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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- 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
- Interface DeviceAn item which provides mechanical and electrical connections and any signal conditioning required between the automatic test equipment (ATE) and the unit under test (UUT); also known as an interface test adapter or interface adapter unit. Read More
- Intermediate precisionPrecision under a set of intermediate precision conditions. Read More
- Intermediate precision conditionsThe set of observation conditions where independent test/measurement results using the same method on identical test/measurement items with the same test or measuring facility under some different operating condition. Read More
- Intermediate precision critical differenceThe value less then or equal to the absolute difference between two final values. The values representing a series of test or measurement results obtained under intermediate precision conditions and with an expected specific probability. Read More
- Intermediate precision limitThe intermediate precision critical difference with a 95% probability. Read More
- Intermediate precision standard deviationThe test or measurement results standard deviation obtained under intermediate precision conditions. Read More
- Intermetallic fractureA flip chip solder joint tensile pull failure when the fracture surface occurs at an intermetallic formed between the solder and the device or substrate. Read More
- Internal electromagnetic pulse (IEMP) (IEMP)A type of electromagnetic pulse generated by electrons ejected from the surface of an enclosure’s conducting surfaces due an interaction a energetic photon pulse with the surface material. Read More
- Internal structural itemAny portion of the structure whose inspection requires the opening of access doors or the removal of covering items. Read More
- InterpretableCapable of being explained or told the meaning of; translated into intelligible or familiar language or terms. Read More
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