What does "Mean Time Between Failures" (MTBF) measure?

"Mean Time Between Failures" (MTBF) is a crucial metric used in the field of maintenance and reliability engineering. It specifically measures the average time elapsed between one failure and the next during the operation of a system or equipment. This metric is instrumental for organizations as it helps them evaluate the reliability of their systems and anticipate potential downtimes.

When engineers calculate MTBF, they gather the total operating time of a system and divide it by the number of failures that occurred during that time. Therefore, the higher the MTBF value, the more reliable the equipment is deemed to be, indicating that failures are infrequent. This understanding assists maintenance teams in planning interventions and improvements effectively.

In comparison, the incorrect choices address related but distinct concepts, such as repair times, the overall life expectancy of equipment, and the scheduling of maintenance activities, but they do not encapsulate the specific meaning and application of MTBF.