Has there been a study conducted that shows the lifespan of electrical equipment and if so, are the results public knowledge? It might show anything from televisions & PC to pumps & motors lifespan.

Amber,

Here's what some authors have said in an IEEE paper:

"... There are a number of literatures on actual lifespan distribution of products in our society; however, existing information is not well organized. The authors created a database named LiVES (Lifespan database for Vehicles, Equipment, and Structures) by reviewing existing lifespan data of various types of product including electrical and electronic equipment (EEE)..."

Hopefully someone on your staff is a member of IEEE and has access to the data.

Alan

Thank you. We actually do have a member of IEEE here. Thank you for this information. I will have him check it out.

I am in the field of Diagnostic studies and RLA studies on Electrical Power equipment for the last 35 years. Even though it is possible to predict the life of a sample bar / coil under the predefined thermal and mechanical stresses in laboratory condition, it is difficult to predict the life of an electrical apparatus in actual operating conditions. Life of an electrical equipment depends upon so many variable operational conditions like temperature, electrical surges, mechanical stresses, vibrations, load conditions, etc; in addition to the maintenance practices and replacement damaged parts. Even though some multinational companies claim that they can estimate the life of an electrical equipment like motors, generators, transformers, etc;, honestly I do not believe them and it is some sort of bluffing only. From the diagnostic tests, we can tell the condition of the equipment only so that the customer can take corrective steps during over haul and operation of the equipment. With periodic tests, it is possible to give trending analysis about the condition of the equipment.

NV Satyanarayana
Powertest Asia Pvt Ltd.

Dear Amber Staab,
It would be advisable that you advise the technical people concerned to believe in what Mr. Satyanarayana NV has expressed. If the situation is real life, Statistical Data doesn't always help and FINANCIAL RISK of dependence on statistical data published by manufacturers may at times be disastrous.