What is Derating Analysis and Why is it Important?

Derating Analysis is a product reliability test that helps determine if there are any underspecified components in a product. Used primarily for electrical and electronic devices, derating analysis tests products by determining critical components’ maximum capabilities and then discerning which should be swapped for those with greater capacities to increase the overall reliability of the product whole.

When individual components operate close to their maximum capacity (for electric or heat, for example) they tend to deteriorate and burn out faster. Derating analysis test applies stresses on critical components to discover the weaker links and small design margins. These weak links are then upgraded with components that have greater design margins and tested for improved longevity so that product whole fails less often increasing its reliability, durability and life expectancy.    Call today for your             FREE Consultation!                                                       303.444.7480                       Back to                             Theoretical                  Failure Rate

What is design margin?

Design margin is a measure of the difference between what the maximum capacity a part can operate at compared to what it actually does operate at. Measurements are taken of the operating temperatures and are then compared to the ratings of the individual components. If individual components are operating close to their upper limits, the analysis team works with a variety of parts of varying capacities, and tests to see which one is most likely to sustain enough clearance to prevent early termination. 

For example, if a CPU has a maximum operating temperature of 120 degrees Fahrenheit and that CPU operates under normal circumstances at 118 degrees Fahrenheit, there is a 2 degrees design margin. Should a better component with maximum temperature of 180 degrees Fahrenheit be used instead, the design margin is increased by 62 degrees. Having a larger gap between normal and the point of failure will ensure that the CPU will not burn itself out too quickly by decreasing thermal stresses, causing your overall product to fail too early.

How Derating Analysis uses design margin to determine best components

To summarize, finding the weaker parts of an electronic product and interchanging them with slightly better components can help the overall product last longer, decreasing warranty claims and helping a company’s bottom line.