Overview
IEC TS 63060:2019 - Electric energy supply networks: general aspects and methods for the maintenance of installations and equipment - is a Technical Specification published by the IEC (TC 8). It provides guidance to develop maintenance requirements for installations and equipment in public electric power networks, including High-Voltage DC transmission (HVDC). The document focuses on management methods, processes and techniques necessary to achieve safe, reliable operation and acceptable asset availability across the lifecycle of network equipment. It explicitly excludes railway networks, end-consumer installations and power-generation facilities, and does not cover crisis or emergency handling.
Key Topics
- Maintenance management and structure – organization of maintenance roles, responsibilities and the maintenance management framework.
- Maintenance concept and planning – defining maintenance objectives, maintenance levels, indenture levels and development of a maintenance plan.
- Types of maintenance – corrective maintenance, preventive maintenance (periodic/time‑based and condition‑based), reliability‑centred maintenance (RCM) and risk‑based maintenance. (Annex A provides notes on types.)
- Conducting maintenance tasks – planning and issuing work instructions, task execution considerations and safety aspects.
- Documentation and analysis – required records, statistics, and performance indicators to support decision making and continual improvement.
- Assessment and improvement – methods for reviewing and improving maintenance concepts and adapting them to operational experience.
- Condition assessment of equipment – selection catalogues and guidance for determining asset condition across asset classes: substations, low-voltage installations, fuses, power transformers and reactors, surge arresters, overhead lines, cable systems, protection and measuring relays, telecontrol and network technology (Annex B).
Applications
- Utility asset managers and network operators developing or updating maintenance policies, maintenance plans and supportability requirements for public power networks and HVDC systems.
- Maintenance planners, reliability engineers and operations managers who select maintenance strategies (preventive, condition‑based, RCM, risk‑based) to improve availability and manage lifecycle costs.
- Consultants and service providers creating maintenance programs, documentation systems and condition-assessment procedures for electrical distribution and transmission assets.
- Regulators and auditors seeking a recognized framework for maintenance governance and performance monitoring.
Practical value
- Helps align maintenance strategy with required availability and safety targets.
- Guides selection of condition-monitoring and inspection activities tailored to asset type.
- Supports structured documentation and analysis for continuous improvement of maintenance concepts.
Related references
- Terms and definitions referenced in IEC TS 63060 are aligned with IEC Electropedia / IEC 60050. Users should consult IEC webstore and electropedia for further IEC publications and terminology.