Emerson Process Management has announced an overspeed detection system for rotating machinery such as pumps, turbines and compressors, that helps to protect equipment from damage and personnel from injuries. It also detects rotational direction to avoid potential problems during start-ups

The CSI 6300 SIS system (above), which is TÜV-certified for SIL 3 applications, is claimed to be only overspeed protection system that complies with the latest version of the EN 61508:2010 safety standard as well as the European Machinery Directive.

The system uses three independent sensors to monitor rotational speed, compares the measurements to configured safety limits, and uses two-out-of-three voting logic to verify an overspeed condition. If it detects such a condition, it shuts down the machine to minimise potential damage and danger.

Unlike earlier overspeed protection systems, the new system provides rotational direction detection as an additional, SIL 2-rated safety function. This uses the same sensors to detect rotational direction on start-up – allowing pump-users, for example, to confirm that their equipment is working correctly or to take corrective action to avoid equipment damage and process upsets.