NRC Inspectors Visit Indian Point After Transformer Failure

BUCHANAN, N.Y. – The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has launched a special inspection at the Indian Point unit 3 nuclear power plant to evaluate water build-up after the May 9 transformer failure, reports the U.S. NRC.

The U.S. NRC (United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission) launched a special inspection at the Indian Point unit 3 nuclear power reactor May 19.
Photo Credit: *File*

Nicole Briggs

05/19/2015 2:30 p.m.

A three-member team was scheduled to arrive at Indian Point Tuesday, the NRC said.

Putting out the fire, caused by a main transformer failure, caused about 1-2 inches of water to end up on the floor of a room housing electrical equipment, and the team will investigate how the water built up, in addition to the potential for a higher volume of water to affect the equipment.

As specified by the NRC, “none of the electrical equipment became wet or experienced any damage or failures as a result of the water” and all equipment operated as designed to safely shut down the plant, Entergy, which operates Indian Point, said in a statement.

"By design, a small amount of water from the fire protection sprinkler system flows to a floor drain inside this building," Entergy said in the statement. "Due to multiple sprinkler systems activating for this event, the water did not drain as quickly as expected.

"Entergy engineers continue investigating the issue in order to thoroughly understand the source of the water and will continue to work with the NRC to take any appropriate action."

Entergy said it has invested more than $1 billion into equipment to strengthen and enhance safety over the last 10 years.

Click here to read the full NRC report on the Indian Point visit.

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