Reliability Considerations for Distribution Automation Equipment

Adequate reliability of distribution automation equipment for control, monitoring, and protection is essential to performance of automated distribution systems and to their acceptance by electric utilities. It is necessary to establish reliability goals for this equipment. A number of factors influence equipment costs and maintenance costs. Some of these are parts quality, redundancy, and the skill level of maintenance personnel. Self test capabilities can provide improved availability even though distribution automation equipment is more complex in design. Considerations to achieve lowest annual revenue requirements are presented.