MTBF
Science & Engineering abbreviation · Engineering
| Stands for | Mean time between failures |
|---|---|
| Categories | Science & Engineering |
MTBF stands for Mean time between failures, an engineering abbreviation also used in technology.
Average operating time between failures of a repairable system, a key reliability measure for equipment such as hard drives, pumps, aircraft components and power supplies. Higher MTBF means more reliable equipment.
Example: The power supply is rated at an MTBF of 500,000 hours at 25 °C ambient.
Usage notes
MTBF is a statistical average for a population and does not predict how long an individual unit will last; a drive rated at one million hours will not typically run for 114 years. For non-repairable items the related measure is mean time to failure (MTTF). Availability is often estimated as MTBF divided by MTBF plus MTTR.
Related abbreviations
More engineering abbreviations
- ID – Inside diameter
- IP – Ingress protection (rating)
- LOTO – Lockout/tagout
- MEP – Mechanical, electrical and plumbing
- MERV – Minimum efficiency reporting value
- MIG – Metal inert gas (welding)
- MTTR – Mean time to repair
- NDT – Nondestructive testing
- NPT – National Pipe Thread
- O&M – Operations and maintenance
- OD – Outside diameter
- OEE – Overall equipment effectiveness