Numerous nuclear facilities in the United States are being investigated for misuse of "copycat parts"

　　[Global Times Comprehensive Report] The abuse of "copycat parts" and the use of shoddy parts has led to investigations by energy regulators at many nuclear facilities in the United States.

The investigation found that there were more than 100 related accidents at U.S. nuclear facilities last year alone.

　　Reuters recently reported that a source reported to the U.S. authorities that the vast majority of U.S. nuclear facilities were using "fake parts", which aroused great attention from nuclear energy regulators, and the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) immediately launched an investigation.

On the 9th of this month, the NRC released an investigation report confirming that there was indeed a similar situation.

　　Typically, a nuclear facility consists of millions of components, all of which need to meet specific manufacturing processes and specifications.

Counterfeit or substitute parts that do not meet specifications are considered "counterfeit, fraudulent and suspect" (CFSI) by regulators, and the use of such parts is illegal.

According to NRC, "copycat parts" are widely used in US nuclear facilities, such as valves, bearings, pipe fittings and some steel structures.

Due to the relatively hidden location of these components, they are usually not easily detected.

　　Investigators also found that some nuclear facilities had malfunctioned due to the misuse of "copycat parts."

According to the head of a nuclear facility in the northeastern United States, an out-of-specification water pump was installed at the facility, and it didn't take long for it to wear out.

At another nuclear facility, monitors used to monitor the temperature of steam lines suddenly shut down, and it was found that the instruments had used faulty parts during previous repairs and maintenance.

　　An NRC spokesman said the issues identified so far would not immediately lead to a safety incident, and they would take remedial measures accordingly.

However, in the eyes of many people, as the main regulator of nuclear facilities in the United States, the NRC's regulatory measures are obviously not perfect, not to mention that the components installed in nuclear facilities are determined by the facility owner, and the NRC does not have the right to speak.

There are also reports that the NRC's investigation only covers four nuclear facilities, while there are dozens of nuclear facilities in the United States.

(Liu Haoran)