System and equipment performance assessment [power systems]

Reliability of service has always been of primary importance to electric power utilities and there are many publications which describe the various levels of activity and application associated with providing acceptable service. Assessment of reliability can be divided into the two fundamental segments of measuring past performance and predicting future performance. Both applications involve the collection of system and equipment performance data. The level and complexity of the data collection system is entirely dependent upon the use to be made of these data. There are many reasons for collecting system and equipment performance data. Some of the more popular applications are described. The relationship between power system and equipment performance assessment is also illustrated in this paper using the framework adopted by the Canadian electric utility industry