Applied risk analysis for high voltage equipment

For a save and reliable operation of high voltage equipment the maintenance strategy and condition evaluation is a sufficient part for the utility. Within the maintenance program diagnostic measurements should be evaluated carefully. Only the results of both, diagnostic measurements and analysis of the machine operating dates can give a view to the actual condition of the power equipment. For this reason the measurements and data analysis has to be treated independent and carefully. Based on failure statistics and the results of diagnostics and condition evaluation the reliability of the machines can be determined. For the risk assessment the different kinds of risks and their probability so as the magnitude of damage have to be analyzed. The aim of the diagnostic measurement is to find out any weak points in the machines. Current state of the art at machine diagnostic measurements is to determine the insulation resistance, the dielectric dissipation factor and the partial discharge behaviour. Risk is defined as product of probability and damage of failures. The technical risk analysis of each machine can be done on the basis of the condition evaluation. Until now it is not usual to determine and evaluate the economical and juridical risk in the same detailed way. The aim of the risk analysis is to find any machines with poor condition and high probability for a failure and to prevent the case of a breakdown. Applying risk management the whole machine park can be operated in a save and reliable way.