Failure is not apparent until the function is attempted.

Failure is not apparent until the function is attempted.

• A. Functional Failure
• B. Potential Failure
• C. Hidden Failure
• D. Latent Failure

Answer: (C)

A fault that sits unnoticed until you actually try to make the system perform a function is a hidden failure. This happens when something is not observable during normal checks or idle operation—often because another part of the system masks it or the failure is dormant—and only reveals itself when a function is demanded. In practice, you might have redundant paths or self-checks that keep the system appearing healthy, but the moment a function is invoked, the fault becomes evident, such as a backup path not responding correctly or an indicator that no longer matches the requested action. That invisible, only-revealed-at-demand nature is what makes it a hidden failure. The other terms don’t fit as well here. A potential failure is just a possibility, not an actual fault. A latent failure is dormant and waiting for a triggering condition, not specifically tied to the moment you attempt a function. A functional failure would be evident during the function itself, rather than hidden until the demand occurs.

A fault that sits unnoticed until you actually try to make the system perform a function is a hidden failure. This happens when something is not observable during normal checks or idle operation—often because another part of the system masks it or the failure is dormant—and only reveals itself when a function is demanded. In practice, you might have redundant paths or self-checks that keep the system appearing healthy, but the moment a function is invoked, the fault becomes evident, such as a backup path not responding correctly or an indicator that no longer matches the requested action. That invisible, only-revealed-at-demand nature is what makes it a hidden failure.

The other terms don’t fit as well here. A potential failure is just a possibility, not an actual fault. A latent failure is dormant and waiting for a triggering condition, not specifically tied to the moment you attempt a function. A functional failure would be evident during the function itself, rather than hidden until the demand occurs.