What is BS EN 61131-1 - General information on programmable controllers about?
BS EN 61131-1 is the first part of multiple series that applies to programmable controllers (PLC) and their associated peripherals such as programming and debugging tools (PADTs), human-machine interfaces (HMIs), etc., which have as their intended use the control and command of machines and industrial processes.
Note: BS EN 61131-1 does not deal with the functional safety or other aspects of the overall automated system. PLCs, their application programme and their associated peripherals are considered as components of a control system.
Who is BS EN 61131-1 - General information on programmable controllers for?
BS EN 61131-1 on programmable controllers is useful for:
- Software programmers/engineers   
- The IT industries  
- Users of programmable controller systems  
- Implementers of programming and debugging tools  
- Programming language implementers
Why should you use BS EN 61131-1 - General information on programmable controllers?
PLCs and their associated peripherals are intended to be used in an industrial environment and may be provided as open or enclosed equipment. If a PLC or its associated peripherals are intended for use in other environments, then the specific requirements, standards, and installation practices for those other environments must be additionally applied to the PLC and its associated peripherals.
BS EN 61131-1 defines programmable controllers and identifies the principal functional characteristics of programmable controller systems. BS EN 61131-1 specifies the functionality of a programmable controller performed as well on a specific hardware and software platform as on a general-purpose computer or a personal computer with industrial environment features. This can be applied to any products performing the function of PLCs and/or their associated peripherals.
Overall, BS EN 61131-1 defines definitions and identifies the key qualities that will help you in selecting and using programmable controllers and their associated peripherals.
