Part 21 Report - 1999-331

ACCESSION #: 9907010149

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ABB

June 25, 1999

LD-99-035

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Attn: Document Control Desk
Washington, D.C. 20555

Subject: Report of a Defect Pursuant to 10 CFR 21 Concerning ABB 4KV Vacuum Breakers

The purpose of this letter is to notify the Nuclear Regulatory Commission of a defect as defined in 10 CFR 21, "Reporting of Defects and Noncompliance." The defect concerns ABB 1200A 4KV Vacuum Breakers delivered to Baltimore Gas and Electric Company's Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant. Specifically, the defect concerns the breaker performing a trip free operation when a close signal is received by the breaker, This defect results in the breaker failing to remain in the closed position. The defect could lead to non-conservative failure of not starting certain plant equipment upon demand such as an Emergency Core Cooling Pump.

The Enclosure summarizes the evaluation performed by ABB Automation. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me or Mr. Virgil Paggen of my staff at (860) 285-4700.

Very truly yours,

COMBUSTION ENGINEERING, INC.

Ian C. Rickard, Director
Nuclear Licensing

Enclosure: As stated

cc: J. M. Triompo (ABB Automation)

ABB Combustion Engineering Nuclear Power

Combustion Engineering, Inc. P.O. Box 500 Telephone 860-285-9678

2000 Day Hill Rd. Fax (860) 285-3253

Windsor, CT 06095-0500

Enclosure to LD-99-035

Page 1 of 2

ABB Nuclear Automation, Inc.

10 CFR 21 Report of a Defect or Failure to Comply

The following information is provided pursuant to the requirements set forth in 10 CFR 21-21 (c)(4):

(i) Name and address of the individuals informing the Commission:

Ian C. Rickard, Director
Nuclear Licensing
Combustion Engineering, Inc.
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 activity for which this report is being filed is the use of ABB 4KV Vacuum Breaker in applications where the breaker is normally open and must close on demand. This defect applies only to the Baltimore Gas and Electric Company's (BG&E's) Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant (CCNPP).

(iii) Identification of the firm constructing the facility or supplying the basic component which fails to comply or contains a defect:

Combustion Engineering, Inc.
2000 Day Hill Road
Windsor, CT 06095-0500

(iv) Nature of the defect or failure to comply and the safety hazard which is created or could be created by such defect or failure to comply:

The defect identified is associated with the use of the ABB 4KV Vacuum Breaker only in applications where the breaker is normally open and must close on demand, The defect was detected during site acceptance testing of the breaker prior to installation into the plant. During this test, a simulated close signal was applied to the breaker and the breaker tripped free (i.e., failed to remain in the closed position).

These breakers are intended for both normally open and normally closed operation. In the normally open application, the breaker closes upon demand. This may be for electrical distribution applications or component control applications (e.g., start an Emergency Core Cooling pump). Demands can be automated (e.g,, by ESFAS) or based on manual operator demands. If the breaker does not remain closed when demanded (e.g., trips free), the safety function cannot be performed. This breaker is intended for use in multiple redundant safety divisions. Multiple redundant divisions would be affected by this defect.

Enclosure to LD-99-035

Page 2 of 2

(v) The date an which the information of such defect or failure to comply was obtained. ABB Automation determined that a defect exists in this breaker on June 25, 1999.

(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 in this part.

The defect applies only to ABB 4KV Vacuum Breakers delivered to CCNPP. Thirty-Seven (37) of these breakers were delivered to CCNPP and none were installed.

(vii) The corrective action which has been, is being, or will he taken; the name of the individual or organization responsible for the action; and the length of time that bay been or will be taken to complete the action:

Evaluations of the defect have been performed by ABB Automation. A root cause evaluation and corrective action plan are currently being developed jointly by ABB Automation, ABB Service Co. and Baltimore Gas and Electric. The breakers have not been installed in any normally open applications.

(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 licensees:

Baltimore Gas and Electric Company's CCNPP has been notified of the defect and has been provided with necessary information and is part of the corrective action team developing recommendations for resolution of this issue.

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U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Operations Center Event Report

General Information or Other (PAR)			Event # 35862
Rep Org:	ABB COMBUSTION ENGINEERING	Notification Date/Time:	06/25/1999 16:34 (EDT)
Supplier:	ABB COMBUSTION ENGINEERING	Event Date/Time:	06/25/1999 (EDT)
		Last Modification:	06/25/1999
Region:	1	Docket #:
City:	WINDSOR	Agreement State:	No
County:		License #:
State:	CT
NRC Notified by:	IAN RICKARD	Notifications:	GLENN MEYER R1
HQ Ops Officer:	BOB STRANSKY		VERN HODGE (via fax) NRR
Emergency Class:	NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:	21.21 UNSPECIFIED PARAGRAPH
	10 CFR PART 21 REPORT REGARDING ABB 4kV CIRCUIT BREAKERS

The following text is excerpted from a facsimile received in the Operations Center:

"The defect concerns ABB 1200A 4KV Vacuum Breakers delivered to Baltimore Gas and Electric Company's Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant. Specifically, the defect concerns the breaker performing a trip free operation when a close signal is received by the breaker. This defect results in the breaker failing to remain in the closed position. The defect could lead to non-conservative failure of not starting certain plant equipment upon demand such as an Emergency Core Cooling Pump."

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