Safety Engineering in SIMATIC S7
System Manual, 04/2006, A5E00109529-05
1-1
Overview of Fail-safe Systems
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1.1
1.1
Introduction
Objective of Safety Engineering
The objective of safety engineering is to minimize danger to humans and the environment as
much as possible through use of safety-oriented technical installations without restricting
industrial production and the use of machines and chemical products any more than
necessary.
What are Fail-safe Automation Systems?
Fail-safe automation systems (F-systems) are used to control processes that can achieve a
safe state immediately as a result of a shutdown. That is, F-systems control processes in
which an immediate shutdown does not endanger humans or the environment.
Fail-safe systems go beyond conventional safety engineering to enable far-reaching
intelligent systems that extend all the way to the electrical drives and measuring systems.
F-systems are used in systems with advanced safety requirements. Improved fault detection
and localization in F-systems through detailed diagnostic information enables production to
be resumed quickly following a safety-related interruption.
Overview
This chapter provides an introduction to safety engineering in SIMATIC S7.
S7 Distributed Safety and S7 F/FH Systems are introduced along with their areas of
application. The important similarities and differences between the two fail-safe systems are
also presented.
In the last part of the chapter, we introduce the user to the basic procedure to be followed
when working with the fail-safe systems S7 Distributed Safety and S7 F/FH Systems.
