N0120 shipped between December 2000 and July 2002 and

(b) certain spare adjustable damping circuit boards with part number 01154 0021 0004 shipped between December 2000 and July 2002, which may not meet RNII's published Nuclear Steam Pressure/Temperature specification and/or RNII's published Post DBE Operation specification.

American Capacitor Corporation, the manufacturer of a capacitor used on the adjustable damping circuit board recently informed RNII that capacitors shipped to RNIIs adjustable damping circuit board supplier after June 2000 were inadequately tested for conformance to the required high temperature insulation resistance (IR) as specified by RNII's procurement documents. Subsequent RNII testing confirmed that the capacitors were non conforming to RNII's IR specifications. These non conforming capacitors were assembled into certain transmitters and spare circuit boards that were shipped from RNII between December 2000 and July 2002. Further RNII testing demonstrated that model 1153 and 1154 transmitters with the optional adjustable damping circuit boards containing non conforming capacitors would not meet RNIIs published Nuclear Steam Pressure/Temperature and Post DBE Operation specifications for the published temperature profile. Due to the transmitter performance variation present in the test results, RNII cannot provide an interim specification.

Testing has demonstrated that affected adjustable damping circuit boards do meet product specifications at normal operating temperatures (40 200 degrees F)

RNII does not have sufficient information relative to the end user's specific applications to determine the potential safety related impact to its plant. The end user must determine the impact on its plant operations and plant safety and take action as deemed necessary.

"5.0 The corrective action which is taken, the name of the individual or organization responsible for that action, and the length of time taken to complete that action:

(a) Upon notification from the capacitor manufacturer of this issue, RNII placed holds on all shipments containing potentially affected equipment (model 1153 and 1154 transmitters with the special adjustable damping options N0037, N0039, N0058, N0085, N0102, N0108, N0120 and spare adjustable damping circuit boards with part number 01154 0021 0004).

(b) The capacitor manufacturer identified the specific capacitor lots that were inadequately tested. Only adjustable damping circuit boards built with capacitors from these lots are affected.

(c) RNII performed subsequent testing and established that Model 1153 and 1154 transmitters with special adjustable damping options N0037, N0039, N0058, N0085, N0102, N0108, N0120 having adjustable damping circuit boards containing capacitors that do not meet RNII IR specifications would not meet the published Nuclear Steam Pressure/Temperature specification and/or Post DBE Operation specification for the published temperature profile. Testing has demonstrated that affected adjustable damping circuit boards do meet product specifications at normal operating temperatures (40 200 degrees F),

(d) RNII has initiated actions with the adjustable damping circuit board supplier to ensure that all capacitors received from sub suppliers are tested to demonstrate compliance with the IR specifications prior to installation on adjustable damping circuit boards.

(e) Replacement capacitors have been identified and tested which conform to RNII's procurement specifications. RNII will audit the quality system of the new supplier to assure its quality system meets the requirements of 10CFR Part 50 Appendix B and all requirements of a qualified supplier to RNII. Completion: 6 September 2002.

(f) RNII will repair or replace any affected adjustable damping circuit board at the end user's request. Completion: As required.

"6.0 Any advice related to the potential failure of the item:

"The end user must determine the impact of this deviation upon its plant's operation and safety and take action as deemed necessary. If the end user determines that replacement of the affected special adjustable damping circuit boards is required, please contact Rosemount Nuclear Instruments, Inc. to obtain a replacement adjustable damping circuit board."

Attachment 1
Attachment 2