Tutorial: SIL 103: SIL Certification Demystified

Confusion over SIL certification abounds. The IEC 61508 and 61511 standards omit specific requirements regarding SIL certification, inevitably leading to a variety of interpretations. Unfortunately, confusion has been exacerbated by the plethora of agencies, consultants, and product manufacturers who publish conflicting information. With so many inconsistencies in the marketplace, how does an end-user or integrator make sense of what is being communicated and make an educated and reasonable decision?