Machine Safety Conference Examines Control Systems

Elite Control Systems Limited is sponsoring the Machine Safety and Functional Safety Conference at Warwick University on May 11.

Elite Control Systems Limited is sponsoring the Machine Safety and Functional Safety Conference being organised by BARA (the British Automation and Robotics Association) at Warwick University on May 11.

Iain Rennie, Elite's engineering operations manager, will also deliver a paper that presents a system integrator's view of IEC 61508 'Functional safety of electrical/electronic/programmable electronic safety related systems' and its EN 61508 equivalent.

End users faced with implementing electrical and electronic and programmable electronic safety-related control systems for process plant and machinery frequently find the task a daunting one, especially if they have traditionally conducted new projects, upgrades and retrofits in-house in accordance with EN954-1 believes Elite.

For that reason there is an increasing tendency to entrust such work to specialist systems integrators that have the knowledge, experience and competence to carry it out correctly, added Rennie.

However, he commented that Elite's experience of the market suggested that end users do not always appreciate that an electrical, electronic, programmable electronic safety (E/E/PES) system may need to comply with IEC 61508, and there is a further lack of comprehension about what compliance entails.

The three most frequently misunderstood areas are the importance of competency (both of the company and the individuals working on a project), the requirement for thorough, detailed documentation, and the need for a lifecycle approach.

Iain Rennie's paper, '61508 - An Integrator's Perspective', will cover the following topics: E/E/PES requirements; Is procuring the correct equipment enough?; E/E/PES system specification; E/E/PES system validation; E/E/PES project issues; Elite's quality management system versus 61508; and the company's consultancy services.

The paper will give an insight in to how a system integrator works within the boundaries laid down by IEC 61508, and will complement the conference papers being delivered by speakers from an end user and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

Further papers will be delivered on the subjects of competency management, functional safety certification, and the future of safety standards.

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