Related Topics:

FMEA Records

Causes (Failure Modes)

Causes (typically called failure modes in RCM analysis) are FMEA records that state the specific reason for the failure, preferably found by asking "why" until the root cause is determined. Some of the features for working with causes will depend on the FMEA structure that has been selected for the current project.

The following topics are discussed here:

FMEA Structure and Effects

As discussed in Choosing the FMEA Structure, you can use the FMEA Structure field on the General page of the Project Properties window to choose how you want to display effect and cause records in the FMEA hierarchy. Note the following:

Adding and Inserting Causes

To add or insert causes into an FMEA, select the failure or effect that the cause will be associated with and choose FMEA > FMEA Records > Causes, then select one of the following options:

  Add Cause adds a new record to the bottom of the list.

  Insert Cause inserts a new cause above the one that is currently selected.

  Import Causes opens the Import Existing Causes window so you can choose to copy one or more of the existing causes into this FMEA. There is no link to the original record(s) (i.e., changes made in one record will not automatically update the other(s)), and you have the choice to import with or without dependents (e.g., associated effects, causes, etc.).

Editing Causes

To edit an existing cause in the project, either edit it directly in the worksheet view or use the properties window. To open the properties window, select the cause and choose FMEA > FMEA Records > Causes > Edit Cause or double-click the cause in the hierarchy or filtered view.

Copying and Pasting Causes

If you have copied a cause, there are two options when you choose Home > Clipboard > Paste:

  Paste (CTRL+V) pastes the cause(s) and all dependent records (e.g., controls, actions, etc.).

   Paste Without Dependents pastes only the cause(s) without any dependent records.

Cause Properties

The properties enabled (and their display names) will depend on the interface style for the current project. To view or change these settings, choose Project Management > Configurable Settings > Interface Style.

Note the following:

Tip: If you need to define the reliability/maintainability characteristics for this record, use the FMRA tab. These characteristics will be applicable if you wish to perform criticality analysis, use the FMEA occurrence ratings to calculate a preliminary baseline estimate of the system reliability, share system configuration/reliability data between RCM++ and BlockSim or perform RCM cost/availability calculations.

What's Changed? In previous versions of RCM++, the probability and corrective maintenance information for the cause (failure mode) were set using the Probability of Occurrence and Corrective Maintenance pages of the Cause Properties window. In the Synthesis version, the probability of occurrence and the tasks for the cause are defined by setting the cause's universal reliability definition (URD) in the new FMRA tab.

 

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