Development of a framework for safety and resilience in overhead power cables: Use of a fuzzy inference system for risk and reliability analysis

Ensuring the safety, resilience, and reliability of overhead low-voltage (LV) and medium-voltage (MV) power cables in aging infrastructure is vital for maintaining essential services and mitigating risks in electrical power distribution systems. This study introduces a novel framework that integrate...

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Main Authors: A.M. Sakura R.H. Attanayake, R.M. Chandima Ratnayake, T. Markeset
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: KeAi Communications Co., Ltd. 2025-12-01
Series:Journal of Safety Science and Resilience
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666449625000477
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author A.M. Sakura R.H. Attanayake
R.M. Chandima Ratnayake
T. Markeset
author_facet A.M. Sakura R.H. Attanayake
R.M. Chandima Ratnayake
T. Markeset
author_sort A.M. Sakura R.H. Attanayake
collection DOAJ
description Ensuring the safety, resilience, and reliability of overhead low-voltage (LV) and medium-voltage (MV) power cables in aging infrastructure is vital for maintaining essential services and mitigating risks in electrical power distribution systems. This study introduces a novel framework that integrates fault tree analysis (FTA)/failure mode and effect analysis (FMEA) and a fuzzy inference system (FIS) to systematically address performance variability and enhance the operational life of these critical assets while ensuring safety and resilience. This structured framework employs risk-informed decision-making as well as reliability-based safety and resilience assurance, incorporating international standards and best practices. Under this methodology, the FIS models uncertainties in asset performance, using expert-defined rules and membership functions to categorize risk levels and assess failure severity. A case study is performed on overhead MV power cables, specifically the ''Racoon'' all-aluminum alloy conductor (AAAC), demonstrating its practical implementation. The results reveal that for typical environmental conditions and design parameters, the yearly reliability of the conductor is nearly 1, indicating compliance with IEC standards. Furthermore, a risk matrix is developed using current carrying capacity (CCC), a failure mode obtained from the FTA as the probability of occurrence, and power shutdown duration (PSD) as the severity indicator. The risk matrix estimates the potential risk (PR) level based on CCC and PSD inputs. For example, for CCC = 260 A and PSD = 50 min, the resulting PR is 12.9, indicating a moderate risk exists. These risk levels guide appropriate resilience actions, ensuring proactive power cable management by identifying critical risks, prioritizing mitigation measures, and ensuring adaptability and compliance. This approach not only addresses the challenges of aging infrastructure but also contributes to long-term system integrity and operational reliability.
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spelling doaj-art-495e99751fe44bd2959ce4d997d5ce742025-08-20T03:41:54ZengKeAi Communications Co., Ltd.Journal of Safety Science and Resilience2666-44962025-12-016410021310.1016/j.jnlssr.2025.03.005Development of a framework for safety and resilience in overhead power cables: Use of a fuzzy inference system for risk and reliability analysisA.M. Sakura R.H. Attanayake0R.M. Chandima Ratnayake1T. Markeset2Corresponding author.; University of Stavanger, Stavanger, NorwayUniversity of Stavanger, Stavanger, NorwayUniversity of Stavanger, Stavanger, NorwayEnsuring the safety, resilience, and reliability of overhead low-voltage (LV) and medium-voltage (MV) power cables in aging infrastructure is vital for maintaining essential services and mitigating risks in electrical power distribution systems. This study introduces a novel framework that integrates fault tree analysis (FTA)/failure mode and effect analysis (FMEA) and a fuzzy inference system (FIS) to systematically address performance variability and enhance the operational life of these critical assets while ensuring safety and resilience. This structured framework employs risk-informed decision-making as well as reliability-based safety and resilience assurance, incorporating international standards and best practices. Under this methodology, the FIS models uncertainties in asset performance, using expert-defined rules and membership functions to categorize risk levels and assess failure severity. A case study is performed on overhead MV power cables, specifically the ''Racoon'' all-aluminum alloy conductor (AAAC), demonstrating its practical implementation. The results reveal that for typical environmental conditions and design parameters, the yearly reliability of the conductor is nearly 1, indicating compliance with IEC standards. Furthermore, a risk matrix is developed using current carrying capacity (CCC), a failure mode obtained from the FTA as the probability of occurrence, and power shutdown duration (PSD) as the severity indicator. The risk matrix estimates the potential risk (PR) level based on CCC and PSD inputs. For example, for CCC = 260 A and PSD = 50 min, the resulting PR is 12.9, indicating a moderate risk exists. These risk levels guide appropriate resilience actions, ensuring proactive power cable management by identifying critical risks, prioritizing mitigation measures, and ensuring adaptability and compliance. This approach not only addresses the challenges of aging infrastructure but also contributes to long-term system integrity and operational reliability.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666449625000477Framework, Fuzzy inference system (FIS)International standardsPower cablesReliabilityResilienceRisk
spellingShingle A.M. Sakura R.H. Attanayake
R.M. Chandima Ratnayake
T. Markeset
Development of a framework for safety and resilience in overhead power cables: Use of a fuzzy inference system for risk and reliability analysis
Journal of Safety Science and Resilience
Framework, Fuzzy inference system (FIS)
International standards
Power cables
Reliability
Resilience
Risk
title Development of a framework for safety and resilience in overhead power cables: Use of a fuzzy inference system for risk and reliability analysis
title_full Development of a framework for safety and resilience in overhead power cables: Use of a fuzzy inference system for risk and reliability analysis
title_fullStr Development of a framework for safety and resilience in overhead power cables: Use of a fuzzy inference system for risk and reliability analysis
title_full_unstemmed Development of a framework for safety and resilience in overhead power cables: Use of a fuzzy inference system for risk and reliability analysis
title_short Development of a framework for safety and resilience in overhead power cables: Use of a fuzzy inference system for risk and reliability analysis
title_sort development of a framework for safety and resilience in overhead power cables use of a fuzzy inference system for risk and reliability analysis
topic Framework, Fuzzy inference system (FIS)
International standards
Power cables
Reliability
Resilience
Risk
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666449625000477
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