This part of the IEC 61784-3 series explains some common principles than can be used in the
transmission of safety-relevant messages among participants within a distributed network
using fieldbus technology in accordance with the requirements of IEC 61508 series for
functional safety. These principles can be used in various industrial applications such as
process control, manufacturing automation and machinery.
This part1 and the IEC 61784-3-x parts specify several functional safety communication
profiles based on the communication profiles and protocol layers of the fieldbus technologies
in IEC 61784-1, IEC 61784-2 and the IEC 61158 series.
NOTE 1 Other safety-related communication systems meeting the requirements of IEC 61508 series may exist
that are not included in this standard.
NOTE 2 It does not cover electrical safety and intrinsic safety aspects. Electrical safety relates to hazards such
as electrical shock. Intrinsic safety relates to hazards associated with potentially explosive atmospheres.
All systems are exposed to unauthorized access at some point of their life cycle. Additional
measures need to be considered in any safety-related application to protect fieldbus systems
against unauthorized access. IEC 62443 will address many of these issues; the relationship
with IEC 62443 is detailed in a dedicated subclause of this part.
NOTE 3 Additional profile specific requirements for security may also be specified in the future IEC 61784-4.
NOTE 4 Implementation of a functional safety communication profile according to this part in a device is not
sufficient to qualify it as a safety device, as defined in IEC 61508 series.
NOTE 5 The resulting SIL claim of a system depends on the implementation of the selected functional safety
communication profile within this system.
IEC 61784-3:2007 history
2021IEC 61784-3:2021 Industrial communication networks - Profiles - Part 3: Functional safety fieldbuses - General rules and profile definitions
2017IEC 61784-3:2016/AMD1:2017 Industrial communication networks - Profiles - Part 3: Functional safety fieldbuses - General rules and profile definitions
2017IEC 61784-3:2017 Industrial communication networks - Profiles - Part 3-18: Functional safety fieldbuses - Additional specifications for CPF 18
0000 IEC 61784-3:2016 RLV
2010IEC 61784-3:2010 Industrial communication networks - Profiles - Part 3: Functional safety fieldbuses - General rules and profile definitions
2007IEC 61784-3:2007 Industrial communication networks - Profiles - Part 3: Functional safety fieldbuses - General rules and profile definitions