Failure contributors of my electrical equipment and condition assessment program development

Implementation of condition assessment, or condition-based maintenance, involves many disciplines, such as failure analysis, online diagnostics, diagnostic data interpretation, management and communication, follow-up corrective actions and, lastly, the program maintenance. One of the difficult areas in the development of a comprehensive condition assessment program is the analysis of the probable contributing causes of failures, and selection of the appropriate online diagnostic tools to address the correct failure contributors. The specific failure contributors of the electrical power transmission and distribution equipment are documented in various sources, such as IEEE. This paper illustrates the process of development of a comprehensive condition assessment program for medium-voltage switchgear using the statistical data pertaining to the equipment failure contributing causes. Particular attention is given to the selection of specific online diagnostic techniques that are available today and that will address the specific failure contributors. Presented only briefly are the outage costs and reliability-centered maintenance concepts, related to a condition assessment program.