Analysis of Historical Transformer Failure and Maintenance Data for Facility Reliability

Abstract

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has compiled a unique database of equipment failure and maintenance data for critical facilities. This paper provides an in-depth analysis of transformer failure information to show historical trends in failure rates, and how equipment age and maintenance affect component failure. By analyzing over 144 thousand unit years of operational data, this paper paints a more complete picture of component reliability. The data show that careful consideration of detailed failure and maintenance data can better inform facility design and maintenance decisions, ultimately leading to improved system reliability and reduced operational costs.