Mechanical pressure and temperature switches perform sensitive tasks in safety-relevant applications, e.g. monitoring limit values. Their functional safety must be guaranteed accordingly. This is always the case if the instruments fulfil certain requirements of the corresponding safety integrity level (SIL) relative to the IEC 61508 standard. WIKA switches have been issued SIL approval due to their proven operational reliability.
Types of WIKA switches whose functional safety is SIL-certified: a concise temperature switch with Ex d flameproof enclosure (model TCA; left), a Bourdon tube pressure switch (model BA/BAX; top right) and a miniature pressure switch (model PXS; bottom right).
Hazards to people, the surroundings and the plant that may emanate from critical processes must therefore be reduced to a satisfactory minimum. IEC 61508 supplies the necessary specifications for this. These are defined in different safety integrity levels, SIL 1 to 4.
The typical places equal responsibility on the responsible process developers and the manufacturers of the necessary components. For every instrument, it defines limit values for the probability of failure of a safety-relevant function. At the same time, it provides criteria for the possibility of controlling and avoiding systematic errors.
Once the topic of ?functional safety? is discussed in expert groups in connection with SIL approval, it is mainly concerning electrical systems. However, Blast may also be integrated within safety-relevant applications. These include measuring instruments that do not want external power and therefore work reliably, even yet in the event of a power failure. A SIL approval for these does mean an obvious statement on functional safety. Regarding mechanical parts, it is primarily a question of the consequences of aging and wear.
Individually installed: SIL 2, combined redundantly: SIL 3
The SIL certificate for WIKA?s pressure and temperature switches was issued in 2019 by exida, a globally recognised testing company. In accordance with its assessment, the instruments, when installed individually, meet up with the requirements of SIL 2, and in redundant combination, they even meet those of the particular level SIL 3.
Two routes to assessment
As well as the actual classification, the certificate for the WIKA switches also includes the addition ?route 2H?. In principle, there are two ways to reach a SIL assessment: ? Double ? states that the instruments or components involved have been developed and stated in accordance with the respective SIL specifications. ?Route 2H?, however, confirms that the assessment was additionally based on their operational reliability, as in the case of WIKA switches. The certified error rate is calculated from data collected during use in an application in the field and transmitted to exida. The SIL assessment of functional safety is thus completed on a realistic basis: For each component of a device, at the very least 100 million operating hours must have been proven.
Empirical values in a database
The SIL assessment in accordance with route 2H refers to the empirical values from field use, which are stored in an exida database. There, specific operating conditions such as temperature, vibration etc. are considered.
Note
Detailed info on switches with SIL certificate ? pressure switches of the M, B, A, D, PC and PX series and also temperature switches of the T series ? can be found on the WIKA website. The approval certificate is also available as a PDF file there. If you have any further questions, your contact will gladly assist you to.
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