What is a common metric used to assess system reliability?

A common metric used to assess system reliability is the frequency and duration of outages. This measurement provides essential insight into how often a system experiences interruptions and how long these interruptions last, which are critical factors in determining overall reliability.

Evaluating the frequency of outages gives an indication of how reliable a system is in delivering uninterrupted service. A higher frequency signifies a less reliable system, while lower frequencies indicate better reliability performance. Similarly, examining the duration of outages helps stakeholders understand the impact of these interruptions on consumers and the overall system performance. Short outages might be manageable, while prolonged outages can have significant economic and operational repercussions.

This combination of frequency and duration effectively captures the reliability performance of an electrical system, allowing stakeholders to make informed decisions about maintenance, infrastructure investments, and operational improvements.