What fails in grid infrastructure
742 grid infrastructure incidents from public reporting, 2005 to 2026. The parts each entry's own reporting mentions, counted; and, for the records the register has classified, the component and the mode where one was established.
Where the reporting mentions a part, transformer is mentioned most often: in 353 of the 742 entries, then cable or overhead line (122) and switchgear or breaker (46). In 295 entries the reporting mentions none of these parts. A mention is not a finding of fault.
Parts mentioned in the reporting
| Part mentioned | Entries | |
|---|---|---|
| Transformer | 353 | |
| Cable or overhead line | 122 | |
| Switchgear or breaker | 46 | |
| Substation building or control room | 10 | |
| Reactor or capacitor | 5 | |
| Not stated | 295 |
Component and mode, from the classified records
Component and mode: 102 grid infrastructure records on the register have an approved record with a controlled component and mode, and 69 of those have no mode established in any public source. The component and mode of each record are in the paid record; these are the counts.
| Component | Records | Mode, where established |
|---|---|---|
| Transformer | 55 | electrical fault 10, external event 5 |
| Switchgear or breaker | 20 | electrical fault 6, external event 2, control_or_software 1 |
| Cable or connection | 4 | external event 2, human or procedural 1, electrical fault 1 |
| other | 1 | external event 1 |
| Not stated | 22 | external event 4 |
Questions answered
What fails most often in grid infrastructure?
Where the reporting mentions a part, transformer is mentioned most often: in 353 of the 742 entries, then cable or overhead line (122) and switchgear or breaker (46). In 295 entries the reporting mentions none of these parts. A mention is not a finding of fault. Component and mode: 102 grid infrastructure records on the register have an approved record with a controlled component and mode, and 69 of those have no mode established in any public source. Each entry says what its sources established and nothing more.
What causes substation fires?
197 of the 742 grid infrastructure entries are fires or thermal events. 519 electrical, 197 thermal / fire, 19 other, 4 mechanical, 2 near-miss, 1 gas release across the whole set. Where a fire service, regulator or operator stated a cause, the entry carries it and says who said it; where none did, the entry says so.
How many grid infrastructure incidents are on the register?
742 entries from 71 countries, 2005 to 2026, 48 of them classed as major. Every entry is written from published reporting with its sources and is free to read.
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