Abstract: A system for monitoring a useful life of an insulation component of a braking resistor includes a sensor that can be embedded below an outer surface of the insulation component to measure a temperature of the insulation component; and a controller connected to receive a signal from the sensor indicative of the measured temperature of the insulation component, and programmed to compare the measured temperature of the insulation component to a predetermined threshold activation temperature for the insulation component, decrement from a predetermined useful life value for the insulation component a life depreciation value assigned to the measured temperature to determine a remaining life value of the insulation component if the measured temperature of the insulation component is greater than the threshold activation temperature, compare the remaining life value to an end-of-life value for the insulation component, and generate a warning signal if the remaining life value is at or below the end-of-life value.