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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- Inspection, rectifyingThe inspection of all or a portion of items in a lot previously rejected by an acceptance sampling inspection, such that all nonconforming items are removed or replaced. Read More
- Inspection, reducedAn inspection process, which is less severe than normal inspection based on the process quality level is demonstrably better than that specified. Read More
- Inspection, samplingThe examination of selected items in the group. Read More
- Inspection, screeningThe 100% inspection with rejection of any item found nonconforming. Read More
- Inspection, sequential acceptance samplingAn acceptance sampling inspection that after each the inspection of each item a decision to accept, reject, or continue sampling is based on the cumulative sampling evidence to date. Read More
- Inspection, single acceptance samplingAn acceptance sampling inspection where the decision is based on a defined rules and uses the inspection results obtained from a single sample of predetermined size. Read More
- Inspection, skip-lot acceptance samplingAn acceptance sampling inspection where some lots in a series are accepted without inspection, if a stated number of immediately proceeding lots met the stated criteria. Read More
- Inspection taskA scheduled task requiring testing, measurement, or visual inspection for explicit failure evidence by maintenance personnel. Read More
- Inspection, tightenedAn inspection process, which is more severe than normal inspection based on the process quality level is demonstrably worse than that specified. Read More
- Inspection, verification acceptance samplingA sample inspection to determine if a producer’s sampling procedure is consistent with the declared acceptance sampling inspection system. Read More
- Instantaneous failure rate, h(t) (h(t))The rate at which devices are failing referenced to the survivors (not to the initial number of units). Also known as hazard rate. h(t) = f(t)/R(t). Read More
- Insulative materialMaterial with a surface or volume resistance equal to or greater than 1 × 1011 ohms. Read More
- Integrated circuit (IC) (IC)A electronic circuit with all or some of the elements inseparably assembled and electrically interconnected such that it is considered an indivisible construction or a single device. Read More
- Integrated diagnosticsA structured process which maximizes the effectiveness of diagnostics by integrating pertinent elements, such as testability, automatic and manual testing, training, maintenance aiding, and technical information as a means for providing a cost effective capability to unambiguously detect and(...) Read More
- Integrated product teamA concurrent engineering team made up of individuals representing all relevant disciplines associated with a product's design, manufacturing, and marketing. All members work together using shared knowledge and capabilities to develop and manufacture a product in which requirements are(...) Read More
- Inter-rater agreementThe degree of agreement among raters. It gives a score of how much homogeneity, or consensus, there is in the ratings given by the appraisers. Also known as inter-rater reliability, or concordance. Options to measure inter-rater agreement include: joint-probability of agreement, Cohen's kappa(...) Read More
- InteractionEvent that occurs when the effect of one input factor on the output depends upon the level of another input factor. In designed experiments, a significant combined effect or outcome resulting from two or more variables. Read More
- Interaction plotA graphical design of experiments analysis method plotting the main effects plot for a single factor constructed or each level of another factor. Parallel lines indicate little or no interaction between factors. When not parallel, indicates factor interaction. Very different slopes indicate(...) Read More
- InterchangeRemoving the item that is to be replaced and installing the replacement item. Read More
- InterchangeabilityThe ability to interchange, without restriction, like equipment or portions thereof in manufacture, maintenance, or operation. Like products are two or more items that possess such functional and physical characteristics as to be equivalent in performance and durability, and are capable of(...) Read More
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