Overview
IEC 61810-2:2017 is an international standard published by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) that specifically addresses the reliability of electromechanical elementary relays. This third edition of the standard introduces advanced methodologies for assessing the endurance and failure characteristics of these relays using statistical analysis.
The focus of IEC 61810-2:2017 is on relays treated as non-repaired items-components that are not subject to repair after failure. The standard establishes test conditions and provisions for endurance testing, aiming to derive reliability measures through both graphical and numerical methods.
Key updates in this edition include the addition of confidence interval analysis, a novel WeiBayes approach to simplify routine compliance tests, and restructured annexes that provide detailed data analysis methodologies and practical examples.
Key Topics
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Scope: Defines the applicability to electromechanical elementary relays with non-repair policy, excluding relays with enhanced reliability verification requirements.
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Test Conditions: Specifies sample item selection, environmental and operating conditions, and test equipment essential for standardized endurance testing.
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Failure Criteria: Establishes definition parameters for determining relay failure during tests.
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Data Analysis Methods:
- Graphical methods such as Weibull probability plotting and cumulative hazard plotting for visualization of failure data.
- Numerical methods including advanced statistical computations.
- Incorporation of confidence intervals to assess the statistical reliability of results.
- Introduction of the WeiBayes method, facilitating lower-effort compliance testing.
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Reliability Measures: Presentation and interpretation of metrics such as Mean Time To Failure (MTTF) and Mean Cycles To Failure (MCTF) essential for reliability predictions.
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Annexes: Structured into:
- Annex A (normative): Detailed methodologies for data analysis.
- Annex B (informative): Case studies and step-by-step examples of applying data analysis methods.
- Annex C (informative): Statistical tables and supplementary information to support analysis.
Applications
IEC 61810-2:2017 is essential for manufacturers and testers of electromechanical elementary relays who require rigorous, statistically sound reliability data. Practical applications include:
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Quality Assessment: Determining relay endurance and failure probabilities to ensure product reliability.
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Compliance Testing: Implementing standardized test protocols to meet regulatory or customer specifications.
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Reliability Engineering: Supporting design improvements and lifecycle predictions based on quantitative reliability metrics derived from standardized testing.
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Routine Testing: Utilizing the WeiBayes approach to efficiently perform compliance verification with reduced sample sizes and test durations.
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Data-Driven Decision Making: Leveraging confidence intervals and statistical distributions to make informed judgments about relay performance and reliability guarantees.
Related Standards
IEC 61810-2:2017 is intended for use in conjunction with other relevant standards within the IEC 61810 series on electromechanical elementary relays. It also references IEC 61649:2008, which relates to methods for accelerated testing of relays.
Key references include:
- IEC 61810-1: General definitions and characteristics of electromechanical elementary relays.
- IEC 61649: Standard specifying procedures for accelerated testing and reliability evaluation of relays.
- Other IEC reliability standards: For extended applications in electromechanical and electronic components beyond elementary relays.
Summary
By adhering to IEC 61810-2:2017, organizations can achieve consistent and validated reliability assessments of electromechanical elementary relays. This standard integrates modern statistical analysis techniques to enable reduced sample requirements and improved confidence in reliability data, which is critical for enhancing relay quality and ensuring safe, dependable operation in electrical and electronic systems.
