Results of Mechanical Snubber Condition Monitoring on Degradation Rate Over Time

This paper summarizes the current results of Mechanical Snubber Condition Monitoring Programs implemented at certain operating US nuclear power plants. The condition monitoring is utilized to validate reliability and extend service life. Service Life Monitoring is a requirement of ASME OM. Subject operating units with large mechanical snubber populations instituted programmatic condition monitoring as early as 2005/2006. Degradation rates compared over time indicate that the programs resulted in an improvement in the reliability of the mechanical snubber population.