Functional Safety - GE Mark VIe System Manual

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Functional Safety

Functional Safety
This chapter provides an introduction to the Mark VIeS Safety control, which is used
for functional safety loops to achieve SIL 2 and 3 capabilities. The Mark VIeS Safety
control is used by operators knowledgeable in safety-instrumented system (SIS)
applications to reduce risk in critical safety functions. Safety controllers and distributed
I/O modules are programmed specifically for safety control use, and this specific
control hardware has been IEC 61508 certified.
Functional safety is concerned about the speed of the control system's reaction to trip
the system (energize to trip) or to provide an emergency shut-down (de-energize to trip)
when a safety-critical event occurs. With this in mind, safety equipment is rated to meet
safety integrity levels (SIL), which are achieved by analyzing probability of failure on
demand.
The Mark VIeS Safety control is a differentiator in the market because of its significant
flexibility, easy of control logic development, and redundancy capabilities. Its safety
I/O is very flexible in application, for example both analog inputs and outputs are
available. The Mark VIeS Safety control is an engineered solution designed for the
customers that work on our systems to help simplify and reduce maintenance costs.
GE has engineered specific solutions for their internal turbine power plant applications,
meeting high standards for reliability of function, and continues to invest in new SIL
capabilities, for example GE Oil & Gas YSIL applications. The Mark VIeS control has
just recently been made available for integration into other safety-critical applications
outside of GE, for example emergency shutdown, burner management, and fire and
gas-critical control applications. This solution reflects the experience of three plus
decades, four generations, and over ten thousand installed triple-redundant digital
turbine controls.
Public Information
GEH-6721_Vol_I_BP System Guide 67