Functional safety in the field of industrial automation The influence of IEC 61508 on the improvement of safety-related control systems

Safety of machinery depends on the correct functioning of its safetyrelated control equipment. The development of this equipment started with electromechanical devices performing simple interlocking and enabling functions. Meanwhile it is possible to use programmable electronics such as safety PLCs to implement sophisticated safety functions. The approach to achieve the necessary safety integrity is described in the new IEC 61508 standard.