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Information Notice No. 83-19: General Electric Type HFA Relay Contact Gap and Wipe Setting Adjustments
SSINS No. 6835 IN 83-19 UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION OFFICE OF INSPECTION AND ENFORCEMENT WASHINGTON, D.C. 20555 April 5, 1983 Information Notice No. 83-19: GENERAL ELECTRIC TYPE HFA RELAY CONTACT GAP AND WIPE SETTING ADJUSTMENTS Addressees: All holders of a nuclear power reactor operating license (OL) or construction permit (CP). Purpose: This information notice is provided as a notification of a potentially significant problem pertaining to the General Electric (GE) Type HFA relay contact wipe and gap adjustments. Improper adjustments can affect the performance of the relay during seismic events. Addressees are expected to review the information for applicability to their facilities. No specific action or response is required. Discription of Circumstances: On July 26, 1982 the GE Nuclear Power, Division in San Jose, California, reported to the NRC under the provisions of 10 CFR Part 21 a condition pertaining to HFA relay contact calibration. During qualification testing of HFA relays it was noted that relay contact adjustments such as the wipe and gap settings affected the relay performance during seismic testing. The problem was identified by GE as the incorrect contact gap and wipe setting of norctsally closed (NC) contacts on some HFA relays. (NC means closed in the deenergized state.) Generally, the relays are initially manufactured with the contacts normally open, but can be changed to normally closed. This change is usually performed at the factory upon request of the purchaser; however, the change can be made in the field. In either case the contact gap and wipe settings must be adjusted properly. If not properly adjusted, the relay contacts may not perform their safety function. HFA relays are used in most safety related systems in BWRs and are also used in some safety systems in PWRs. However, it must be noted that not all of these HFA-relays have NC contacts and therefore may not be affected by the gap and wipe setting problem. GE Nuclear Power Systems Division has informed all affected BWRs of this potential problem by Service Information Letter No. 44, Supplement 4, Attachment B, dated July 27, 1982. However, not all PWR owners may be aware of this problem. 8303040018 . IN 83-19 April 5, 1983 Page 2 of 2 The instruction booklets (GEH 2024 for type HFA 51 and GEK 45484 for type HFA 151) are normally supplied with the relays. Any purchaser that did not receive the booklets can obtain a copy from: General Electric Company Power System Management Business Department 205 Great Valley Parkway Malvern, Pennsylvania 19355 Attention: Customer Service If you have any questions regarding this matter, please contact the Administrator of the appropriate NRC Regional Office or this office. Edwards L. Jordan, Director Division of Emergency Preparedness and Engineering Response Office of Inspection and Enforcement Technical Contact: W Laudan, IE (301) 492-9759 Attachments: List of recently issued IE Information Notices .
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