5 factors for choosing a pressure transmitter with the right safety integrity level

When it comes to the maintenance of measuring instruments, one of the most important things to consider is sensor reliability. The failure of a pressure transmitter can set off a chain reaction that will impact the industrial process and the quality of your production.

Discover five factors that can help limit sensor failures on your equipment. By understanding these elements, you can avoid costly disruptions and guarantee the reliability of your production. 


Summarize this article with :


1. Define risk and hazard levels

pressure transmitters are among the most widely used measuring instruments in industrial maintenance. They are used to monitor and control pressure in pipes and tanks, helping to detect system faults, ensure a quality manufacturing process and prevent accidents. Unfortunately, these sensors are sometimes not sufficiently efficient and can cause problems for equipment.

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It is important to define the level of risk and danger associated with sensor failure before selecting a measuring instrument. Factors to consider are :

  • The impact of the risk on personnel or the environment
  • Frequency of exposure to the hazard
  • The possibility of avoiding danger
  • Probability of hazard occurrence

This means you can choose a measuring instrument that suits your situation and limit the risks involved.


2. Select failure probabilities

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Of all the possible failure probabilities, it's important to target those that present the greatest risk to your installation. These probabilities correspond to situations where sensor failure could cause significant physical or financial damage.

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The Safe Failure Fraction (SFF ) is an indicator that measures the safety level of a pressure transmitter. It is calculated by dividing the average rate of detected failures (safe and dangerous) and undetected failures (safe), by the total average rate of failures experienced. This indicator enables you to choose the safest sensor for your equipment. The higher the SFF rate, the higher the safety level of your pressure transmitter .

With an SFF rating of over 97%, Fuji Electric's FCX pressure transmitter offers the highest level of safety. 


3. Evaluate the safety loop

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The safety loop is a device that detects sensor failures and stops the industrial process before damage is caused. It is an important safety measure that can help limit the risks associated with sensor failure.

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It's important to target the danger points in your installation and evaluate the safety loop before choosing a measuring instrument. You need to make sure that the device is reliable, that it can detect sensor failures, and that it is compatible with the pressure transmitter you choose.


4. Plan and optimize process availability

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Process availability is an important indicator of system reliability. It represents the time during which the system is up and running. Availability must be planned and optimized to ensure system reliability.

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When a sensor fails, it's important to plan and optimize process availability to avoid costly disruptions. This means anticipating maintenance before equipment fails. In this way, you can ensure process continuity and reduce the risk of failure.


5. Consider equipment fault tolerance

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It is also important to consider the fault tolerance of the equipment when installing a new sensor. If the equipment has a low fault tolerance, it is advisable toinstall a second sensor in parallel to ensure process continuity. This strategy reduces the risk of failure and ensures the safety of equipment and operators.


Strengthen your process reliability with Fuji Electric

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pressure transmitters failures can be very costly and disrupt your industrial process.

Choosing the right pressure transmitter for your needs is therefore essential to limit these failures and ensure the longevity of your equipment, the reliability of your industrial processes and the quality of your production.

By understanding these five key factors when choosing your pressure transmitters, you can ensure the functional safety of your instrumentation and the reliability of your industrial processes.

The Fuji Electric FCXpressure transmitter offers the highest level of safety. With an SFF rating of over 97%, you can be sure you're choosing a reliable sensor that's right for your industrial equipment.

What's more, our pressure transmitters are SIL 2 (HFT=0) and SIL 3 (HFT=1) certified to IEC 61508 and IEC 61511, making them ideal for high-risk applications in the oil & gas, chemical and nuclear industries.


Would you like to guarantee the SIL safety and integrity of your pressure transmitter?

Let's choose the right pressure transmitter for your safety requirements.