High-voltage disconnect switches represent essential equipment in power transmission and distribution networks, enabling safe electrical isolation during maintenance and emergency situations. However, these devices operate in demanding environments subject to thermal stress, mechanical wear, and environmental contamination, making failure analysis critical for grid reliability.
This research introduces a comprehensive FMECA approach tailored specifically for HVDS equipment. The methodology systematically identifies potential failure modes, evaluates their consequences on system safety and reliability, and prioritizes intervention strategies. The analysis employs cause-and-effect diagrams to trace root causes back to specific degradation mechanisms, providing insights that traditional fault monitoring alone cannot deliver.
The study's innovation lies in its multi-criteria sensor selection process. Rather than deploying all available monitoring sensors indiscriminately, the framework ranks sensors by their Risk Priority Number (RPN) alongside practical considerations including detection effectiveness and installation feasibility. This balanced approach ensures utilities invest in monitoring infrastructure that maximizes return on investment.
Key findings reveal that certain failure modes pose disproportionate risks to system stability, enabling utilities to concentrate resources where impact is highest. The RPN-based ranking helps establish maintenance schedules that address critical degradation pathways before catastrophic failures occur.
For power system operators, this FMECA framework transforms maintenance from reactive troubleshooting to proactive planning. By establishing clear cause-effect relationships and quantified risk assessments, utilities can justify capital investments in condition-monitoring systems and optimize staffing for planned interventions.
The methodology supports the broader industry shift toward predictive and condition-based maintenance, reducing unplanned downtime while extending equipment life. As aging infrastructure demands smarter management strategies, systematic failure analysis tools like FMECA become increasingly valuable for maintaining grid resilience in evolving power systems.
