Functional Safety Certification for Nuclear Decommissioning Robots: IEC 61513 Explained

Date
2027-05-17
Location
Online
Host
Zach L

About this event

A Mock Exam Session for Robotics Engineers pursuing functional safety certification. A live 30-minute mock exam session on IEC 61513 (Nuclear Power Plant I&C) for nuclear decommissioning robots, built for robotics engineers pursuing functional safety certification. What We'll Cover: What IEC 61513 (Nuclear Power Plant I&C) requires and how its scope applies to nuclear decommissioning robots Mapping IEC 61513 clauses to the certification evidence assessors expect System-specific hazards and safety functions typical of nuclear decommissioning robots Common findings that delay certification, and how to avoid them A practical readiness roadmap for robotics engineers preparing for assessment Related topics: IEC 61513 · Nuclear Decommissioning Robots · functional safety certification · functiona

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About IEC 61513 (Nuclear Power Plant I&C)

This event covers the compliance, engineering, and verification requirements defined by IEC 61513.

IEC 61513 is the nuclear sector's system-level standard for instrumentation and control important to safety: overall I&C architecture, defense in depth across categories, and the lifecycle for systems performing category A/B/C functions.

What it regulates

I&C architecture constraints (independence between safety divisions and defense lines), system lifecycle from requirements to qualification, and the mapping to IEC 61226 categories with supporting standards (60880 software for category A).

Who must comply

NPP I&C vendors and utilities under national regulators referencing IEC (or IEEE in US practice).

Key requirements of IEC 61513

  • Overall I&C safety design: diversity, independence, prioritization of safety actuation
  • System-level lifecycle and qualification incl. environmental/seismic
  • Interfaces: 61226 categorization, 60880/62138 software, 60987 hardware

Key concepts: IEC 61513

Category A/B/C
Nuclear function importance classes driving standard selection and rigor.
Defense in depth in I&C
Independent lines (control, limitation, protection) so common failures cannot defeat safety.
Diversity requirements
Protection against common-cause failure of redundant digital systems via diverse means.

Frequently asked questions: IEC 61513

How does nuclear treat software CCF?

Category A protection typically demands diverse backup (different platform/technology or hardwired) because identical redundant software offers no CCF protection — a stricter stance than most sectors.

Standard information based on the published text of IEC 61513 (Nuclear Power Plant I&C). Event content is provided by the host. For authoritative guidance, consult the official standard body.