Predictive Fault Grouping based on Faulty AC Matrices

In this article, a predictive fault grouping based on the collection of faulty AC matrices at fault-free operating points is presented as a means to approximate the final distribution of faults in equivalence classes using a minimal computational effort. The method is computationally cheap because it avoids performing DC or transient simulations with faults injected and limits itself only to AC simulations with faults activated. The technique provides an approximation, since it does not characterize faults at the corresponding faulty operating point but instead looks at how they would modify the fault-free operating point once injected. The approximate grouping achieves an excellent correlation to the final classification based on the comparison of faulty transient wave-forms. It is not meant as a substitute for the traditional fault injection simulations but as a support to decision making. It allows prioritizing faults to characterize the possible failure modes with a minimum number of fault injections, pushing out fault injections which are estimated to marginally increase the learning.