E+H Instrument Reliability: The Core Position of Safety Design

Reliable E+H measuring instruments are the foundation for stable operation of process management systems. Endress+Hauser instruments adopt a safety-by-design philosophy, helping users reduce process control risks and ensure safety in application scenarios. For E+H, safety is always the first priority in instrument design and manufacturing, and it runs through the entire certification process of products, personnel, and operating procedures.

The Four Major Safety Advantages of E+H Instruments

  • Products: Rationally developed and independently evaluated SIL devices;
  • Processes: Standard functional safety development processes;
  • Personnel: Competent functional safety organization;
  • Sustainability: Strategically managed functional safety for sustainable development.

Certified Products: Enhancing Safety and Usability

Since 1999, E+H has continuously expanded its instrument portfolio to improve instrument safety, reaching a maximum safety integrity level of SIL3. Travel-time level measuring instruments, vibrating limit switches, and hydrostatic level instruments are several representative product categories. Their designs comply with the IEC 61508 standard and have passed independent TÜV assessment. Self-diagnostics and self-test functions further enhance process safety and plant usability.

Certified Personnel and Processes: Achieving Continuous System Improvement

A certified safety management functional system establishes quality and safety policies, enabling permanent, systematic verification and improvement. For hardware and software development, E+H adopts standardized measures to avoid systematic errors and control random failures. Product safety manuals clearly describe the requirements and limitations during the SIL device development process. Extensive testing and verification help users select suitable safety devices and comply with the IEC 61511 standard.

Device Safety Under Fault Conditions: The Liquiphant Failsafe Case

The E+H R&D team has systematically developed a series of measuring devices that meet SIL3 requirements, with full consideration of device safety under fault conditions. Taking the newly developed Liquiphant Failsafe product as an example, its reliability has undergone thorough simulation and testing of up to 100,000 hours of normal operation, 500,000 start-stop cycles, and 1.7 million operating commands. Before product launch, there were already more than 14,000 test cases and 2,500+ test documents, fully verifying sensor performance.

Mechanical Integrity: Reducing Operational Risk

During design and manufacturing, E+H experts follow the rules and calculation results specified in EN and ASME standards. Appropriate materials are selected according to the target industry and actual application. Virtual simulation, actual pressure testing, or FEM (Finite Element Method) are equally crucial. Sealing requirements are met through complex mechanical designs, such as single-layer seals, double-layer seals, or factory seals. Material reliability identification, material traceability, and welding documentation are also important.