Condition based management of electrical appliances: Life time estimation

A high power high voltage appliance in the electric network usually plays an important role in the electric energy delivery. Therefore maintenance of such as devices is crucial task for their reliable operation. A diagnostics is performed in the defined time periods to get information about this device actual state. In the case of high power transformers and power generators diagnostics include: measurements of dissipation factor, resistance of the insulation system, polarization indexes, partial discharges, sweep response frequency analysis etc. Based on the type of diagnosed machine are chosen diagnostics signals. When a problem is observed, the maintenance or repair is performed. Current goal is to replace this type of diagnostics access by condition based management of electrical devices. It means using of advanced on-line diagnostic system to substitute partially off-line measurements. The advantages are: not interrupted operation of such as device, continuous information about device and its history, possibility of life model employment etc. The paper considers possible problems and advantages in using condition based management.