Junk Plant Watts Bar 2 Main Transformer Explosion, Can You Believe This New Plant Dog? To top of page

Wonder how old the transformer was? It sounds like they controlled SG level well.

They called in the outside 3 fire department?

Power Reactor	Event Number: 52210
Facility: WATTS BAR Region: 2 State: TN Unit: [ ] [2] [ ] RX Type: [1] W-4-LP,[2] W-4-LP NRC Notified By: CHARLES BROESCHE HQ OPS Officer: MARK ABRAMOVITZ	Notification Date: 08/30/2016 Notification Time: 21:49 [ET] Event Date: 08/30/2016 Event Time: 21:20 [EDT] Last Update Date: 08/31/2016
Emergency Class: UNUSUAL EVENT 10 CFR Section: 50.72(a) (1) (i) - EMERGENCY DECLARED	Person (Organization): JONATHAN BARTLEY (R2DO) CATHY HANEY (R2RA) BRIAN McDERMOTT (NRR) BERNARD STAPLETON (IRD) CHRIS MILLER (NRR)

Unit	SCRAM Code	RX CRIT	Initial PWR	Initial RX Mode	Current PWR	Current RX Mode
2	A/R	Y	98	Power Operation	0	Hot Standby

Event Text

NOTICE OF UNUSUAL EVENT - FIRE IN A MAIN BANK TRANSFORMER A fault occurred on the unit 2 "B" main bank transformer resulting in an oil fire. The main turbine tripped resulting in a reactor trip. All control rods fully inserted and no safety or relief valves lifted. Decay heat is being removed via steam dumps to the main condenser and feeding steam generators with auxiliary feedwater. Electrical power is through the normal shutdown electrical lineup. Offsite assistance was requested from the county and off duty fire brigade members. At 2228, the fire was reported as out. Spray is continuing and a reflash watch is being set. Unit 1 continued to operate at 100% power throughout the event. Notified the DHS SWO, FEMA Ops Center, DHS NICC, FEMA National Watch Center (E-mail) and Nuclear SSA (E-mail). * * * UPDATE AT 2352 EDT ON 08/30/2016 FROM MICHAEL BOTTORFF TO JEFF HERRERA * * * "On August 30, 2016, at 2110 EDT, Watts Bar Nuclear Plant Unit 2 reactor tripped due to an electrical fault affecting the 2B Main Bank Transformer, resulting in a fire in the transformer. "Concurrent with the reactor trip, the Auxiliary Feedwater system actuated as designed. "All Control and Shutdown rods fully inserted. All safety systems responded as designed. The unit is currently stable in Mode 3, with decay heat removal via Auxiliary Feedwater and main steam dump systems. Unit 2 is in a normal shutdown electrical alignment. "The fire was out at 2230 EDT. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation. "The fire was reported at 2149 EDT. Local Fire Departments responded to the site as requested. "The reactor trip and system actuation is being reported under 10CFR50.72(b)(3)(iv)(A) and 10CFR50.72 (b)(2)(iv)(B). "There was no effect on WBN Unit 1. "The NOUE was exited at 2342. "The NRC Senior Resident Inspector has been notified." The Licensee notified the State of Tennessee. Notified the R2DO (Bartley), IRD MOC (Stapleton), NRR EO (Miller), DHS SWO, FEMA Ops Center, DHS NICC, FEMA National Watch Center (E-mail) and Nuclear SSA (E-mail).