𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗠𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘀

Power system reliability is an important aspect of the grid that impacts electricity security and dependability.

Electrical equipment may fail unexpectedly or unplanned. In some instances, it is shut down for planned or routine maintenance.

In any instance, have we planned for any redundancy if there is a failure?

This brief post demonstrates key reliability metrics with a simple example.

𝟭. 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗳𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 (λ𝗔):
The number of failures per year is known as the active failure rate. It informs us of the chances of a device failing within a period. This information is important because it helps plant or facility management understand the number of failures expected within a year. A higher λA means that the equipment is unreliable and would have to be shut down for more maintenance work. Downtime increases with an increase in the active failure rate.

2. 𝗠𝗲𝗮𝗻 𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲 Between Failures (𝗠𝗧BF):
It is the mean exposure time between consecutive failures of a component.
MBTF is an important metric that informs facility management or maintenance team the average time it takes a component to run or operate before it fails.

3. 𝗠𝗲𝗮𝗻 𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗧𝗼 𝗥𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗶𝗿 (𝗠𝗧𝗧𝗥):
This is the average number of hours spent repairing damaged or failed equipment and restoring it to normalcy.
This is important because it tells management how long a maintenance crew will take to fix a failed device and restore normal operations.

4. 𝗠𝗲𝗮𝗻 𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗧𝗼 𝗙𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘂𝗿𝗲 (𝗠𝗧𝗧𝗙):
It is the average time a device works as expected before it runs into a failure. This key metric is relevant because it helps you to know how reliable a system or equipment is before it is likely to fail. A higher number shows that the systems will take longer before failing.

5. 𝗠𝗲𝗮𝗻 𝗥𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗶𝗿 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲 (μ):
It is the average number of repairs per year. A lower number is preferable because it shows fewer failures.

6. 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗰𝗲𝗱 𝗢𝘂𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲 (𝗙𝗢𝗥):
This determines an equipment's unavailability. The lower the failure rate, the better for a system's reliability. Continuous operations will be expected, reducing downtime and increasing ROI.

Power outages are expensive, making reliability a key metric for power systems security and the economics of nations or enterprises.

A power transformer is used as an example in this illustration.
For further details on the power system's design of reliability, refer to IEEE Standard 493, also known as the Gold Book - "IEEE Recommended Practice for the Design of Reliable Industrial and Commercial Power Systems"

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