IE Circular No. 80-01, Service Advice for General Electric Induction Disc Relays

                                                            SSINS No.: 6830 
                                                            Accession No.: 
                                                            7912190644

                                UNITED STATES
                        NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
                    OFFICE OF INSPECTION AND ENFORCEMENT
                           WASHINGTON, D.C.  20555

                              January 17, 1980

                                                     IE Circular No. 80-01 

SERVICE ADVICE FOR GENERAL ELECTRIC INDUCTION DISC RELAYS 

Alabama Power Company reported to the NRC on October 16, 1979 a potential 
problem with certain General Electric Company induction disc type protective
relays.  A higher than normal pick-up value was caused by petroleum jelly 
lubricant which under high temperature conditions can migrate to the 
backstop. At room temperature the lubricant can become adhesive and cause 
pickup values to be higher than setpoint values. 

General Electric (GE) laboratory confirmed some higher than normal pickup 
values and recommended that users determine whether relays meeting the 
following criteria are in use at their facilities. 

(1)   Relay type:  IAC, IAV, ICR, or IJCV, AND 

(2)   The relay date code (which is printed on 3/4" x 3/8" sticker affixed 
      to the relay cradle) has a number less than 50, followed by any of the 
      following tow letter codes: 

      (a)   Any first letter followed by H, J, K,L, or M; or 
 
      (b)   The letter combinations AN, BN, CN, DN, EN, DG, EG, FG, GG, HG, 
            JG, KG, LG, or MG. 

      For example, 31GK would be considered, while 50 GK or 23HN would not 
      be considered. 

Experience has shown that the cleaning procedure recommended in GE Service 
Advice 721-162.1 may not in all cases remove all of the petroleum jelly 
which is lodged in place. 

Based on the above, licensees are advised to apply G.E. Service Advice 721-
162.2 (Enclosure A) to all relays that fall within the above two criteria. 

No written response to this Circular is required.  If you desire additional 
information regarding this matter contact the Director of the appropriate 
NRC Regional Office. 

Attachment:
Enclosure A