Latent failures

The concept latent failure related to electronic circuits implies that some kind of damage occurred, but the circuit is still functioning within specification. The word latent comes from the word “latents” = hidden. In this context it means that either the life-time of the circuit is shortened or that it will fail for a minor stress, that would not harm an undamaged circuit. The French expression for latent failure is “defaillance potentielle” (potential failure). This phenomenon has become rather important as results of ESD-stresses, though it can have other causes.