Mtbf of energy storage power supply

What does MTBF mean in a power supply?

The MTBF (Mean Time Between Failures) is a parameter that is widely used for determining the reliability of a power supply, but it is also often misunderstood and misused as a determining factor. A manufacturer’s datasheet quoting an MTBF figure of 300,000 hours does not indicate that the power supply will last that long before failing.

What makes a good power supply MTBF?

Size of capacitor – in general, the larger a capacitor’s diameter, the longer the life. To ensure the best possible MTBF, system engineers should look for power supply products that have been tested in a manner that fits with how the products will actually be used.

Does MTBF affect the operating life of a power supply?

In reality, there is no direct correlation between MTBF and the actual operating life of a product. In fact, it’s possible to find a power supply with extremely high MTBF but very low operating life span, depending on the types of components used and actual operating conditions.

What is MTBF for AC-DC power supply?

The reliability expectation as a function of time, R(t), is 37%. This means that at the calculated MTBF number, only 37% of the parts are expected to still be working. For example, if the calculated MTBF for an AC-DC power supply is 300,000 hours, there is only a 37% probability that the product will last that long. Available MTBF databases.

What is MTBF & why is it important?

MTBF is the measure for the reliability of a device or system component. In this blog article you will learn what exactly is meant by MTBF, why it is an important quality indicator for power supplies and how it differs from service lifetime. The term MTBF appears in the data sheets of various technical system components and often causes confusion.

How do you measure the MTBF of a power supply?

A better way to measure the MTBF of power supplies is to take a closer look at the electrolytic capacitors used in the product. Capacitors have a wear-out mechanism, meaning they generally have a limited life, and this can affect the power supply life span. How long an electrolytic capacitor will last generally depends on three key factors: