A fuzzy-logic-based method for maintenance prioritization of high-voltage SF6 circuit breakers, considering uneven wear

High-voltage circuit breakers are among the most critical elements of the switching nodes of the power system. The localization of failures and the restoration of the normal operational mode of the power system are largely determined by the reliable operation of circuit breakers when switching off short circuit currents. This paper presents a fuzzy logic-based method to estimate the reliability of high-voltage SF6 circuit breakers and to set priorities for the maintenance schedule. In this method a realistic mathematical model is combined with a fuzzy inference system, and its effectiveness was tested with a MATLAB-Simulink model. Based on the simulation results, a preventive maintenance strategy for high-voltage SF6 circuit breakers can be proposed for particular operational states and conditions.