SIL flow monitor - risk reduction through technology
If you are looking for Safety Integrity Level flow monitors to create functional safety in automated processes, you have come to the right place. For applications with SIL safety requirements, we have developed the flow monitor NLSW®45-3 SIL1 and NLSW®45-3 SIL2 with the corresponding sensors F3.x SIL1 and F3.x SIL2 and externally certified by exida. All devices are optionally available with certification for ATEX zones 1 and 2.
With us and a SIL flow monitor, you can rely on the highest quality 100% "Made in Germany". We would be happy to provide you with a customized offer.
High-quality Safety Integrity Level flow monitors from the experts
In the field of innovative measurement and control technology we at SEIKOM Electronic have become one of the leading suppliers of industrial sensors over the past 30 years, also thanks to consistent quality assurance confirmed by TÜV Nord and ongoing optimization. In addition to our comprehensive range of everything to do with flow measurement, temperature measurement with temperature sensors, pressure measurement with pressure transmitters and pressure switches, air quality sensors, heating, ventilation and air conditioning devices and much more, we are one of the leading suppliers of Safety Integrity Level and explosion protection (ATEX) products such as SIL flow monitors.
In addition to our well-founded selection of technology, our central focus is on our services for you as a customer. What exactly does that mean? With a high degree of customer orientation, we take a lot of time for individual advice and ensure that your inquiries and orders are processed quickly.
What makes flow monitors with functional safety so essential?
Flow monitors, which are classified according to SIL (Safety Integrity Level), are among the safety components in automated processes. They monitor critical functions and control the flow of liquids or gases. More specifically, SIL flow monitors are used to ensure that the flow within a system - be it the flow rate of gases in a pipeline or of liquids in an industrial plant - does not fall below or exceed specified limit values. In addition to monitoring, the tasks of a SIL flow monitor also include initiating immediate measures in the event of a deviation from normal operating conditions, such as triggering alarms or closing valves, in order to ensure the safety of the system and its environment.
SIL is a parameter that is used to evaluate the reliability of safety functions. It is therefore not a direct characteristic of a flow monitor SIL. The higher the SIL value, the higher the reliability and the lower the probability of a dangerous failure.
SIL1 flow monitor and SIL2 flow monitor - what's the difference?
The difference between a SIL 1 flow monitor and a SIL 2 flow monitor lies in the degree of risk reduction they guarantee. Safety Integrity Levels Flow monitors (SIL) are defined according to the international standard IEC 61508 and range from SIL 1 to SIL 4, with SIL 4 representing the highest safety level. The DIN EN 61508 standard defines functional safety and its requirements. If devices, sensors or control systems have SIL certification, they have fulfilled all the guidelines of this strict standard.
A SIL 1 flow monitor offers a basic level of reliability and is typically used in less critical applications where the consequences of a system failure are comparatively low. SIL 2 flow monitors, on the other hand, have a higher level of reliability and are designed for applications where the consequences of a failure can be far more serious and therefore have higher safety requirements. In practice, this means that a SIL 2 flow monitor undergoes more stringent development processes, requires more demanding testing and validation and usually has sophisticated safety mechanisms to reduce the risk of dangerous failure.
Flow monitor ISO 13849
Flow monitors in accordance with ISO 13849 can be found in the area of machine safety and are used to monitor fluid or gas flows in automated systems. ISO 13849 is an international standard for the safety of control systems on machines and specifies requirements for the design and integration of safety-related parts of control systems, including the assessment of the associated risks. ISO 13849 flow monitors are capable of initiating corrective measures such as shutting down the machine or activating emergency procedures in the event of a flow malfunction. They are therefore critical components for ensuring operational safety and protecting personnel and equipment.
A flow monitor ISO 13849 is designed and evaluated to achieve a certain performance level (PL), which ranges from PL a (low) to PL e (high). The performance levels, such as flow monitoring performance level c or flow monitoring performance level d, indicate the extent to which a safety system is able to operate a safety-relevant function under foreseeable conditions.
It was not until 2023 that the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) revised ISO 13849-1. The new version contains essential specifications, such as for determining the performance level. Overall, the revised standard is clearer, more precise and more structured, which essentially makes it easier to select the performance level based on an individual risk assessment.
Where are SIL flow monitors used?
In principle, SIL flow monitors are suitable for a wide range of industrial applications in which reliable monitoring of the flow of liquids or gases is essential for operational safety and production processes. Typical applications include chemical plants, oil and gas industries, power plants, water treatment plants as well as the pharmaceutical industry, paper manufacturers, surface coating plants, paint and varnish producers and many more. We will find out together in a personal consultation whether and which SIL flow monitor suits your requirements.
What you can expect from our range of SIL flow monitors
In addition to "pure" SIL flow monitors, we also offer models that meet ATEX standards and are therefore suitable for use in potentially explosive atmospheres. While SIL refers to the required safety level and the reliability of control systems, ATEX, as an EU directive, ensures that devices and protective systems can be operated safely in potentially hazardous environments.
Certified SIL and ATEX flow monitors provide a high level of safety as they comply with strict international standards for explosion protection and functional safety. In application, this means that a SIL flow switch used in an ATEX classified zone is not only subject to regular and thorough safety assessments to minimize the risk of functional failure, but is also designed so that it is not a source of ignition in a potentially explosive atmosphere.
Areas of application for this combination of safety certifications can be found primarily in the oil and gas industry, in chemical processing plants, in the pharmaceutical industry and wherever flammable gases, vapors or dusts are processed. In such critical environments, safety components must meet the highest safety standards in order to both reduce the risk of accidents and ensure the protection of personnel and the environment.
Our range includes the NLSW®45-3 air flow monitor evaluation unit with SIL1 certification. This has been awarded Safety Integrity Level 1 (SIL1) in accordance with IEC 61508/IEC61511 and, if you have higher requirements for your SIL air flow monitor, is also available with SIL2 certification as an alternative. The universal air flow monitor comes with a switching output that is suitable for switch cabinet installation and has been tested as a type by TÜV NORD in accordance with DIN EN 61010-1: 2011-07. The measuring range is an extended 0.1 ... 30 m/s. The SIL flow monitor is also quick and easy to commission.
If you are looking for a SIL flow monitor for ATEX areas, the NLSW®45-3 Ex SIL1 evaluation unit is your first choice. SIL1 certification is in accordance with IEC 62061, which means that the SIL flow monitor corresponds to performance level c in accordance with EN ISO 13849-1. In combination with two Zener barriers supplied, it can be used in ATEX zones 1 and 2. Developed for demanding industrial areas, the SIL flow monitor has a measuring range of 0.1 to 30 m/s with media temperatures of 0 °C to 60 °C. The sensor is also suitable for installation in control cabinets. In addition, the NLSW®45-3 Ex SIL2 evaluation unit provides you with a SIL2 flow monitor for use in ATEX zones 1 and 2.
From February 2024, all SIL-classified flow monitors will also be available with an analog signal (4-20 mA) in addition to a relay output. SIL-classified flow monitors for liquids will also be available shortly. Our team is working flat out on the development and certification of these devices.
Do you have any further questions about SIL flow monitors or would you like personalized advice from our experts? Please feel free to contact us without obligation. We invite you to take your time to browse through our product categories and find everything you need. You can contact us by phone or email with any questions you may have about SIL flow monitors and the like.
