HARTSVILLE, S.C. (AP) -- Progress Energy officials say a faulty electrical relay has caused a reactor to shut down at the Robinson Nuclear Plant near Hartsville.
Utility officials told WBTW-TV that the reactor automatically switched off when a gauge detected a low coolant level Monday.
Progress Energy spokeswoman Jessica Lambert says plant workers determined the relay gave a faulty reading and the coolant level was fine. The reactor remains shut down.
Nuclear Regulatory Commission spokesman Roger Hannah says federal inspectors are following up on the report, but it appears everything happened like it should.
The NRC has been keeping a closer eye on the plant after four reactor shutdowns in less than a year. Hannah says it's too early to determine if the latest shutdown will cause that close scrutiny to continue.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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