Essential Standards in Industrial Automation

27.09.2024

CONTENTS:

Industrial automation continues to advance, maintaining a structured and reliable approach to system integration is crucial. Standards in industrial automation provide this structure, ensuring systems work safely, efficiently, and consistently across various industries. Understanding the critical role of these standards is essential for designing, implementing, and maintaining systems that meet both operational and safety expectations.

Standards in industrial automation are formalized guidelines set by international organizations to ensure the compatibility, safety, and efficiency of automation systems. These standards regulate how devices, software, and processes within an industrial environment interact, providing a universal framework that applies across various industries and regions.

What Are Standards in Industrial Automation

Standards are designed to ensure the compatibility, safety, efficiency, and reliability of equipment and processes used in automated industrial settings. By adhering to these guidelines, industries can streamline operations, minimize risks, and maintain high-quality outputs while ensuring that systems from various manufacturers can seamlessly work together.
Standards in industrial automation are established by recognized international organizations such as:

International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC): Specializes in standards for electrical and electronic technologies, including automation systems.
International Organization for Standardization (ISO): Develops a broad range of standards covering quality, safety, and management practices.
American National Standards Institute (ANSI): Oversees the creation of standards in the U.S., including industrial processes and safety guidelines.

These organizations are essential to the design and implementation of industrial automation systems because they collaborate closely with industry professionals to guarantee that standards take into account the most recent developments in technology as well as safety issues.

Types of Common Standards in Industrial Automation

1. Safety Standards
Safety is a top priority in industrial automation. Safety standards ensure that systems are designed to prevent accidents and protect both operators and equipment.
2. Communication Standards
Industrial automation relies heavily on the seamless exchange of data between different devices, machines, and systems. Communication standards ensure interoperability and efficient data transfer, even between equipment from different manufacturers.
3. Programming Standards
To ensure that automation software is consistent and maintainable, programming standards define how automation control systems should be programmed. These standards ensure that code is structured in a standardized way, making it easier to update and troubleshoot.
4. Quality Management Standards
Maintaining consistent quality in manufacturing is essential, and automation systems play a critical role in this. Quality management standards ensure that processes remain consistent and output is of high quality.
5. Environmental and Energy Efficiency Standards
As industries strive to reduce their environmental impact, standards have been developed to regulate energy usage and minimize waste. These standards help companies implement energy-efficient processes and comply with environmental regulations.
6. Cybersecurity Standards
With the increasing interconnectivity of industrial systems, cybersecurity has become a significant concern. Cybersecurity standards protect systems from unauthorized access and ensure the safe and reliable operation of automation systems.

Common Standards in Industrial Automation

Standards are the cornerstone in the field of industrial automation, ensuring the safe, dependable, and effective operation of systems and components. As an expert in industrial automation products, you are aware of how crucial it is to follow these standards, which have been painstakingly created by eminent global institutions like the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).

These standards offer a thorough set of rules and regulations that control every facet of industrial automation, from energy economy and cybersecurity to electrical safety and functional safety. Manufacturers and operators can improve operational efficiency, lower the risk of errors and accidents, and achieve seamless interoperability across various devices and systems by adhering to these standards.

Understanding and implementing these standards is not just about compliance; it is about fostering innovation, ensuring quality, and maintaining a competitive edge in the ever-evolving industrial landscape.

International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) Standards

An international body that creates standards for electrical, electronic, and related technology is called the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). Its standards are essential for guaranteeing industrial automation systems' efficiency, safety, and compatibility.
Some of the most important IEC standards in the field of industrial automation:

Standard	Purpose	Scope	Benefits
IEC 60950-1	Safety requirements for information technology equipment	Applies to electrical equipment designed for connection to mains supply	Ensures safety and reduces electrical hazards
IEC 61010-2-201	Safety requirements for electrical equipment for measurement, control, and laboratory use	Covers safety requirements for electrical equipment used in these environments	Enhances safety and reliability in measurement and control environments
IEC 61508	Functional safety of electrical/electronic/programmable electronic safety-related systems	Applies to all safety-related systems that use electrical/electronic/programmable electronic technologies	Ensures functional safety and reduces risk of failures
IEC 62061	Functional safety of safety-related electrical, electronic, and programmable electronic control systems	Specific to machinery applications	Improves safety in machinery operations
IEC 61511	Functional safety – Safety instrumented systems for the process industry sector	Applies to safety instrumented systems in the process industry	Ensures reliable operation of safety systems in process industries
IEC 62443	Security for industrial automation and control systems	Covers cybersecurity aspects of industrial automation systems	Protects against cyber threats and enhances system security
IEC 61800-5-1	Adjustable speed electrical power drive systems – Safety requirements	Applies to adjustable speed electrical power drive systems	Promotes energy efficiency and safe operation
IEC 61000	Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) standards	Covers EMC requirements for electrical and electronic equipment	Ensures equipment does not interfere with other devices
IEC 61131	Programmable controllers	Defines standards for programmable controllers, including programming languages	Enhances interoperability and standardization in control systems
IEC 61499	Function blocks for industrial-process measurement and control systems	Applies to function blocks used in industrial process control	Promotes reusability and interoperability of control system components
IEC 61512	Batch control	Provides guidelines for batch control processes	Ensures consistent and reliable batch processing
IEC 60204-1	Safety of machinery – Electrical equipment of machines	Covers safety requirements for electrical equipment used in machinery	Enhances safety and compliance in machinery operations
IEC 13849	Safety of machinery – Safety-related parts of control systems	Applies to the design and integration of safety-related parts of control systems	Improves safety and reliability of machinery control systems
IEC 60947	Low-voltage switchgear and controlgear	Specifies standards for low-voltage switchgear and controlgear	Ensures reliable operation and safety in industrial environments

International Organization for Standardization (ISO) Standards

International standards are created voluntarily and by consensus by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), a global federation of national standards bodies. Industrial automation is one of the many industries that makes extensive use of ISO standards. Some of the most important ISO standards in the field of industrial automation:

Standard	Purpose	Scope	Benefits
ISO 9001	Quality management systems – Requirements	Applies to any organization, regardless of size or industry	Improves quality management, enhances customer satisfaction
ISO 14001	Environmental management systems – Requirements with guidance for use	Applicable to any organization seeking to manage its environmental responsibilities	Reduces environmental impact, improves sustainability
ISO 45001	Occupational health and safety management systems – Requirements	Designed for organizations to improve employee safety, reduce workplace risks	Enhances workplace safety, reduces accidents and illnesses
ISO/IEC 27001	Information security management systems – Requirements	Applicable to any organization managing sensitive information	Protects information assets, enhances data security
ISO 22000	Food safety management systems – Requirements for any organization in the food chain	Covers all organizations in the food chain, from farm to fork	Ensures food safety, improves consumer confidence
ISO 13485	Medical devices – Quality management systems – Requirements for regulatory purposes	Specific to organizations involved in the design, production, installation, and servicing of medical devices	Ensures quality and safety of medical devices, meets regulatory requirements

American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Standards

The nonprofit American National Standards Institute (ANSI) is in charge of arranging the creation of voluntary consensus standards in the country. Industrial automation is one of the many industries that heavily uses ANSI standards. Most important ANSI standards in the field of industrial automation:

Standard	Purpose	Scope	Benefits
ANSI/ASME B31	Code for Pressure Piping	Covers design, materials, construction, and testing of piping systems	Ensures safety and reliability of piping systems
ANSI/IEEE C2	National Electrical Safety Code	Covers safety standards for the installation, operation, and maintenance of electrical supply and communication lines	Ensures electrical safety, reduces risk of electrical hazards
ANSI/NFPA 70	National Electrical Code	Provides guidelines for safe electrical design, installation, and inspection	Enhances electrical safety, reduces risk of fire and electrical accidents
ANSI/ISEA Z87.1	Occupational and Educational Personal Eye and Face Protection Devices	Specifies requirements for eye and face protection devices	Improves safety, reduces risk of eye and face injuries
ANSI/ISO 14001	Environmental Management Systems	Applicable to any organization seeking to manage its environmental responsibilities	Reduces environmental impact, improves sustainability
ANSI/ISO 9001	Quality Management Systems	Applies to any organization, regardless of size or industry	Improves quality management, enhances customer satisfaction
ANSI/ASQ Z1.4	Sampling Procedures and Tables for Inspection by Attributes	Provides sampling procedures for inspection by attributes	Ensures consistent quality control, reduces inspection costs
ANSI/ASHRAE 90.1	Energy Standard for Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings	Specifies minimum energy efficiency requirements for buildings	Improves energy efficiency, reduces energy consumption and costs
ANSI/ISA-88	Batch Control	Provides guidelines for batch control processes	Ensures consistent and reliable batch processing

European Norm (EN) Standards

European Norms (EN) are standards that are developed and published by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN). These standards are used throughout Europe and are often adopted by other countries as well. Most important EN standards in the field of industrial automation:

Standard	Purpose	Scope	Benefits
EN 1	Flued oil stoves with vaporizing burners	Applies to oil stoves with vaporizing burners	Ensures safety and performance of oil stoves
EN 54	Fire detection and fire alarm systems	Covers components and systems for fire detection and alarm	Improves fire safety, ensures reliable detection and alarm systems
EN 81	Safety rules for the construction and installation of lifts	Applies to lifts and escalators	Enhances safety of lifts and escalators, reduces risk of accidents
EN 115	Safety of escalators and moving walks	Specifies safety requirements for escalators and moving walks	Improves safety, reduces risk of accidents
EN 166	Personal eye protection	Specifies requirements for eye protection devices	Enhances safety, reduces risk of eye injuries
EN 286	Simple unfired pressure vessels designed to contain air or nitrogen	Applies to pressure vessels for air and nitrogen	Ensures safety and reliability of pressure vessels
EN 60204-1	Safety of machinery – Electrical equipment of machines	Covers safety requirements for electrical equipment used in machinery	Enhances safety and compliance in machinery operations
EN 61508	Functional safety of electrical/electronic/programmable electronic safety-related systems	Applies to safety-related systems using electrical/electronic/programmable technologies	Ensures functional safety, reduces risk of failures
EN 62061	Functional safety of safety-related electrical, electronic, and programmable electronic control systems	Specific to machinery applications	mproves safety in machinery operations
EN 62443	Security for industrial automation and control systems	Covers cybersecurity aspects of industrial automation systems	Protects against cyber threats, enhances system security

Communication Protocol Standards in Industrial Automation

Industrial automation relies heavily on communication protocols because they facilitate smooth control and data transmission across disparate systems and components.

These protocols guarantee effective communication between various automation system components, irrespective of the manufacturer. Here are some of the most common communication protocol standards used in industrial automation:

Modbus

Purpose: Facilitates communication between devices in a network.
Scope: Used in various industrial applications, including PLCs, sensors, and instruments.
Benefits: Simple to implement, widely adopted, supports both serial (Modbus RTU) and Ethernet (Modbus TCP/IP) communication.

PROFIBUS (Process Field Bus)

Purpose: Provides high-speed communication between field devices and controllers.
Scope: Commonly used in factory automation and process control.
Benefits: High data transfer rates, supports a wide range of devices, robust and reliable.

PROFINET (Process Field Net)

Purpose: An Ethernet-based protocol for real-time data exchange.
Scope: Successor to PROFIBUS, used in industrial Ethernet applications.
Benefits: High-speed communication, real-time capabilities, integration with IT systems.

EtherNet/IP (Ethernet Industrial Protocol)

Purpose: Uses standard Ethernet to connect industrial devices.
Scope: Widely used in industrial automation for real-time control and data acquisition.
Benefits: High-speed data transfer, interoperability, uses existing Ethernet infrastructure.

Foundation Fieldbus

Purpose: Digital protocol for process automation.
Scope: Used in process industries for distributed control.
Benefits: Advanced features like distributed control, complex block functions, and support for High-Speed Ethernet (HSE).

OPC (OLE for Process Control)

Purpose: Standardizes data exchange between devices and software.
Scope: Used in various industrial automation applications.
Benefits: Platform-independent, supports real-time data exchange, enhances interoperability.

DeviceNet

Purpose: Provides communication between simple industrial devices and higher-level controllers.
Scope: Commonly used in factory automation.
Benefits: Simplifies wiring, supports a wide range of devices, cost-effective.

CANopen

Purpose: Communication protocol for embedded systems.
Scope: Based on the Controller Area Network (CAN), used in automation and control applications.
Benefits: High reliability, real-time capabilities, supports complex networking.

Industrial Ethernet

Purpose: Uses Ethernet protocols for industrial applications.
Scope: Includes various Ethernet-based protocols like EtherCAT, Powerlink, and SERCOS III.
Benefits: High-speed communication, real-time control, robust and scalable.

WirelessHART

Purpose: Wireless communication protocol for industrial automation.
Scope: Used for wireless sensor networks in process industries.
Benefits: Reduces wiring costs, flexible installation, secure and reliable communication.

These communication protocols play a crucial role in ensuring that industrial automation systems operate efficiently and reliably. By adhering to these standards, manufacturers and operators can achieve seamless integration and interoperability between different devices and systems, leading to improved performance and reduced downtime.

Conclusion
Modern production relies heavily on industrial automation standards to maintain efficiency, safety, and compatibility. These standards offer recommendations for the planning, creation, and use of automation techniques, parts, and systems.

In the field of industrial automation, communication protocol standards are among the most significant standards. These standards provide smooth integration and operation by defining the communication protocols between various systems and devices. Businesses can make sure that their automation systems are interoperable and capable of cooperating by following communication standards.

Another important aspect of standards compliance is the need for regular updates and maintenance. As technology advances, standards must evolve to keep pace with new developments. Organizations must stay informed about the latest updates to standards and implement them as needed to maintain compliance and leverage new capabilities.

The production process is greatly impacted by standard compliance. In addition to ensuring regulatory compliance, it can assist provide a competitive edge, decrease downtime, increase efficiency, and improve safety. Standards can help companies build automated systems that are safer, more dependable, and more effective.

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