ADVERTORIALS
TECHNOLOGY IN ACTION
WHY FUNCTIONAL SAFETY STILL MATTERS IN POINT LEVEL DETECTION
When discussing functional safety, attention often focuses on control systems, software and complex automation architectures. Yet many critical safety functions ultimately depend on something far simpler: reliable field instrumentation.
Point level switches are among the most widely used devices in the process industries. From chemical storage and water treatment to food manufacturing and bulk solids handling, they provide vital information that helps protect people, equipment and the environment. Despite their importance, these devices are frequently overlooked until a prob- lem occurs.
Functional safety is concerned with reducing risk to an acceptable level through safety-related systems. Within process industries, Safety Instrumented Systems (SIS) monitor process conditions and initiate protective actions when predefined limits are exceeded. Whether preventing vessel overfill, equipment damage, product loss or environ- mental incidents, the effectiveness of these systems depends heavily on the reliability of the instrumentation providing the input signals.
This is where Safety Integrity Level (SIL) plays a key role. Defined within IEC 61508 and IEC 61511, SIL provides a framework for assessing the reliability of a safety function. For engineers specifying instrumenta- tion, SIL certification offers confidence that a device has been inde- pendently assessed for use in safety-related applications. However, SIL should be viewed as more than a certification requirement; it forms
34 PROCESS & CONTROL ENGINEERING | OCTOBER 2026
part of a broader approach to risk management, proof testing and lifecycle maintenance.
Point level switches are commonly used as independent protection devices, providing functions such as high and low level alarms, overfill protection, pump protection, process interlocks and emergency shut- downs. While their operating principle may be straightforward, the consequences of failure can be significant. A failed high-level switch could contribute to an overfill event, while a non-operational low-level switch may allow pumps to run dry, resulting in equipment damage and unplanned downtime.
As plants continue to improve both safety performance and opera- tional efficiency, there is increasing focus on technologies that offer greater reliability, easier proof testing and reduced maintenance de- mands.
While point level switches may be among the simplest devices installed on a plant, their contribution to functional safety should never be underestimated. Reliable instrumentation remains the foundation of effective safety systems, making point level detection a critical part of any functional safety strategy.
VEGA
info.uk@
vega.com
www.vega.com/uk
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40
