Aging Power Delivery Infrastructures, 2nd Edition

11 Equipment Condition Assessment

11.1 INTRODUCTION

Assessment of the condition of power system equipment, and decisions about what service and utilization is appropriate for each unit, begins with the inspection, testing, and diagnostic methods covered earlier in this book. These basic tools for condition assessment provide the data, which when interpreted, lead to decisions regarding:

1. Whether the unit is suitable for service or must be withdrawn and repaired.

2. Whether more comprehensive, invasive, and expensive tests are justified before making such a decision.

3. The condition of the unit – if and how it deteriorates with age and service and its viability for future service.

4. To be effective, inspection, diagnostics, and testing must ...