Abstract: A latent fault usually leads to great security risk and financial loss. The judgment of unobvious latent fault judgment relies on regular inspection. A regular inspection and periodic maintenance model, which aims to acquire the minimal mean cost of long-term operation of component, was proposed based on the residual life after the occurrence of latent fault, and the influence of accelerating deterioration on maintenance was discussed. The latent fault occurrence can be estimated in time through the regular inspection. Furthermore, the periodic maintenance strategy used after latent fault appearance can make full use of residual life of component and maximize its service life.

Key words: methodology of system engineering, latent fault, regular test, periodic maintenance, residual life, accelerating deterioration