Post-Earthquake Rapid Assessment Method for Electrical Function of Equipment in Substations

To assess the electrical function of equipment in substations after earthquakes, a rapid assessment method integrating electrical function conversion relation, numerical simulation and map proxy model was introduced. An intermediate mechanical index (IMI) directly related to electrical function could be defined through various theoretical analyses. And a simulation model of equipment is developed for obtaining seismic response data of IMI and easily monitored mechanical indices (EMI). Afterward, a composite map, specifically from the EMI to electrical function, could be formed mathematically by combining the aforementioned conversion and simulation model. Using the response data as training samples, the map would be represented by a proxy model embedded individual or ensemble machine learning algorithms. Once the actual seismic responses are collected by monitoring during earthquakes, the post-earthquake assessment would be conducted based on the input–output operation of the map proxy model. Finally, a practical case was studied using the approach for the electrical contact status of a grid-side bushing installed on a transformer. The error analysis corroborated the accuracy and usefulness of this proposed method. It can be employed analogously for post-earthquake assessments of other equipment and electrical functions, although only one example has validated the feasibility in this paper.