COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF THE RELIABILITY OF VACUUM AND OIL CIRCUIT BREAKERS

In modern power systems, switching equipment plays a crucial role in ensuring the safe and reliable connection and disconnection of electrical circuits. A failure of a circuit breaker can lead to serious consequences, including prolonged power outages and damage to expensive equipment. This paper presents a comparative analysis of the reliability of vacuum and oil circuit breakers, considering operational, technical, and economic factors. It examines the main causes of failures, methods of reliability assessment, and provides a comprehensive evaluation of the effectiveness of each type of breaker under various conditions. The novelty of the proposed solution lies in the in-depth analysis of operational characteristics and a multifaceted evaluation of the impact of external factors on equipment reliability. Modern diagnostic and monitoring methods, including thermography, ultrasonic diagnostics, and the integration of IoT systems for real-time monitoring, are used. These approaches improve the processes of equipment selection and operation, ultimately contributing to the overall reliability of power systems. The paper aims to support informed decision-making in equipment selection to enhance the overall reliability of power systems.