Interactive graphic

Why the plant went offline

High vibration and other issues degraded tubes in steam generators at San Onofre, which led to a leak of radioactive steam in one generator. Click through to see the three main types of wear.

Tube-to-Tube

Tube to retainer bars

Tube to anti-vibration bars

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Vibration causes contact between tubes. Most wear was in the U-bend section.

Tubes are moving against stationary retainer bars.

Some anti-vibration bars were too loose to prevent tube movement.

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