On reliability and maintenance management of electronic equipment in the tropics

Electronic equipment constitutes the prime-mover of the information age and the automated world. This equipment is however, greatly affected by some environmental variables such as temperature and humidity, dust and entomological activities, the effect of which are mon pronounced in the tropics than in other regions of the world. This article therefore examines how some of these factors affect the reliability of electronic equipment in the tropics. Appropriate maintenance policies that must be put in place to reduce the adverse effects of the factors on the equipment are suggested. In addition, policies that must be implemented to tap the huge potential of the abundant sunshine in the tropics for the corporate survival of the organisation are recommended. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.