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Characterizing Space-Flight Inductors and Transformer Failures

by Ben Oni, Ph.D, NAFP Fellow, Marshall Space Flight Center/Tuskegee University; Trent Griffin, Karen Cunningham, Bob Kapustka, Steve Luna, Marshall Space Flight Center, Organizational website, Aug 01 2002

Focus:
Paper analyzes failures of power inductors and transformers developed per Mil-Std- 981 for space flight applications. It studies the types of component failures, their causes, methods of detection, and the frequency of various failures. Paper addresses the issue of whether testing to MIL-STD 981 requirements enhances component reliability. Trends in device failure are discussed. A survey of magnetics manufacturers reveals how they rank Mil-Std 981 tests in terms of importance.

What you’ll learn:

How to understand reliability issues affecting power inductors and transformers developed for space applications
How to assess the impact of Mil-Std-981 testing on the reliability of power inductors and transformers

Notes:
This paper can also be accessed via the Extreme Environment Electronics site at http://nepp.nasa.gov/eeelinks/August2002/general1.htm. This link provides a more extensive summary of this paper and its findings.

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