Reliability Evaluation of Equipment

Abstract

The proto-models of electronic equipment are subjected to electrical and environmental tests as per the contractual specification of the equipment. The tests are not adequate for providing high level of confidence in the reliability of equipment. An integrated test program is designed for evaluating electrical and environmental performance and the reliability of equipment. Reliability improvement tests are superimposed with the electrical and environmental tests to the extent feasible in the integrated test program. Subjecting proto-models to the integrated test program is defined as the reliability evaluation of equipment. Performance trend analysis, random vibration, thermal shock, and accelerated burn-in are the reliability improvement tests that are explained with examples. The pre-requisites that should be satisfied for ensuring the effectiveness of reliability evaluation program are listed. Definition of Reliability EvaluationThe proto-models of electronic equipment are subjected to electrical and environmental tests as per the contractual specification of the equipment. The tests are adequate for verifying or demonstrating compliance to the specifications, but they are not adequate for providing high level of confidence in the reliability of the equipment. An integrated test program is designed for evaluating electrical performance, environmental performance, and the reliability of equipment. Reliability improvement tests are superimposed with the electrical and environmental tests to the extent feasible in the integrated test program. Subjecting the proto-models of equipment to the integrated test program is defined as the reliability evaluation of equipment. The test program complements the overstress analyses on the protomodels. Reliability evaluation should not be misconstrued as Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF) evaluation of equipment.