> > I'd like to know this though. Which has the lower MTBF

> Really, you could design either type for NO
> failure. Depends on the size and cost requirements.
> :o)

I think I may be biased towards Rs as they seem to look
cruddier after a few years than caps. But as you say (and
what I should have mentioned) is that you can over-spec
a part to minimise stress

> resistor. I've got units like this running for
> 15 years and never failed

Possibly an appliance as a whole was expected to live
a shorter time than the PSU so some components were
chosen for cost and simplicity. Say for example you have
a TV that craps out after 10 years. The manufacturer may
consider that a reasonable lifetime. Owner gets the fault
repaired and off goes the TV for few years more, and all
the while the power-handling components are going well
past their expected service life. Although perhaps that
was the case in the past - in these cheap import throwaway
days that might not be so

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