Cascading Failure

Definitions

European Project Definitions

CIPRNet project

The CIPRNet project uses the following definition:

“A cascading failure occurs when a disruption in one infrastructure causes the failure of a component in a second infrastructure, which subsequently causes a disruption in the second infrastructure.”

DIESIS project

The DIESIS project gives the following definition:

A cascading failure occurs when a disruption in one infrastructure causes the failure of a component in a second infrastructure, which subsequently causes a disruption in the second infrastructure.

National Definitions

Canada

AESO

Cascading means the uncontrolled successive loss of system elements triggered by an incident at any location, resulting in widespread electric services interruption that cannot be restrained from sequentially spreading beyond an area predetermined by studies.

United States

NERC

Cascading: The uncontrolled successive loss of system elements triggered by an incident at any location.

Cascading results in widespread electric service interruption that cannot be restrained from sequentially spreading beyond an area predetermined by studies.

Standard Definition

IEC

Cascading or cascade tripping is the sequential forced tripping of power generation and/or transmission units caused by excessive loading of lines carrying power into or out of an area.

Déclenchements en cascade: déclenchements forcés successifs de groupes de production ou de lignes de transport d'électricité, dus à une surcharge des lignes assurant le transport de l’énergie vers ou hors d'une zone du réseau d'énergie électrique.

See also

• Cascading Effect
• Dependency
• Common cause failure