Home
Back
Failure Rate Formula:
| From: | To: |
Failure Rate (FR) is a measure of reliability that represents the frequency at which a system or component fails over time. It is the reciprocal of Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF) and is expressed in failures per unit time.
The calculator uses the Failure Rate formula:
Where:
Explanation: The formula calculates how often failures occur based on the average time between failures. A lower MTBF results in a higher failure rate, indicating lower reliability.
Details: Failure rate calculation is essential for reliability engineering, maintenance planning, system design, and risk assessment. It helps organizations predict equipment performance, schedule preventive maintenance, and improve overall system reliability.
Tips: Enter the Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF) in appropriate time units (hours, days, months, etc.). The value must be greater than zero. The calculator will compute the corresponding failure rate.
Q1: What is the difference between FR and MTBF?
A: FR measures failure frequency (failures per unit time), while MTBF measures the average time between failures. They are reciprocals of each other.
Q2: What are typical failure rate units?
A: Common units include failures per hour, failures per million hours (FPMH), or failures per year, depending on the application and industry.
Q3: How is failure rate used in reliability engineering?
A: It's used to predict system reliability, determine maintenance schedules, calculate warranty costs, and compare different component or system designs.
Q4: What factors affect failure rate?
A: Operating conditions, environmental factors, quality of components, maintenance practices, and system age all influence failure rates.
Q5: Can failure rate change over time?
A: Yes, failure rates often follow a "bathtub curve" - high initially (infant mortality), then stable during useful life, and increasing again as components wear out.