The Reliability Engineering Glossary
Reliability engineering and related fields use a vocabulary unique to our field of endeavor. For example, the term ‘reliability’ has the meaning of ‘trustworthy’ in everyday English use. For us, ‘reliability’ has a precise engineering definition.
Glossary description and plans
This glossary is meant to help us learn the language of reliability engineering. The category of ‘Terms’ is like a dictionary, including terms and their definitions as used by engineers. The category of ‘Methods’ is a listing of the techniques, tools, approaches, or concepts that may be found within a reliability plan. In the near future, we expect to expand the ‘Methods’ pages to include guidelines on use or application, examples, and additional references.
We also plan to expand the glossary to include formulas and failure mechanisms. Please let us know if there is another list of terms that should be added if you do not find a term that should be included or if you would like to recommend a change to an existing entry.
Method Categories
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- Electrostatic discharge sensitive device" An electronic item, discrete device or integrated circuit, which may sustain permanent damage when exposed to electrostatic potentials during routine handling, assembly, testing, shipping, installation, or repair." Read More
- EmergencyTime-critical event that requires immediate action and personnel survival procedures. Read More
- Emergency only controlsControls that are only used during emergencies, e.g., eject, abort. Read More
- End of lifeThe instant an item fails to perform its intended function within desired specifications with no recourse for corrective maintenance. May also refer to the retirement or decommissioning of an item even if still in working order. Read More
- EnvironmentThe aggregate of all external and internal conditions (such as temperature, humidity, shock vibration, magnetic and electric fields, and radiation), whether natural, human made, or self-induced, that influences the form, performance, reliability, or survival of an item. Read More
- Environment and use profiling or characterizationThe set of environmental factors and range (or distribution) of values during manufacturing, shipping, storage, and use appling (or expected to apply) to an item. This includes factors such as weather (e.g.,temperature, humidity, and wind) and usage (e.g., frequency, human interaction,(...) Read More
- Environmental relative humidityThe relative humidity, a measure of water vapor suspended in air, in the immediate area surrounding an item. Read More
- Environmental stress screening (ESS)" A series of tests conducted under environmental stresses to disclose weak parts and workmanship defects for correction." Read More
- Environmental temperature cycleThe change in temperature immediately surrounding an item due to changes in temperature. The diurnal temperature cycle relates to the daily heating and cooling due to the 24 hour day-night cycle. Read More
- Environmental temperature rangeThe difference between the minimum and maximum temperatures occurring in an application within the area or enclosure surrounding an item. Read More
- Environmental test manualA document providing technical details on weather, location, and use factors including statistical summaries and distributions, along with approaches for evaluating an item for those conditions where an item may operate. The manual comprises a documented set of environmental stresses common(...) Read More
- Environmental testingA series of experiments to determine whether an item will successfully function within the range of expected or specified environmental conditions, such as temperature exposure, salt fog exposure, fungus growth, or insect infestation. Read More
- EquipmentA general term designating an item or group of items capable of performing a complete function. Read More
- Equivalent drop heightRelated to drop testing specifications, it is the drop height with free-fall in vacuum under standard gravity from rest must fall to achieve the velocity equal to the velocity in the test specification. Read More
- ErrorEither an action that is not intended or desired by the person or a failure on the part of the person to perform a prescribed action within specified limits of accuracy, sequence, or time that does not produce the expected result and has led or has the potential to lead to an unwanted consequence. Read More
- Error of resultsThe test or measurement results minus the true value (or the accepted reference value) and consists of the sum of random and systematic errors. Read More
- Error proofingA method to identify and mitigate potential problems in product design or manufacturing processes by modifying the design or process to ensure that anticipated errors are less likely to occur during assembly or manufacturing. Read More
- Error termA random variable in a model representing the difference between the response variable and the assumed model prediction. Also known as residual error. Read More
- ESD withstand voltageThe highest electrostatic voltage that will not cause device failure and the item does not sustain damage or exhibit failure with lower applied voltages. Read More
- EthicalConforming to accepted standards of conduct or practice, especially the standards of a profession. Read More
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