Characterization of distribution system interruption duration

There is significant interest in improving distribution system reliability and power quality. As a result, there is a strong interest in improving the tools and models that predict future system performance in these areas. The duration of interruptions is a significant factor in system reliability/quality, both in documenting the system performance and in modeling the system for the purpose of evaluating competing design options. This paper presents interruption duration operating data for a large utility over an eight year operating period. It examines the potential of the Weibull and Burr probability distributions for modeling the durations.