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Reliability of interlocking systems
Author(s) -
Freeman Raymond A.
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
process safety progress
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.378
H-Index - 40
eISSN - 1547-5913
pISSN - 1066-8527
DOI - 10.1002/prs.680130307
Subject(s) - interlock , redundancy (engineering) , reliability engineering , interlocking , reliability (semiconductor) , computer science , engineering , mechanical engineering , power (physics) , physics , quantum mechanics
The design of high integrity interlock systems involves more than the simple specification of high‐quality components. Redundancy of components is often used as a strategy to improve the reliability of an interlock system. This paper uses quantitative reliability engineering methods to explore the relationships of component reliability, time between proof tests, redundancy and common cause failures to overall system performance. The paper demonstrates that addition to redundancy often, but not always, improves the reliability of an interlock system. The paper also demonstrates how common cause failures can greatly reduce the chances of an interlock system performing when needed.