Availability analysis of a two-unit cold standby system with two switching failure modes

Abstract We consider a 2-unit cold standby redundant system with two switching devices—transfer switch and connect switch. The system is analysed under the assumption that each unit works in three different modes—normal, partial failure and total failure. Failure time distributions of units and connect switch are exponential, whereas repair time distributions are general. At any instant after use the transfer switch fails with probability q = 1−p. Several reliability characteristics of interest to system designers as well as operations managers have been evaluated. A few particular cases are discussed.