Power system equipment aging

This article discussed the issues around power system equipment aging, including concepts of equipment lifetime, approaches to estimating the mean life and age, Weibull and normal-distribution-based models to assess the end-of-life failure probability. The relationship between aging and maintenance activities, limitations of maintenance in extending equipment life, and determination of timing of retirement were also discussed. A few examples showing actual data of transformers, cables, and reactors at BCTC have been presented. Maintenance activities can extend the life of equipment but could be very costly for equipment at their end-of-life stage. A compromise between maintenance and replacement must be carefully considered. RCM and probabilistic analysis approaches are available for utilities to guide maintenance activities and manage aged assets in a more efficient and economic manner.