Lessons Learned Issued in 1996
POTENTIAL SHOCK HAZARD FROM EBERLINE RADIACS

IDENTIFIER: 1996-RL-WHC-0005        

Date: January 19, 1996

LESSON LEARNED STATEMENT:

Personnel who work inside Eberline radiation instruments should
excercise extra caution to avoid electrical shock.

Only the appropriate electrical power cords should be used on Eberline
instruments.

DISCUSSION OF ACTIVITIES:
SUMMARY:

A polarity problem with the 120 VAC detachable power supply cords on
many Eberline portable radiation monitors may present a shock hazard to
personnel when working inside the instrument cabinets.  THERE IS NOT A
SHOCK HAZARD TO USERS OF THE INSTRUMENTS.

DETAILS:

PNNL Rad Con Instrumentation has been investigating an electrical
problem with many of the portable radiation monitoring instruments used
at Hanford.  Eberline radiacs use power cords furnished by Belden
Company.  Belden sells two different power supply cords which look
similar and appear completely interchangeable.  Both cords have the same
15A, 125VAC, NEMA 5-15 plug.  However, the molded PVC 3-contact
connectors (PH-163) on the device end of these cords have opposite
polarities.  When the wrong power supply cord is used, the power switch
and line fuse on the instrument are connected to the neutral conductor.
This is a NEC code violation and an electrical safety problem.
    
Most Eberline monitoring devices are wired the same and use the cord
with the non-standard polarity.  However, the power cord used on other
instrument types does not have the correct polarity for Eberline
instruments.  These detachable power supply cords are easily
interchanged and difficult to control.

The Eberline Instruments using the non-standard AC cord are listed on
page two of this bulletin. Belden power cord model #17280 has standard
polarity per UL 817 and CSA 895B and should NOT be used on the Eberline
instruments listed.  Belden model #17952 has polarity, neutral and lines
reversed and is the only cord to be used on the Eberline Instruments
listed.  The non-standard cords come from the manufacturer with a paper
label stating that they have reversed polarity but the labels are
susceptible to damage and are easily lost.
    
AS AN IMMEDIATE FIX, APPROPRIATE POWER CORDS FOR EBERLINE INSTRUMENTS
WILL BE MARKED WITH A GREEN STRIP OF TAPE.  ONLY POWER CORDS IDENTIFIED
WITH THIS GREEN STRIP OF TAPE SHALL BE USED WITH THE EBERLINE
INSTRUMENTS ON THIS LIST.

ANALYSIS:
Eberline Instruments using non-standard AC cord

  ALPHA-3  Alpha Air Monitor (CAM)
  ALPHA-4  Alpha Air Monitor (CAM) - model unique to Hanford
  BC-4   Beta Counter
  MS-2   Mini Scaler
  MS-3   Mini Scaler
  RM-14   Radiation Monitor (Bench Monitor)
  RM-16   Radiation Monitor
  RM-19   Radiation Monitor
  RM-20XMI  Radiation Monitor
  RMS-II HRU  Area Rad. Monitoring System - Half Rack Unit
  RMS-II RU  Area Rad. Monitoring System - Rack Unit
  SAC-4   Scintillation Alpha Counter
  SAM-2   Stabilized Assay Meter
  TA-55   CAM 
  TA-55   HF
  HM-4    Hand Monitor
  HFM-4   Hand and Foot Monitor

RECOMMENDED ACTIONS:
Facilities with the subject instruments should insure that only the
proper cords are used.

ORIGINATOR: Westinghouse Hanford Co.

CONTACT: John Bickford; Telephone: (509)373-7664, FAX: (509)372-0270
         e-mail: John_C_Bickford@rl.gov

AUTHORIZED DERIVATIVE CLASSIFIER:  Terry Vail, (509)373-2092

REVIEWING OFFICIAL:  J. C. Bickford, (509)373-7664

PRIORITY DESCRIPTOR: YELLOW/Caution

FUNCTIONAL CATEGORY: 440 Worker Protection

KEYWORDS: shock, radiacs, power cord, polarity

REFERENCES:
Occurrence Report  RL--PNL-PNLBOPER-1996-0003