When bust is best (destructive testing)

The case of destructive testing is discussed. Two categories of destructive testing are considered. The first is limit testing to the equipment's failure point, to ascertain safety margins and the most extreme conditions under which it will perform its basic functions. The other is environmental testing under real-life conditions, to see how reliably the equipment can withstand the rough handling of transportation, installation, and operation. Destructive testing activities and programs at AT&T Bell Laboratories and, more briefly, EPRI, are described.<
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