Post updated 2019-07-24. Ed. Fault Consideration & Fault Exclusion ISO 13849-1, Clause 7 [1, 7] discusses the need for fault consideration and fault exclusion. Fault consideration is examining the components and sub-systems used in the safety-related part of the control system (SRP/CS) and making a list of all possible faults. This is a non-trivial exercise!
Read MoreDo you use ISO 13849 or IEC 62061? We need to hear from you! UPDATED
Do you use ISO 13849-1 or IEC 62061 to define and analyze the safety-related parts of the control systems used on your machinery? Have you been frustrated by trying to apply these standards? Good news! ISO and IEC are working on merging these documents, but the committee working on the merger needs some guidance from…
Read More31-Dec-2011 – Are YOU ready?
31-December-2011 marks a key milestone for machine builders marketing their products in the European Union, the EEA and many of the Candidate States. Functional Safety takes a positive step forward with the mandatory application of EN ISO 13849-1 and -2. As of 1-January-2012, the safety-related parts of the control systems on all machinery bearing a…
Read MoreUnderstanding Risk Assessment
When people discuss ‘Risk’ there are a lot of different assumptions made about what that means. For me, the study of risk and risk assessment techniques started in 1995. As a technologist and controls designer, I had to somehow wrap my head around the whole concept in ways I’d never considered. If you’re trying to…
Read MoreMissing MTTFd data
Dealing with the huge information void that exists while trying to complete reasonable control reliability assessments is a major challenge for every engineer or technologist tasked with this activity. Here are a few thoughts on what to do now, and where things may be going…
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