A review on condition assessment technologies for power distribution network infrastructure

Reliable performance of the electricity distribution networks is critical to avoid outages and disruptions which may lead to substantial economic losses. Some of the important components of the electricity distribution networks include overhead cables, utility poles, cross-arms, substations, and transformers. These components are subjected to deterioration with aging and pose risks of failure creating safety concerns, specially under extreme weather conditions. Efficient maintenance and the use of accurate condition assessment techniques to monitor the integrity of the aforementioned components are key factors to be considered in managing the electricity distribution assets. This article presents a review of different condition assessment techniques employed for monitoring the electricity distribution infrastructure. The conventional inspection techniques and advancements in non-destructive testing methods are discussed outlining the relative advantages and disadvantages. Other than the normal failures of distribution infrastructure due to component ageing, unexpected and less frequent extreme weather events can have significant impacts on the resilience of the electrical power infrastructure. Thus, the effects of extreme weather conditions on the reliability of the electricity distribution networks and the failure rates of assets are reviewed in this study. Further, the maintenance and decision-making approaches implemented in the power distribution networks are also discussed.