What Is the MTBF of Your Industrial Systems and Why Does It Matter?
When selecting an industrial PC, embedded motherboard, or rugged computing solution, one of the most important but often overlooked specifications is MTBF – Mean Time Between Failures. But what does MTBF actually mean, and why should it influence your purchasing decision?
What Does MTBF Mean?
MTBF (Mean Time Between Failures) is a measure of how reliable a hardware component or system is over time. It represents the average number of operating hours before a failure is expected to occur during normal use. For example, if an industrial computer has an MTBF of 100,000 hours, it statistically means that – under defined conditions – it would run for 100,000 hours before experiencing a failure.
Why MTBF Matters in Industrial Applications
Industrial and embedded systems are typically deployed in mission-critical environments, including:
- Manufacturing lines
- Transportation systems
- Energy and utilities
- Military or aerospace environments
- Harsh outdoor locations
In these applications, downtime is costly and sometimes dangerous. A higher MTBF means a more reliable, robust, and long-lasting system, reducing:
- Unplanned downtime
- Maintenance costs
- System failures
- Replacement cycles
What Is the MTBF of BVM’s Industrial Systems?
At BVM, we supply a wide range of industrial computers and embedded systems with MTBF ratings typically ranging from 50,000 to over 150,000 hours, depending on the configuration, components, and environmental factors.
Key contributors to higher MTBF in our systems include:
- Industrial-grade components with long lifecycles
- Fanless designs to reduce mechanical failures
- Solid State Drives (SSDs) for improved durability
- Rugged enclosures rated for shock, vibration, and wide temperature ranges
- High-quality power supplies with protection features
💡 Need a system with guaranteed reliability? Contact us to find out the MTBF for a specific model or build a custom solution tailored to your environment.
MTBF vs. Warranty – What’s the Difference?
- MTBF is a statistical measure based on lab testing and component reliability.
- Warranty is the guaranteed service period a manufacturer provides.
While MTBF might be 100,000+ hours, most systems come with 1–3 year warranties. MTBF gives insight into long-term dependability, even beyond the warranty period.
How to Maximise System Lifespan
- Install systems in appropriate environments (temperature, humidity, dust)
- Perform preventative maintenance (especially for fan-cooled systems)
- Use UPS or surge protection to prevent power-related damage
- Specify components with industrial temperature ranges
Examples of MTBF Ratings for Industrial Systems
| System Type | Model Example | Typical M T B F | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fanless Embedded Box PC | Intel Atom-based system | > 100,000 hours | Passive cooling, solid-state components, no moving parts. |
| Panel PC (Industrial Touchscreen) | 15” IP65 Panel PC with SSD & Atom CPU | > 70,000–100,000 hours | Depends on panel quality, PSU and storage medium. |
| Industrial Rackmount PC | i7-based 2U/4U system with industrial PSU | > 50,000–80,000 hours | May include moving parts (fan, HDD) unless customised. |
| Rugged Edge AI Computer (Jetson Orin) | NVIDIA Jetson Orin-based fanless system | > 100,000 hours | Designed for 24/7 AI inference in tough environments. |
| Industrial Motherboard (Mini-ITX) | Intel 12th Gen Mini-ITX Embedded Board | > 100,000 hours | MTBF rating for board alone, not the full system. |
| DIN-Rail Industrial PC | Wide-temp, wide-voltage DIN mount system | > 120,000 hours | Often used in automation, with ruggedised PSU and SSD. |
| Military/Transport-Grade Rugged PC | MIL-STD fanless PC with conformal coating | > 150,000 hours | Shock/vibration certified, hardened I/O, wide-temp. |
| Industrial GPU Workstation (e.g., DGX) | NVIDIA DGX Station for AI training | > 40,000–60,000 hours | Higher spec, but includes active cooling and GPU wear. |
Adding fans, HDDs, or using consumer-grade components reduces MTBF. MTBF can vary by certification standard (Telcordia, MIL-HDBK, etc.).
Speak to Our Experts
At BVM, we understand the importance of reliability in industrial computing. Whether you need a compact embedded system or a fully rugged fanless PC, we’ll help you choose a solution with the right MTBF and operational lifespan for your needs.
👉 Contact us today for expert advice or to request MTBF data for your next project.
We like to make life easier ….
BVM supply a wide and diverse range of Industrial and Embedded Systems. From Industrial Motherboards, SBCs and Box PCs, to Rack Mount computers and Industrial Panel PCs. If you cant find an off the shelf product that meets your specific requirements speak with our in house design team who can customize an existing product or design a new product from start to finish.
You can call us on +(0) 1489 780 144 and talk to one of the team, E-mail us at sales@bvmltd.co.uk or Use our contact form here