IEC 61496 vs. IEC 62998

Attribute	IEC 61496	IEC 62998
Standard Number	IEC 61496	IEC 62998
Scope	Specifies general requirements for safety-related parts of control systems	Specifies requirements for the functional safety of electrical/electronic/programmable electronic safety-related systems
Application	Primarily for machinery safety	Primarily for functional safety of electrical systems
Development Process	Focuses on safety-related parts of control systems	Focuses on functional safety of electrical systems

Introduction

IEC 61496 and IEC 62998 are two important standards in the field of industrial safety. Both standards aim to ensure the safety of machinery and equipment in various industrial settings. While they have similar goals, there are some key differences between the two standards that are important to understand.

Scope

IEC 61496, also known as "Safety of machinery - Electro-sensitive protective equipment," focuses on the requirements for electro-sensitive protective equipment (ESPE) used for the safeguarding of machinery. This standard covers devices such as light curtains, laser scanners, and safety mats that are designed to detect the presence of people or objects in hazardous areas. On the other hand, IEC 62998, also known as "Safety of machinery - Safety-related parts of control systems," focuses on the requirements for safety-related parts of control systems used in machinery. This standard covers components such as safety relays, safety PLCs, and safety sensors that are designed to ensure the safe operation of machinery.

Performance Requirements

IEC 61496 sets out specific performance requirements for electro-sensitive protective equipment, such as response times, detection capabilities, and reliability. These requirements are designed to ensure that the equipment can effectively detect and react to potential hazards in a timely manner. In contrast, IEC 62998 sets out performance requirements for safety-related parts of control systems, such as fault tolerance, diagnostic capabilities, and reliability. These requirements are designed to ensure that the control systems can effectively monitor and control the safety functions of machinery.

Testing and Certification

IEC 61496 requires that electro-sensitive protective equipment be tested and certified according to specific procedures outlined in the standard. These procedures typically involve testing the equipment under various conditions to ensure that it meets the performance requirements set out in the standard. Similarly, IEC 62998 requires that safety-related parts of control systems be tested and certified according to specific procedures outlined in the standard. These procedures typically involve testing the components under various conditions to ensure that they meet the performance requirements set out in the standard.

Integration with Machinery

IEC 61496 focuses on the integration of electro-sensitive protective equipment with machinery to ensure that it functions properly and effectively safeguards operators. This standard provides guidance on how to properly install, configure, and maintain the equipment to ensure its proper operation. In contrast, IEC 62998 focuses on the integration of safety-related parts of control systems with machinery to ensure that they function properly and effectively control the safety functions of the machinery. This standard provides guidance on how to properly design, program, and test the control systems to ensure their proper operation.

Compliance and Enforcement

Both IEC 61496 and IEC 62998 are voluntary standards, meaning that compliance with these standards is not mandatory. However, many industries and regulatory bodies require compliance with these standards as a way to ensure the safety of machinery and equipment. In some cases, compliance with these standards may be a legal requirement, depending on the jurisdiction and industry. Enforcement of these standards typically falls to regulatory bodies, industry associations, or insurance companies that may require compliance as a condition of coverage.

Conclusion

IEC 61496 and IEC 62998 are two important standards in the field of industrial safety that focus on different aspects of machinery safety. While IEC 61496 focuses on electro-sensitive protective equipment, IEC 62998 focuses on safety-related parts of control systems. Both standards set out specific performance requirements, testing and certification procedures, and integration guidelines to ensure the safety of machinery and equipment. Compliance with these standards is often required by industries and regulatory bodies to ensure the safe operation of machinery and equipment.