Title :
Reliability of surface-mount PPTC circuit protection devices
Author :
White, Harry ; Grover, Adam
Author_Institution :
Raychem Corp., Menlo Park, CA, USA
Abstract :
Accelerated life tests were used to estimate s-failure rates for PolySwitch polymer-based positive temperature coefficient (PPTC) devices with a surface-mount configuration. Electrical tests were done on a lot inspection basis on production parts, and results were pooled. Using an exponential model, the estimated failure rate from the pooled data is about 0.8 to 3.0 failures in time (FIT). Product reliability is related to the effectiveness of FMEAs and process controls. Our experience in proliferating the use of failure modes effects analysis (FMEA) and statistical process control (SPC) is discussed. This includes the benefits, challenges, and lessons learned
Keywords :
circuit reliability; circuit testing; failure analysis; inspection; life testing; overcurrent protection; statistical process control; surface mount technology; switches; FMEA; PolySwitch; accelerated life tests; electrical tests; estimated failure rate; exponential model; failure modes effects analysis; lot inspection; overcurrent protection; polymer-based positive temperature coefficient devices; process controls; product reliability; production parts; statistical process control; surface-mount PPTC circuit protection devices; surface-mount configuration; Circuit testing; Inspection; Life estimation; Life testing; Polymers; Process control; Production; Protection; Surface fitting; Temperature;
Conference_Titel :
Reliability and Maintainability Symposium. 1997 Proceedings, Annual
Conference_Location :
Philadelphia, PA
Print_ISBN :
0-7803-3783-2
DOI :
10.1109/RAMS.1997.571713