ISO 13849
What is ISO 13849?
ISO 13849 is a safety standard for machine controls. It sets requirements and a guide for the design and integration of safety-related parts of controls, including the development of software.
What is the purpose of ISO 13849?
The goal of ISO 13849 is to ensure the safety of machines through appropriate control concepts. The standard considers not only electrical components but also non-electrical parts such as mechanics, hydraulics, and pneumatics. Additionally, it introduces a proprietary measure for risk reduction with the Performance Level (PL).
The levels range from PL a to PL e – the higher the performance level, the higher the achieved risk reduction. The required PL can be determined using a risk graph. The actually achievable PL depends, among other things, on the hardware architecture, the reliability of the components, diagnostic measures, and the software development process.
What does this mean for the field of electrically driven vehicles and machines?
For companies in the field of electrically driven vehicles and machines, ISO 13849 is particularly relevant when safety-related control functions are implemented in vehicles, forklifts or machines. Typical applications include emergency stop functions, light curtains, safety-oriented warning or monitoring functions, provided they are part of risk mitigation, or other protective functions in driving and work processes.
The standard is widely used in many areas, such as industrial mobile work machines, forklifts, or driverless transport systems. It helps to structure safety functions and demonstrate the necessary risk reduction.
Synonyms:
- DIN EN ISO 13849
- Safety standard for machine controls
- Standard for safety-related parts of controls
- Performance level standard
- PL standard for machines
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