General information

When implementing safety functions in machines, it is necessary to evaluate in particular whether the components to be used are suitable in terms of functional safety. When using functionally safe motor options from SEW‑EURODRIVE, the following safety-related requirements, e.g. in accordance with EN ISO 13849 – parts 1 and 2, are already taken into account:

• Application of basic safety principles
• Application of proven safety principles
• Use of proven components
• Specifications on failure probability (B_10D, MTTF_D, or PFH_D)
• Common cause failure (CCF)
• Determination of the system structure (HFT) and/or the category (Cat.)
• Determination of the safety integrity level (SIL) and/or the performance level (PL)
• Determination of the service life
• Production monitoring with 100% final inspection
• Retraceability by the unique motor assignment
• Notice of influences and ambient conditions
• Compliance with normative requirements regarding documentation

As an advantage for the machine designer, SEW-EURODRIVE has already fulfilled these safety-relevant requirements for functionally safe motor options. In the overall analysis of safety technology, the machine designer can rely on the manufacturer's confirmation, e.g. based on the product documentation or the German Technical Inspection Association (TÜV) certificate. The internal effort required for evaluation and documentation is reduced considerably.

If other components (standard components) are used for implementing safety functions, the machine designer has to evaluate the safety-related requirements.