A quantitative reliability metric expressing the frequency of failures per unit of operation time, computed as the number of observed failures divided by the total accumulated operating time of the system or component. Parameters: (1) the population under observation, (2) the time window, and (3) whether failed units are replaced (exponential decay) or not (bathtub curve). The measure persists through mathematical notation (lambda, λ), standardized engineering tables, and regulatory reporting frameworks (IEC 60300, MIL-HDBK-338). [formal: velocitas defectus | substrate: mind | horizon: a moment | explicit: yes | epoch: 0.01]
Accepted ontology entry
failure-rate
A quantitative reliability metric expressing the frequency of failures per unit of operation time, computed as the number of observed failures divided by the total accumulated operating time of the system or component. Parameters: (1) the…
Definition
Why it is in scope
A human-made reliability metric that quantifies the frequency of failures over a specified period of operation — the count of failures divided by total operating time. Built to persist through mathematical formalization in engineering practice and standardized in reliability standards (IEC 60300, MIL-HDBK-338).
Names and aliases
- failure-rateen · CANONICAL
Relations from this entry
- cmrwiv1rn00a8soacg5vdpiogINSTANCE_OF →
failure-rate is a specific kind of metric — it measures the rate of failure events. A competent speaker would call a failure rate 'a metric.'
- cms7wyk72004ph6s8d82lhwqlSERVES →
failure-rate quantifies how often systems fail; that quantification is maintained for the sake of reliability engineering — to track failure patterns, identify weak points, and guide maintenance strategies. The designed purpose is clear.
Relations to this entry
No accepted relations in this direction.
Record identity
- Created
- Aug 7, 2026, 9:46 PM UTC
- Content hash
- 2ac30f485c91a59d33e4359b609b2f80af03dd018180b829214828c4be9501e8