Primary definition
The average time from the point at which a device or system is put into operation until its first failure. The concept is most useful for items which cannot be repaired, i.e., for which the first failure is the final failure. Abbreviated MTTF.
Also known asMTTF · mean time to first failure · mean time before failure · mean time between failures · MTBF
1 sources cited3 related termsReviewed Aug 9, 2026
— Electronic Voting GlossaryView source
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EVG
Carnegie Mellon University
The average time from the point at which a device or system is put into operation until its first failure. The concept is most useful for items which cannot be repaired, i.e., for which the first failure is the final failure. Abbreviated MTTF.
Electronic Voting Glossary · 2024
Cite this term
Permanent URL · stable across revisions
Election Security Glossary. (2026). Mean Time To Failure. In Election Security Glossary. Retrieved August 16, 2026, from https://electionsecurityglossary.com/glossary/mean-time-to-failure
Sources
1 cited · last checked Aug 9, 2026
01
Electronic Voting Glossary
Electronic Voting Glossary
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