ⓘ Optimized by Google just now View original

https://support.minitab.com/en-us/minitab/18/help-and-how-to/modeling-statistics/reliability/supporting-topics/distribution-models/exponential-di

Minitab

menu Minitab® 18 Support

Search Minitab 18 Support

Exponential distribution in reliability

analysis
Learn more about Minitab 18 

In This Topic
Uses of the exponential distribution to model reliability data
Probability density function and hazard function for the exponential distribution

Uses of the exponential distribution to model reliability data

The exponential distribution is a simple distribution with only one parameter and is commonly used
to model reliability data. The exponential distribution is actually a special case of the Weibull
distribution with ß = 1.

The exponential distribution provides a good model for the phase of a product or item's life when it
is just as likely to fail at any time, regardless of whether it is brand new, a year old, or several years
old. In other words, the phase before it begins to age and wear out during its expected application.

The exponential distribution is frequently used to model electronic components that usually
do not wear out until long after the expected life of the product in which they are installed.
Examples include components of high-quality integrated circuits, such as diodes, transistors,
resistors, and capacitors.

The exponential distribution is also considered an excellent model for the long, "flat"
(relatively constant) period of low failure risk that characterizes the middle portion of the
Bathtub Curve. This phase corresponds with the useful life of the product and is known as
 the "intrinsic failure" portion of the curve.

However, the exponential distribution should not be used to model mechanical or electric
components that are expected to show fatigue, corrosion, or wear before the expected life of
the product is complete, such as ball bearings, or certain lasers or filaments.

An important property of the exponential distribution is that it is memoryless. The memoryless

property indicates that the remaining life of a component is independent of its current age. For
example, a system that is subjected to wear and tear and thus becomes more likely to fail later in
its life is not memoryless. Therefore, this distribution should be used when the failure rate is
constant during the entire life of the product. The number of failures per unit in time is usually
expressed as percent of failure per unit time, such as percent of failure per thousand hours.

Example 1: Transistors
An electronic component is known to have a constant failure rate during the expected life of a
product. Engineers record the time to failure of the component under normal operating conditions.

Example 2: Filaments
A light bulb company manufactures incandescent filaments that are not expected to wear out
during an extended period of normal use. They want to guarantee it for 10 years of operation.
Engineers stress the bulbs to simulate long-term use and record the months until failure for each
bulb.
Probability density function and hazard function for the
exponential distribution

Probability density function

The probability density function shows that the failure data are skewed to the right

Hazard function

The hazard function shows that the risk of failure is constant

Minitab.com●License Portal●Store●Blog●Contact Us

Copyright © 2017 Minitab Inc. All rights Reserved.

English
By using this site you agree to the use of cookies for analytics and personalized content.  Read our policy

OK