IEC 61131-6-2012 PDF

Full title and description

IEC 61131-6:2012 — Programmable controllers — Part 6: Functional safety. This part of the IEC 61131 series specifies product requirements for programmable controllers (PLCs) and their associated peripherals when intended to be used as the logic subsystem of an electrical/electronic/programmable electronic (E/E/PE) safety-related system; devices that meet the requirements are identified as functional safety programmable logic controllers (FS-PLCs).

Abstract

IEC 61131-6:2012 defines requirements for FS-PLC design, development, verification, validation, type testing and manufacturer information needed by users of safety-related E/E/PE systems. It covers hardware, embedded software/firmware and integration of predefined software elements (for example function blocks), and aligns FS-PLC requirements with the safety-lifecycle concepts of IEC 61508.

General information

• Status: Published (in force); stability date recorded by IEC as 2028 (standard remains unchanged until at least that date).
• Publication date: 2012-10-02 (Edition 1.0).
• Publisher: International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), TC 65/SC 65B (Measurement and control devices).
• ICS / categories: 25.040.40 (Industrial process measurement and control), 35.240.50 (IT applications in industry).
• Edition / version: Edition 1.0 (2012).
• Number of pages: 203 pages (IEC bilingual English/French publication).

Scope

This part specifies requirements for programmable controllers and associated peripherals, as defined in IEC 61131‑1, intended to be used as the logic subsystem of an E/E/PE safety‑related system. It addresses FS‑PLC safety lifecycle management, allocation of functional safety requirements to HW/SW/firmware, architecture guidance, verification/validation, type testing (including climatic, mechanical and EMC), operation and maintenance, modification control, and information the manufacturer must supply to users. The document is intended to be used alongside IEC 61508 and other application standards as appropriate.

Key topics and requirements

• FS‑PLC safety lifecycle and management (planning, execution and monitoring of functional safety activities).
• FS‑PLC SIL capability and data security considerations relevant to safety integrity levels.
• Quality management system and supplier responsibilities for FS‑PLC development.
• FS‑PLC design requirements specification (contents and structure, allocation of requirements to HW/SW).
• Hardware requirements and techniques to control random and systematic faults, component de‑rating and architecture segmentation.
• Embedded software/firmware development, classification of engineering tools, and software safety validation planning.
• Type tests (environmental, mechanical, EMC) and verification methods including fault insertion testing and as‑qualified vs as‑shipped assessments.
• Functional safety assessment requirements and minimum independence levels for assessors.
• Requirements for manufacturer documentation and the safety manual supplied to the user (conformance, datasheets, instructions for operation/maintenance/modification).

Typical use and users

IEC 61131-6 is used by FS‑PLC manufacturers to design and demonstrate compliance of controllers intended for safety applications; by system integrators and machine builders to select suitable FS‑PLCs; by safety engineers for allocation of safety functions and SIL capability assessments; and by certification and assessment bodies performing functional safety evaluations. It is referenced when implementing safety-related control in industries such as process, water/wastewater, manufacturing and infrastructure.

Related standards

Key related documents include the IEC 61131 series (Parts 1–5, 7–10), IEC 61508 (functional safety of electrical/electronic/programmable electronic safety‑related systems), industry application standards such as IEC 61511 and IEC 62061, and machine safety standards such as ISO 13849. National/regional adoptions and EN versions (for example EN 61131-6) are also relevant for conformity within particular markets.

Keywords

Functional safety, FS‑PLC, programmable controller, safety lifecycle, SIL capability, verification, validation, type testing, EMC, safety manual, IEC 61131.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: IEC 61131-6:2012 is the product standard within the IEC 61131 series that specifies functional‑safety requirements for programmable controllers and their peripherals when used as the logic subsystem of safety‑related E/E/PE systems (FS‑PLCs).

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers FS‑PLC safety lifecycle management, SIL capability considerations, HW and SW/firmware design requirements, verification and validation (including type tests and EMC), safety assessment, and the minimum information and safety manual that manufacturers must provide to users.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: FS‑PLC manufacturers, product designers, safety engineers, system integrators, machine builders, assessors and certification bodies working on safety‑related control systems in process, manufacturing, water and infrastructure sectors.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: As published on 2012‑10‑02 (Edition 1.0), IEC records a stability date of 2028 for this publication. Unless a newer edition or amendment is published by IEC after that date, the 2012 edition remains the current edition. Users should check IEC publication records for any amendments or a newer edition beyond the stated stability date.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — it is Part 6 of the IEC 61131 series (Programmable controllers). Other parts address general information, equipment requirements and tests, programming languages, communications and additional guidance and application topics. IEC 61131-6 should be used alongside relevant parts of IEC 61508 and industry application standards.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Functional safety, FS‑PLC, SIL, safety lifecycle, verification, validation, type testing, EMC, safety manual, IEC 61131.