What Systems Does IEC 61508 Cover?

IEC 61508 applies to safety-related systems when one or more of such systems incorporate electrical and/or electronic and/or programmable electronic (E/E/PE) devices. It covers possible hazards caused by failure of the safety functions to be performed by the E/E/PE safety-related systems, as distinct from hazards arising from the E/E/PE equipment itself (for example electric shock etc). It is generically based and applicable to all E/E/PE safety-related systems irrespective of the application.

It is recognized that the consequences of failure could also have serious economic implications and in such cases the standard could be used to specify any E/E/PE safety-related system used for the protection of equipment or product.

The scope of IEC 61508-1 gives more details.

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