Analysis of Historical Transformer Failure and Maintenance Data: Effects of Era, Age, and Maintenance on Component Failure Rates

For several decades, The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has maintained a unique database of equipment failure and maintenance data for critical facilities. This article takes a closer look at historical transformer failure and maintenance data, and provides a unique analysis of failure trends. Detailed analysis shows that failure rates for different categories of transformers demonstrate unique trends over time, with equipment age, and with respect to preventative maintenance levels. By analyzing over 144 thousand unit years of operational data, this article paints a more complete picture of component reliability. The data show that careful consideration of detailed failure and maintenance can better upgrade facility design and maintenance decisions, ultimately leading to improved system reliability and reduced operational costs.