ABB releases next generation System 800xA high integrity safety system

Integrated system provides SIL 3 protection while optimizing process efficiency.

By Control Engineering Staff February 4, 2009

ABB has released its next generation System 800xA High Integrity safety system. This SIL 3 rated safety integrated system (SIS) provides a high level of integration of safety and control, providing protection for the process, plant, personnel, and surrounding environment. The new platform received its SIL 3 certification from TÜV in November 2008.

“This next generation safety system offering is a continuation of our ongoing commitment to help our customers operate more safely and efficiently, to protect their vital assets while they improve their productivity and maximize uptime,” says Kristian Olsson, manager of ABB’s safety center of excellence. “The latest version of System 800xA High Integrity harnesses the benefits of the 800xA environment to ensure significant savings across all stages of the system lifecycle.”

The company says its new version of System 800xA High Integrity is the latest addition to ABB’s safety portfolio. The company has been developing applications since 1979, when it commissioned the first emergency shut down system on the Statfjord B offshore oil platform in the North Sea. ABB will commemorate its 30 years of safety experience in 2009.

System 800xA High Integrity leverages System 800xA’s common engineering tools, HMI, historian, audit trail, and asset and device management applications to improve overall integrity and reliability of process control and SIS operations. The platform is available up to and including Quad configuration to allow end users to tailor solutions to specific process requirements. This helps optimize efficiency and cost while protecting the process, personnel and the environment.

First released in 2005, System 800xA High Integrity offers the flexibility of hosting both safety and process critical control applications in the same controller, providing logical separation of control and safety functions. ABB worked closely with Dow Chemical to develop this system and make it available commercially.

—Edited by Peter Welander, process industries editor, PWelander@cfemedia.com , Process & Advanced Control Monthly eNewsletter Register here to select your choice of free eNewsletters .