CCC White Paper

Balance Machinery Safety and Uptime with Smarter System Architecture

Learn why separating turbomachinery control and protection systems is key to minimizing downtime and maximizing reliability.

In turbomachinery operations, safety and business continuity often conflict when poorly designed systems trigger spurious trips or, worse, fail to detect critical events. This white paper explains why separating controls from safety systems is essential for minimizing operational risks while maximizing uptime and reliability.

You'll understand the key differences between overspeed, surge detection, and vibration monitoring systems, as well as when a Safety Integrity Level (SIL) certification is truly necessary. The paper highlights best practices outlined in standards such as API 670 (5th Edition), IEC 61508, and IEC 61511, helping engineers design architectures that strike a balance between safety and availability.

Real-world examples demonstrate how improper system integration can lead to costly downtime or expose operations to serious hazards, and how proper safety system separation enhances both protection and plant profitability.