Information Notice 1989-03, Potential Electrical Equipment Problems
UNITED STATES
NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
OFFICE OF NUCLEAR MATERIAL SAFETY AND SAFEGUARDS
WASHINGTON, D. C. 20555
January 11,
1989 NRC INFORMATION NOTICE NO. 89-03: POTENTIAL ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT PROBLEMS
Addressees
All Fuel Cycle and Major Nuclear Materials licensees.
Purpose
This information notice is being provided to advise certain NRC fuel cycle and
materials licensees of potential electrical equipment problems that may be
caused by inadequate maintenance, equipment component defects, or procurement
practices.
It is expected that you will review this information for appli- cability, distribute it to responsible radiation safety, maintenance and
procurement staff, and consider actions, as appropriate, to avoid similar
problems. However, suggestions contained in this notice do not constitute
new NRC requirements; no written response is required.
Description of Circumstances
Concerns regarding electrical equipment problems with materials licensees
were prompted by recent inspection findings that counterfeit, substandard, or questionable electrical equipment or components had been used in nuclear
power reactors. The inspection findings indicated that the electrical equip- ment problems appeared to be significant and pervasive. As a result, several
NRC information notices were issued which reflected such equipment problems
involving nuclear utilities, equipment manufacturers, and vendors. Further- more, several electrical suppliers were identified as those associated in
refurbishing and sale of defective equipment components to nuclear and non- nuclear industries. Therefore, the electrical equipment problem does not
appear to be confined to nuclear power reactors or the nuclear industry.
Similar problems may also exist in non-nuclear medical and industrial
operations as well.
A review of previously published NRC information notices and bulletins ad- dressed to materials licensees revealed that there had been incidents which
involved failure of electrical equipment and components such as pressure
regulator switches, teletherapy timers, solid-state relays, and solenoid
valves, which could have resulted in radiation overexposures. A brief
description of the incidents is provided below:
IN 89-03 January 11, 1989 1. 1E Information Notice No. 84-77:
A defective solid-state relay in a circuit board of a teletherapy unit
caused the source unit to move to the exposed position. This could
cause both the teletherapy operator and the patient to receive excessive
radiation exposures. This incident also may have generic implications
because of the non-fail-safe design of the relay circuit.
2. IE Information Notice No. 85-54:
A failure of a pressure regulator switch on the pneumatic system to an
Atomic Energy of Canada, Ltd. (AECL) Theratron 60 teletherapy unit caused
an overpressure condition in the holding tank and prevented the source
drawer from immediately closing on command.
3. IE Bulletin No. 86-04:
The bulletin described how an operational malfunction of a teletherapy
timer could result in radiation misadministration to patients and possible
excessive radiation exposures to teletherapy operators.
4. NRC Information Notice No. 87-29:
The Notice described several related incidents at large irradiators.
One event involved an irradiator source unable to retract to its fully
shielded-posftion due-to-a-firozen
lenoidva We.
Discussion:
Although these incidents apparently did not involve counterfeit equipment, these incidents illustrate the need for facility management to have an
adequate maintenance and procurement program. Therefore, licensees are
urged to thoroughly review their programs to ensure that the procedures
for operations, service, repair, or replacement are being followed properly.
Licensees should also review their procurement procedures and practices, especially in areas such as purchase orders, materials requirements, vendor
qualifications, and receipt inspections, to ensure quality control and
compliance.
IN 89-03 January 11, 1989 No specific action or written response is required by this information notice.
If you should have any questions about this matter, please contact the
the appropriate NRC regional office or the technical contact listed below.
Richard E. Cunningham, Director
Division of Industrial and
Medical Nuclear Safety
Office of Nuclear Material Safety
and Safeguards
Technical Contact:
K. C. Leu, NMSS
(301) 492-0696 Attachments:
1. List of Recently Issued NMSS Information Notices
2, List of All Recently Issued NRC Information Notices
Attafent
IN R'-03
Janu ry 11.1W
rrI
t"
i.qe I of I
tlST or RECENTLY
ISSUED
RPSS INFORAMTION
NOIICS
I-nssolo
mro
ten ofoc
I
c Aa
Subjact
lossuance
Issuod to
89-07 Criminol proscution et
01/009/09
All holders of mRC
license.s former president
specific license
for
Intent
ional safety
violations
88-1020
pllmranm of ondnnteadlng
12/23/U
All
Jar muclear
bet
NRC and 0MA rlting
materials licensees
to eC-liernsed facilitls
and utilities bolding
(S3 Fi 43"O. October 31. 19A)
CPS a.d Ots.
58-93 Telptherapy Foents
12/28U
All WC wedical
licensees
58-9e
thmatiberiznd reunvol of
1112288
All Mlt licensees
1ndustriol nuclear qagn
authorized to
posses. 9sr.
manufacture. er
distribute industrial
nuclear gawge
1-616 Instrial radiography
08/22/8
All IC Industrial
Inspectin and enfarcomet
radiography license.s
e42 lacnt findings coucerniog
018/12/1
All hialdes o NC
iwir
anttlen of ewilty
quality assurne
assufance progrinJ by sueplierts
ro
approveas for
of transpart packages
nd
ctve material
packages
0-323 Rctm prubetr
lfvolnng the
05/2flM
All Agraonnnt States
model Spec 2-1 radilogralc
and ItC licensees
exposure device
autherizad to
manufacture. distribute
or operate
radiographic exposure
devices and source
changers
3-32 Prot re atrIn ti NeC af
01/25/Ui
All RC materials
si'nificant incidents Involving
Icensees
radioactive interial
Ot
- Operating ticense
- Construction P.rit
Attachmnt 2
1S 89-03
January it. I9M5
figs I of I
tlST OF RECaTlLY ISSUED
MAC INfATlTIO NOTICE$
Infar etion
Dr
Noticae Nm
Subject
89-02
Crtilnl Prsctite of
Licensees Formr President
for intentinal Safety
Violatiose
8-23.
Potntial tor 6Us siding
Sup. I
of Nigh-Pressure Safety
lejectina Pep Earing a
tens-of-Coolant Accident
Ng-01 Valve 5e
Erosion
Issuln
1/9/Si
cs
Issmed ta
P
All balders of a
d.S. mC sp*cific
licensa
I
All hblders at Ots
oer CPs fr
PuRs.
I/s/11
3t-4'.
Supp. 2
Licensae RtPert of ollectivw
Refurbished Circuit Breakers
"a,"8
52/30/U
85-101 Sbipt mt Contamimatad
12/2181
£qui~pmnt b*taee NRclear
Phunr Stations
BS-10
feliran
ot tUderstanding
12/23/8 betea
NC aln OSKA
Ralatina to EC-liceased
raclitisl
53
- 4so.
October 31. .S9e)
E1111- DetacKtim Sen1 Rnitaig
12/20/U
of Sudden and/or Rapidly
Increasing Priwry-ta- Secondary Leaks"
Rwoo
ElaCtrical belay llMditetm
1219/U
Cased by ODidatien of
Contact Surtaces
R-7 Potentially Substandard
12/1/U
alvo Replace"t Parts
All holdes of OLS
or CS for nuclear
powr reactors.
All baldrs af Oas
or CPI ftr nuclear
pomr reactars.
Al I balder, of OS
or CPs for nuclear
powr reactors.
All major nuclear
intarials licensees
and utilities balding
CPs and a1s.
All heldes af Oas
or th far Puss.
All balders of Cs
er CPs for nuclear
pr
reactors.
All balder of Cta
or Css for nuclear
powr reactors.
Ot - Operating ticense
Cr - Constnurtio" Per-It
UNITED STATES
NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20555
OFFICIAL BUSINESS
PENALTY FOR PRIVATE USE, $300
FIRST CLASS MAIL
POSTAGE & FEES PAID
PERMIT No. 0-67
January 11, 1989
No specific action or written response is required by this information notice.
If you should have any questions about this matter, please contact the
the appropriate NRC regional office or the technical contact listed below.
Richard E. Cunningham, Director
Division of Industrial and
Medical Nuclear Safety
Office of Nuclear Material Safety
and Safeguards
Technical Contact:
K. C.
(301)
Leu, NMSS
492-0696 Attachments:
1. List of Recently Issued NMSS Information Notices
2. List of All Recently Issued NRC Information Notices
Ellen Kraus
reviewed 11/08/88 OFC :*IMIF
- IMIF
- IMAB
- IMIF
- IMSB
- DD/IMNS
- D/IMNS
NAME: KCLeu:lg/mh:FLBrown :MLamastra:JPRoberts:LCRouse :GLSjoblom :RECunningham
DATE: 12/ /88
- 11/23/88:11/23/88 :11/23/88 :12/ /88 :12/ /88 :12/ /88
OFFICIAL RECORD COPY
IN 89- January
, 1989 No specific action or written response is required by this Information Notice.
If you should have any questions about this matter, please contact the
Regional Administrator of the appropriate Regional Office or the technical
contact listed below.
Richard E. Cunningham, Director
Division of Industrial and
Medical Nuclear Safety
Office of Nuclear Material Safety
and Safeguards
Technical Contact:
K. C. Leu, NMSS
(301) 492-0696 Attachment:
List of recently issued NRC Information Notices
- See previous concurrence
Ellen Kraus reviewed 11/08/88 FR-:IMIF
- IMIF
- IMAB
- IMIF
- I w
- DD/IMNS
- D/IMNS
_______-------------------------------------
NAME:KCI : lg/mh:FLBrown :MLamastra:JPRoberts:LtRo se :GLSjoblom:RECunningham
_______.
_________
DATE:12/, ,//88
- 11/23/88:11/23/88 :11/23/88 :12/Z2/88:12/ /88 :12/ /88
____________OFI
RECORD_______________
COPY_-__________________________________
OFFICIAL RECORD COPY
IN 88- November
, 1988 No specific ction or written response is required by this Information Notice.
If you should ave any questions about this matter, please contact the
Regional Admin trator of the appropriate Regional Office or the technical
contact listed b low.
Richard E. Cunningham, Director
Division of Industrial and
Medical Nuclear Safety
Office of Nuclear Material Safety
and Safeguards
Technical Contact:
K. C. Leu, MSS
(301) 492-0 6 Attachment:
List of recently issue NRC Information Notices
Ellen Kraus reviewed 11/08/88 OFC :IMIF
- IMIF
- IMAB
- IMIF
.MSB
- DD/IMNS :D/IMNS
NAME:K Mu:lg/mh:F
- n
MLa astra:JP e
s:Louse :GLSjoblom:RECunningham
DATE:1V/88
88:11A
8 :11/A3/88 :11/
88:11/
/88 :11/
/88
_____--------OFFICIAL
-RECORD C ------------------------
OFFICIAL RECORDC
IN 88- November
1988 3.
IE Information Notice No. 85-54:
A failureo a pressure regulator switch on the pneumatic system to an
Atomic Energ of Canada, Ltd. (AECL) Theratron 60 teletherapy unit caused
an overpressu
condition in the holding tank and prevented the source drawer
from immediate
closing on command.
4. IE Bulletin No.
-04:
The Bulletin descr ed how an operational malfunction of a teletherapy
timer could result
radiation misadministration to patients and possible
excessive radiation e osures to teletherapy operators.
5. NRC Information Notice
. 87-29:
The Notice described seve 1 safety-related incidents at large irradiators.
One event involved an irra *ator source unable to retract to its fully
shielded position due to a
ozen solenoid valve.
Discussion
The above described incidents at mate als license facilities illustrate the
need for facility management to have a adequate maintenance and procurement
program. Therefore, you are urged to r view thoroughly your management controls
program, to ensure that the procedures f r facility equipment controls, equipment
operations, service, repair, or replaceme t are being followed properly. You
should also review your procurement proced es and practices, especially in
areas such as purchase orders, materials re irements, vendor qualifications, and receipt inspections, to ensure quality c pliance and facility safe operation.
No specific action or written response is requ ed by this Information Notice.
If you should have any questions about this mat er, please contact the
Regional Administrator of the appropriate Region
Office or the technical
contact listed below.
Richard E. Cunningh , Director
Division of Industrial and
Medical Nuclear Safety
Office of Nuclear Material Safety
and Safeguards
Technical Contact:
K. C. Leu, NMSS
(301) 492-0696 Attachment: List of recently issued NRC Information Notices
Ellen Kraus reviewed 11/08/8_
FIF
- IMA
- I
vMI
C :IMSB
- DD/IMNS :D/IMNS
NAME:KW
4 lg/mh:_ own :MLamastra:JPR e'rts:LCRouse :GLSjoblom:RECunningham
wet-- -z-- f
-
-
_I----
--- ---- -------------- -------
DATE:ll /88
t/88:11
/88 :11/10/88 :11/
/88:11/ /88 :11/ /88
OFFICIAL RECORD COPY
IN 89- January
, 1989 No specific action or written response is required by this Information Notice.
If you should have any questions about this matter, please contact the
the appropriate NRC Regional Office or the technical contact listed below.
Richard E. Cunningham, Director
Division of Industrial and
Medical Nuclear Safety
Office of Nuclear Material Safety
and Safeguards
Technical Contact:
K. C.
(301)
Leu, NMSS
492-0696 Attachment:
1. List of recently issued NMSS Information Notices
2. List of all recently issued NRC Information Notices
- See previous concurrence
Ellen Kraus
reviewed 11/08/88 OFC :*IMIF
- IMIF
- IMAB
- IMIF
- IMSB
- DD/IMNS
- D/IMNS
NAME: KCLeu:lg/mh:FLBrown :MLamastra:JPRoberts:LCRouse
- GLSjoblom :RECunningham
DATE: 12/ /88
- 11/23/88:11/23/88 :11/23/88 :12/ /88 :12/ /88
- 12/ /88
-_-_-__
-_- _- ___-__-__-_
-__ -__ -_____
-_ -_ -_- _- _- _____________- _- ___- __
OFFICIAL RECORD COPY
IN 89- January
, 1989 No pecific action or written response is required by this Information Notice.
If u should have any questions about this matter, please contact the
the a ropriate NRC Regional Office or the technical contact listed below.
Richard E. Cunningham, Director
Division of Industrial and
Medical Nuclear Safety
Office of Nuclear Material Safety
and Safeguards
Technical Contact:
K.
Leu, NMSS
(301) 492-0696 Attachment: List of recentl
issued NRC Information Notices
- See previous concurrence
Ellen Kraus
reviewed 11/08/88
-_
-_
-_-_-_-_-_-_-
_-_-
_-
_ -_
OFC :*IMIF
- IMIF
- IMAB
- IMIF
- IMSB
- DD/IMNS ,zD/IMNS
A
t1 L
--
-
---
NAME: KCLeu:lg/mh:FLBrown :MLamastra:JPRoberts:LCRouse
- GL bqom:RECunningham
________________-_-
__-
-
-
-
-
-
--
-
-
-
-
-
- -------
m o-
-
-
-
-
DATE: 12/
/88
- 11/23/88:11/23/88 :11/23/88 :12/
/88 %>J/88
- 21/oJ'/8V
OFFICIAL RECORD COPY
IN 89- January
, 1989 o specific action or written response is required by this Information Notice.
r\\,you should have any questions about this matter, please contact the
the\\a
opriate NRC Regional Office or the technical contact listed below.
Richard E. Cunningham, Director
Division of Industrial and
Medical Nuclear Safety
Office of Nuclear Material Safety
and Safeguards
Technical Contact:
K. C. Leu,'NMSS
(301) 492-0696 Attachment: List of recently issued NRC Information Notices
- See previous concurrence
Ellen Kraus reviewed 11/08/88 DFR:IMIF
- IMIF
- IMAB
- IMIF
- IMSB
- DD/IMNS
- D/IMNS
_________________________________________
NAME:KCLeu:lg/mh:FLBrown. :MLamastra:JPRoberts:LCRouse :GLSjoblom:RECunningham
_________________________________________
DATE:12/ /88
- 11/23/88:11/23/88 :11/23/88 :12/ /88:12/ /88 :12/ /88
_________________________________________
OFFICIAL RECORD COPY