BS IEC 62671:2013

What is BS IEC 62671 - Instrumentation and control of nuclear power plant about?

BS IEC 62671 is an international standard on nuclear power plants instrumentation and control important to safety. The main purpose of BS IEC 62671 is the selection and use of industrial digital devices of limited functionality.

BS IEC 62671 addresses certain devices that contain embedded software or electronically configured digital circuits that have not been produced to other IEC Standards which apply to systems and equipment important to safety in Nuclear Power Plants, but which are candidates for use in nuclear power plants. It provides requirements for the selection and evaluation of such devices where they have dedicated2, limited, and specific functionality, and limited configurability.

BS IEC 62671 provides the acceptance criteria for the selection, evaluation, and use of certain digital devices that have not been developed specifically for use in these nuclear I&C systems. Such devices are very often developed to meet IEC 61508, and BS IEC 62671 acknowledges that compliance with IEC 61508 can be a key positive factor when qualifying non-nuclear components for nuclear sector use.

Devices addressed by BS IEC 62671 are dedicated devices of limited, specific functionality, that contain or may contain components driven by software or digital circuits designed using software-based tools. Examples are smart sensors, valve positioners, electrical protective devices, or inverters that contain or may contain components driven by software or digital circuits designed using software-based tools. This standard does not address the software aspects of complex general-purpose devices that are addressed by other standards, such as IEC 60880 and IEC 62138 for software.

Who is BS IEC 62671 - Instrumentation and control of nuclear power plant for?

BS IEC 62671 on selection and use of industrial digital devices of limited functionality

is useful for:

• Nuclear power stations
• Atomic energy agencies
• Atomic research organizations
• Nuclear power plants electrical systems and equipment manufacturers
• Operators of NPP, systems evaluators and licensors
• Nuclear safety authorities
• Regulatory authorities

Why should you use BS IEC 62671 - Instrumentation and control of nuclear power plant?

A nuclear power plant has a large number of Instrumentation and equipment, which are all coordinated by instrumentation systems. hence, for the safety of nuclear power plants instrumentation is important for support and reliable power generation by controlling plant processes.

BS IEC 62671 helps you address the issues that should be considered when evaluating the suitability of these dedicated devices of limited, specific functionality for use in a nuclear power plant.

BS IEC 62671 addresses the following issues:

• Functional suitability (does the device perform the functions required, and are these functions suitably secure from interference from any other functions)
• The evidence required to demonstrate this suitability (such as the development process followed, and the operational experience and maturity of the device)
• Aspects affecting the integration of the device in existing systems (e.g. functional compatibility and impact on maintenance and operation)
• Requirements related to ensuring the device will retain its suitability for its required lifetime (Such as the lifetime of the plant)

Compliance with BS IEC 62671 can help you improve the safety of nuclear power plants and avoid accidents caused by uncoordinated and disorganized industrial digital devices.