Test methodology of acceleration life test on feeder cable assembly

The feeder cable assembly is an automotive part used for telecommunication. If it malfunctions, the control and safety of the automobile can be put at risk. ALT (Accelerated Life Testing) is a testing process for products in which they are subjected to conditions (stress, strain, temperatures, etc.) in excess of their normal service parameters in an attempt to uncover faults and potential modes of failure in a short amount of time. Failure is caused by defects in the design, process, quality, or application of the part, and these defects are the underlying causes of failure or which initiate a process leading to failure. Thermal shock occurs when a thermal gradient causes different parts of an object to expand by different amounts. Thermal shock testing is performed to determine the ability of parts and components to withstand sudden changes in temperature. In this research, the main causes of failure of the feeder cable assembly were snapping, shorting and electro-pressure resistance failure. Using the Coffin-Manson model for ALT, the normal conditions were from Tmax = 80°C to Tmin = -40°C, the accelerated testing conditions were from Tmax = 120°C to Tmin = -60°C, the AF (Acceleration Factor) was 2.25 and the testing time was reduced from 1,000 cycles to 444 cycles. Using the Bxlife test, the number of samples was 5, the required life was B0.04%.10years, in the acceleration condition, 747 cycles were obtained. After the thermal shock test under different conditions, the feeder cable assembly was examined by a network analyzer and compared with the Weibull distribution modulus parameter. The results obtained showed good results in acceleration life test mode. For the same reliability rate, the testing time was decreased by a quarter using ALT.