Abstract
The reliability of solenoid valves is of increasing importance, and a comparison is made between electronic components and solenoid valves. Various types of failure are defined and the user's influence in defining failure is explained. Factors influencing failure of a simple solenoid valve are tabulated and the high cost of obtaining data about interaction between factors is described.
The importance of a statistical design approach and the value of test or field experience are emphasized, and mention is made of the problem of obtaining field failure data. The paper also explains the difficulties of detecting component differences which lead to early failure, and the importance of using inspection and production experience to modify designs.
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