IMPACT OF MODIFICATIONS IN ASSET MANAGEMENT PRACTICES ON QUALITY OF SUPPLY FOR INDUSTRIAL CUSTOMERS

Electrical Engineering

Umeme Limited’s industrial customers constitute 9% of the customer base but consume 74% of the power produced. Hence when the quality of supply improves for the minority group of customers, then this will ensure sustainable economic growth. The research involved soliciting responses from customers using questionnaires, observation of network assets in the field and analysis of existing data on the performance of the power supply. An electrical model was developed to simulate the impact of changes in asset management practices on power quality. Reliability of power supply was analysed using Monte Carlo Simulation in MATLAB programme. The research was conducted on Umeme Limited network of Natete District. The findings reveal signs of poor asset management practices which negatively affects the quality of supply to industrial customers. It was demonstrated that poor asset management practices negatively impact on power quality for industrial customers due to increase in contact resistance as a result of poor fusing, poorly made jumpers and joints. The change in resistance significantly affect medium industrial & commercial customers compared to heavy industrial customers. Poor asset management practices reduce the mean time to failure of electrical components which reduces the overall reliability of the supply. Good asset management practices therefore improves power quality by minimizing contact resistance and reliability by good maintenance practices for industrial customers.

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