AiVibeFunctional Safety
Functional safety is the part of overall safety that depends on control systems performing their safety functions correctly in response to their inputs, such as stopping a machine when a guard opens or closing a valve on high pressure.
Functional safety is achieved through a life cycle: identifying hazards, assessing risk, specifying the safety functions needed to reduce that risk, then designing, verifying, validating, operating and maintaining the systems that implement them. Each safety function is assigned a required integrity, expressed as a Safety Integrity Level under IEC 61508 and its sector standards or as a Performance Level under ISO 13849. Systematic failures are controlled through disciplined processes, and random hardware failures through architecture, diagnostics and reliable components.
IEC 61508 is the basic functional safety standard for electrical, electronic and programmable electronic systems. Related sector standards include IEC 61511 for the process industry, IEC 62061 for machinery and ISO 26262 for road vehicles, while ISO 13849 is widely used for safety-related parts of machine control systems. Risk assessment for machinery follows ISO 12100.
Functional safety is not achieved by certified components alone; the complete safety function, from sensor through logic to actuator, must meet its target and be validated. Competence of personnel, independent assessment, management of change and proof testing are all part of the discipline. Safety functions must be designed and modified only under the applicable standards and OEM documentation, by qualified personnel.
Key points
- Safety that depends on control systems performing safety functions correctly
- Follows a life cycle from hazard analysis to operation and modification
- Integrity is expressed as SIL (IEC 61508 family) or PL (ISO 13849)
- IEC 61511, IEC 62061 and ISO 26262 apply the principles to specific sectors
- The whole function, from sensor to actuator, must meet its target
Where AiVibe comes in
The AiAmbA AI Factory does not replace a machine's control or safety systems, and robot safety functions follow ISO 10218 without depending on the AI layer.
Related terms
- IEC 61508PLC & Industrial Control
- Safety Integrity Level (SIL)PLC & Industrial Control
- ISO 13849 and Performance Level (PL)PLC & Industrial Control
- IEC 62061PLC & Industrial Control
- Safety PLCPLC & Industrial Control
- Safety Instrumented System (SIS)PLC & Industrial Control