Reliability analysis of multi-unit cold standby system with two operating modes
Abstract This paper investigates the mathematical model of a system composed of n dissimilar units—one functioning and others either failed or cold standbys. Each unit of the system has three possible modes—normal, partial failure and total failure. There is a perfect switch to operate the leading standby unit on total failure of the operative unit. The failure and repair times of each unit are assumed to follow arbitrary distributions. Several reliability characteristics of interest to system designers as well as operations managers have been evaluated and relevant results obtained earlier are derived as particular cases.