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Failure Rate Formula:
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Failure rate (λ) is a measure of reliability that quantifies the frequency of failures in a system or component over time. It represents the number of failures per unit time and is commonly expressed in failures per hour.
The calculator uses the failure rate formula:
Where:
Explanation: This formula calculates the average failure rate over a specified observation period, providing a quantitative measure of system reliability.
Details: Failure rate calculation is essential for reliability engineering, maintenance planning, quality control, and risk assessment. It helps organizations predict system performance, schedule preventive maintenance, and improve product design.
Tips: Enter the total number of failures observed and the total operating time in hours. Both values must be positive numbers, with time greater than zero.
Q1: What is the difference between failure rate and failure probability?
A: Failure rate measures frequency of failures over time, while failure probability represents the likelihood of failure within a specific time period.
Q2: What are typical failure rate units?
A: Common units include failures per hour (FPH), failures per million hours (FPMH), or failures per billion hours (FIT - Failure In Time).
Q3: How does failure rate relate to MTBF?
A: Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF) is the reciprocal of failure rate: MTBF = 1/λ for repairable systems.
Q4: What factors affect failure rate?
A: Operating conditions, environmental factors, maintenance practices, component quality, and system design all influence failure rates.
Q5: When is this calculation most useful?
A: This calculation is particularly valuable for reliability analysis, warranty planning, maintenance scheduling, and comparing different system designs.