IEC 61508

IEC 61508 is an international standard to develop electrical, electronic, and programmable electronic (E/E/PE) systems that perform a safety function. It is published by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).

IEC 61508 is a cross-industrial generic standard for functional safety in systems.

Industry-related standards can be derived on the basis of IEC61508 combined with the previously valid requirements. Industry-related standards are currently pending or published:

- DIN IEC 61511: Functional safety - Safety instrumented systems for the process industry sector

- DIN IEC 61513: Nuclear power plants - Instrumentation and control important to safety - General requirements for systems

- DIN EN 50129: Railway applications - Communication, signaling and processing systems - Safety related electronic systems for signaling

- DIN EN 62061: Safety of machinery - Functional safety of safety-related electrical, electronic and programmable electronic control systems

- ISO CD 26262: Automotive Functional Safety (edited by the ISO working group “ISO TC22/SC3/WG16”).

Glossary Technical terms at a glance