Citation

Husseiny AA, Hagenson RL, Dix TE, Sabri ZA. Reliab. Eng. 1982; 3(2): 109-169.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1982, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/0143-8174(82)90008-7

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Analytical expressions are derived for the reliability, mean time between failure and availability systems of arbitrary redundant levels. A common-cause failure model is introduced to account for the impact of such failure modes on the failure of units in a redundant system. An approximate evaluation method of common-cause failure rates is provided, based on a Poisson model.

Special considerations are given to diesel generators (DG) used for emergency AC power supply in commercial nuclear power plants. Applying the results to compute availabilities of DG units in existing plants showed little improvements in availabilities in using more than three DG units per plant. The results are given in a form that can directly use operational and life test data on failure rates and repair times.