About IEC 61508/IEC61511

About IEC 61508/IEC61511

IEC 61508/61511 is the international standard for electrical, electronic and programmable electronic (E/E/PE) safety related systems.

IEC 61508 defines safety as ‘freedom from unacceptable risk’ and Functional Safety as the safety relating to the process and the Basic Process Control System (BPCS). BPCS depends on the correct functioning of the Safety Instrumented Systems (SIS) and other protection layers. IEC 61508 and IEC 61511 standard gives guidance on the design of automated systems and has become industry guidance of engineering best practice.

Objectives of IEC 61508/61511 standard

The international standard IEC 61508/61511, Functional safety of electrical/electronic/ programmable electronic (E/E/PE) safety-related systems aims to:

	release the potential of E/E/PE technology to improve both safety and economic performance;
	enable technological developments to take place within an overall safety framework;
	provide a technically sound, system based approach, with sufficient flexibility for the future
	provide a risk-based approach for determining the required performance of safety related systems;
	provide a generically-based standard that can be used directly by industry but can also help with developing sector standards (e.g. machinery, process chemical plants, medical or rail) or product standards (e.g. power drive systems);
	provide a means for users and regulators to gain confidence when using computer based technology;
	provide requirements based on common underlying principles

Acceptance of IEC 61508 standard

IEC 61508 has been adopted in the UK as BS EN 61508, with the "EN" indicating adoption also by European electrotechnical standardisation organisation CENELEC. Other application standards are being produced for the application of the 61508 approach to particular industry sectors such as 61511 for the oil and gas industry.

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