Risk Assessment Framework for Power Circuit Breakers Based on Condition, Replacement, and Criticality Indices

Suphon Kumpalavalee, Thanapong Suwanasri (), Cattareeya Suwanasri and Rattanakorn Phadungthin
Additional contact information
Suphon Kumpalavalee: Electrical and Software Systems Engineering Program, The Sirindhorn International Thai-German Graduate School of Engineering (TGGS), King Mongkut’s University of Technology North Bangkok, Bangkok 10800, Thailand
Thanapong Suwanasri: Electrical and Software Systems Engineering Program, The Sirindhorn International Thai-German Graduate School of Engineering (TGGS), King Mongkut’s University of Technology North Bangkok, Bangkok 10800, Thailand
Cattareeya Suwanasri: Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, King Mongkut’s University of Technology North Bangkok, Bangkok 10800, Thailand
Rattanakorn Phadungthin: Department of Electronics Engineering Technology, College of Industrial Technology, King Mongkut’s University of Technology North Bangkok, Bangkok 10800, Thailand

Energies, 2025, vol. 18, issue 13, 1-13

Abstract: This paper develops a comprehensive framework for the risk assessment of 115 kV power circuit breakers (PCBs) by evaluating their condition, replacement needs, and criticality to the electrical network. The primary objective is to create a risk assessment tool that enhances maintenance practices and improves operational efficiency. The framework begins with a condition assessment, quantified through the use of a health index, derived from historical diagnostic test results and routine checks. The next step involves a replacement assessment, using a replacement index that considers factors such as age, rating adequacy, and technological obsolescence to determine the necessity of replacement. Finally, a criticality assessment is performed using a criticality index, which evaluates the PCB’s role in the network by factoring in location, load importance, failure severity, and the consequences of failure on network operations. By integrating these indices, the framework offers a holistic view of the associated risks. The methodology is applied to assess the risk of 149 sample PCBs across 30 substations in Thailand, with relevant data collected for each unit. The resulting risk assessments support proactive maintenance, minimize downtime, optimize the allocation of limited resources, and enhance the overall efficiency, reliability, and safety of the electrical network.

Keywords: risk assessment; condition index; replacement index; criticality index; probability of failure; weighting and scoring; power circuit breaker (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/13/3298/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/13/3298/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jeners:v:18:y:2025:i:13:p:3298-:d:1686016

Access Statistics for this article

Energies is currently edited by Ms. Agatha Cao

More articles in Energies from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().