This part of IEC 61784-3 specifies a safety communication layer (services and protocol) based on IEC 61784-1-19, IEC 61784-2-19 and the IEC 61158 series (Type 24 and Type 27). It identifies the principles for functional safety communications defined in IEC 61784-3 that are relevant for this safety communication layer. This safety communication layer is intended for implementation in safety devices only.

NOTE 1 It does not cover electrical safety and intrinsic safety aspects. Electrical safety relates to hazards such as electrical shock. Intrinsic safety relates to hazards associated with potentially explosive atmospheres.

This document defines mechanisms for the transmission of safety-relevant messages among participants within a distributed network using fieldbus technology in accordance with the requirements of the IEC 61508 series1 for functional safety. These mechanisms can be used in various industrial applications such as process control, manufacturing automation and machinery.

This document provides guidelines for both developers and assessors of compliant devices and systems.

NOTE 2 The resulting SIL claim of a system depends on the implementation of the selected functional safety communication profile within this system – implementation of a functional safety communication profile according to this document in a standard device is not sufficient to qualify it as a safety device.