Vibration Testing For Reliability of Electronic Devices

Vibration testing is the shaking or shocking of a component or assembly to see how it will stand up to real life environment. In electronics, it is used it to test the ability of printed circuit boardsand its assembly or electronic components to withstand real life situation when these devices are shipped by means of air, sea or land. Real life environment also includes simulating its normal or extreme operational conditionswhere it is operating. Damaged is most likely to occur when the device is vibrated at its natural or resonant frequency.

There are typically 3 vibration levels that can be used as a guide for the reliability engineer. However, he maychoose to establish different criteria for any device based on the projected service environment. The 3 levels arelight vibration, medium vibration and heavy vibration. Light vibration is tested for electronic devices that are mounted on the walls. Medium vibration is tested for equipment that have electronic control boxes mounted into them. Heavy vibration is for those installation that are used in moving vehicles e.g. truck, trailers or cars.

There are 3 types of tests that are usually performed. They are shipping, performance and endurance vibration. Thereare 3 ortogonal axes of the device that will be tested. They are identified as X, Y and Z axis. Tests will be performedon each of the 3 axis. The test methods below are just for references. Always check the specifications and test methodsthat you would like to use for your particular device.

Shipping Vibration

This test is used to simulate the vibration levels that occurred when devices are transported using rail or truck.This test is usually done with the devices packed at its final packaging for shipment. The electronic devices mustbe able to withstand 1G of random vibration with frequency sweep from 3 to 50 Hz for 20 minutes in each axis.

After the testing is done, physical checking for internal or external damage will determine whether the productpassed the test. Electrical testing also need to be evaluated after the test.

Performance Vibration

Performance vibration testing is done to examine the functional performance of the device during the test. An example ofthe vibration level is as shown in the table below.

Endurance Vibration

Endurance vibration testing is done to examine the performance of the device when it is vibrated at its resonant frequency. An example of the vibration level is as shown in the table below.

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