【2025 Standard Recommendations】Commonly Used International Standards for Control Systems (2/2)
Thread Content
V. Alarm Management and Operator Interface ISA 18 / IEC 62682 – Alarm Management: These standards specify procedures for optimizing alarms, determining their priorities, and suppressing unnecessary alerts, thereby ensuring that operators can respond effectively and reducing the problem of an excessive number of alarms. The structured alarm mechanism established based on this standard enhances the efficiency of operators and the safety of the factory, particularly in critical scenarios such as equipment startup and shutdown.
EEMUA 191 – Alarm System Design Guide: A globally recognized guide that complements ISA 18, focusing on human factors, system design, performance monitoring, and personnel training.
ISA 101 – HMI Design Standards: These standards for human-machine interface (HMI) design focus on creating control system displays that are user-centered, thereby improving the clarity and consistency of the interfaces as well as the operators’ ability to understand their surroundings. Modern HMIs that comply with ISA 101 can help operators locate problems quickly, reducing the risk of misjudgment during process abnormalities.
IEC 61439 – Low-voltage switchgear and controlgear assemblies: Requirements for the design, assembly, and testing of low-voltage switchgear and controlgear components. The international standard IEC 61439 specifies the requirements for the design, assembly, and testing of such components. In 2014, this standard replaced the older IEC 60439 to accommodate new safety standards and technological advancements. It ensures the safety, reliability, and consistency of electrical panels used in power distribution, motor control, and automation systems. IEC 61439 provides detailed specifications for low-voltage electrical components, defining the responsibilities of manufacturers and testers, including: – Temperature rise limits – Dielectric performance standards – Short-circuit resistance requirements – Mechanical strength requirements – Internal isolation specifications
VI. Equipment Management and Intelligent Meters – ISA 108: Intelligent Device Management. This standard outlines methods for automated diagnosis and the integration of intelligent devices, helping engineers shift from passive maintenance to proactive prevention strategies. This standard supports compatibility and interoperability among HART, Fieldbus Foundation, and WirelessHART devices in intelligent maintenance systems.
VII. Cable and Installation Standards IEC 60228 – Conductors in Insulated Cables: This standard sets out the technical requirements for copper and aluminum conductors, ensuring that control and power cables meet the appropriate specifications and that electrical continuity is maintained.
IEC 60331 – Circuit Integrity Under Fire: Testing the circuit integrity in fire conditions; it is essential for the safety systems in hazardous environments, as it assesses the performance of cables under fire conditions.
IEC 60332 – Flame Retardant Cable Testing: Standards for testing flame-retardant cables, aimed at preventing the spread of fires in small control rooms and industrial cabinets.
VIII. Control Center Infrastructure ISA 60 – Control Center Facility Standards. These standards address environmental factors such as ergonomics, space layout, lighting, and HVAC, in order to ensure the efficient and stable operation of control centers. Adhering to this standard ensures long-term operational comfort for the operator, smooth operation of processes, and compliance with human factors engineering principles.
IX. Other recommended standards: IEC 60079 – Explosive Atmospheres, the standard for explosive environments. As the core standard for the design of instrumentation and control systems in hazardous areas (Zone 0, Zone 1, Zone 2), it covers requirements such as temperature ratings, explosion-proof equipment, and intrinsically safe circuits.
ISA-TR20 – Instrumentation Specification: Technical report on instrument specifications, providing templates and guidance for circuit design, instrument selection, data sheet preparation, and system documentation.