A reliability centered optimal visual inspection model fordistribution feeders

摘要

For an electric power distribution system, highly reliablenoperation is important for maintaining customer satisfaction. Tonmaintain high levels of system reliability, inspection is used tonidentify potential problems, allowing necessary maintenance actions tonbe taken before failure occurs. The question is then how much inspectionnis required to maintain high reliability levels. This paper describes anMarkov model of the inspection process. The model finds the optimalninspection frequency by considering the tradeoff between the cost ofninspection and the cost of poor reliability. An objective function isnformulated that minimizes the total cost of inspection, repair, andnreliability. This model has been specifically created for determiningnthe optimal visual inspection frequency for distribution feedernrights-of-way. The results from applying this model to a practicalndistribution system are presented, and extensions of this model to othernsystems are discussed