This International Standard identifies the typical parameters of a component that permit it to be characterized unequivocally and to allow the corresponding reliability data to be associated with those of other components having equivalent typical parameters. This International Standard deals in particular with exchange of reliability data collected on field. Laboratory reliability test data exchange may require additional information.
For the determination of the equivalence of components, the components shall be characterized as a function of the follow-ing parameters :
— technical characteristics including, the physical prin-ciple of operation and quality level;
— actual operating conditions and maintenance and test intervals.
In particular, the operating conditions shall have been taken into consideration when selecting the components and, it is considered useful to refer to them as they may affect the per-formance of the components.
The reliability data may be presented both in a historical and in a statistical form. In order to facilitate their utilization together with the data from other sources, it seems convenient to have them in historical form. However, presentation of reliability data in a processed form is also discussed.
If reliability information is required on a detailed basis, it is necessary to define the failure mode.