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
2
- 2nd level interconnectThe electrical and often mechanical connection between an electronic device or component and a printed circuit board. Solder joints, for example, interconnect an integrated circuit (IC) package leads to the pads of a printed circuit board. Read More
6
- 6 SigmaA set of techniques and tools for process improvement. Characterized with five steps, DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control) Read More
𝐴
- 𝐴-optimal designAn optimal design that maximizes the trace of 𝑋′𝑋, where 𝑋 is the design matrix. This is useful to minimize the sum of the variances of the different regression coefficient estimators. Read More
𝒟
- 𝒟-optimal designAn optimal design that maximizes the determinant of 𝑋′𝑋, where 𝑋 is the design matrix. Useful to produce high precision regression parameter estimates. Read More
𝐺
- 𝐺-optimal designAn optimal design that minimizes the maximum variance of predicted values over the design region. Read More
a
- ABC AnalysisAn inventory categorization technique with ‘A items’ with very tight control and accurate records, ‘B items’ with less tightly controlled and good records, and ‘C items’ with the simplest controls possible and minimal records. Read More
- ABC classificationA grouping of inventory items according to item price times volume. Criteria for classes may vary yet tend to be similar to this example - Class A items represent 20% of items accounting for 70% of value (high value); Class B items represent 30% of items accounting for 25% of value (moderate(...) Read More
- AbscissaIn mathematics, an abscissa is the number whose absolute value (modulus) is the perpendicular distance of a point from the vertical axis. Read More
- Absolute liabilityA standard that implies that the company is responsible to compensate a user for any loss or damage regardless of any measure of reasonable, unreasonable, or negligent activities of the user. Read More
- Absolute maximum rated junction temperatureThe maximum junction temperature of an operating device, beyond which damage may occur. Read More
- Absolute maximum rated temperatureThe maximum junction or ambient temperature of an operating device (as listed on datasheet) beyond which damage may occur. Read More
- The maximum applied voltage to a device (as listed on datasheet) beyond which damage may occur. Read More
- Absolute maximum ratingAn established value defining a limiting capability or condition beyond which damage may occur to the item. Read More
- Absolute pressureA pressure reading that is zero-referenced against a perfect vacuum, using an absolute scale, so it is equal to gauge pressure plus atmospheric pressure. Read More
- Absolute safetyThe total absence of harmful situations. Read More
- Absolute temperatureThe temperature of an object on a scale where 0 is taken as absolute zero. Absolute temperature scales are Kelvin (degree units Celsius) and Rankine (degree units Fahrenheit). Read More
- Absolute zero (temperature)The temperature at which a system is in the state of lowest possible (minimum) energy. As molecules approach this temperature their movements drop towards zero. It is the lowest temperature a gas thermometer can measure. No electronic devices work at this temperature. Read More
- Accelerated equivalent soakThe use of higher temperature for a shorter time compared to a standard soak, achieving approximately the same amount of moisture absorption. Read More
- Accelerated life testing (ALT)An experiment conducted to ascertain the time-to-failure characteristics of an item attributable to a specific failure mechanism. ALT shortens the time to failure by using more stressful conditions or higher use rates. Read More
- Acceleration factor (AF)The ratio of the time it takes for a specific fraction of the population to fail corresponding to the time at more severe stress to use condition. The change in time-to-failure is due to a change in stress or multiple stresses. Read More
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