IEC 61987-13:2016

Overview

IEC 61987-13:2016 is a key international standard developed by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) for industrial-process measurement and control. This standard focuses on data structures and elements in process equipment catalogues, specifically providing lists of properties (LOP) for pressure measuring equipment intended for electronic data exchange. It defines comprehensive operating (OLOP) and device lists of properties (DLOP) that describe operating parameters and requirements for various types of pressure measurement devices, including pressure transmitters and gauges.

The standard supports seamless communication and data interoperability between manufacturers, suppliers, engineering firms, and plant owners by establishing a uniform framework for describing pressure measurement equipment. It facilitates efficient data exchange across business systems, engineering tools, procurement processes, and maintenance activities.

Key Topics

• Operating Lists of Properties (OLOP): Defines a universal set of operating parameters applicable across all types of pressure measuring equipment, supporting consistent inquiries and quotations.
• Device Lists of Properties (DLOP): Provides detailed property sets tailored to specific device types, such as absolute and differential pressure transmitters, gauges, remote seals, and manifolds.
• Data Standardization for Interoperability: Promotes standardized terminology, structures, and electronic formats to avoid duplication and inconsistency in device documentation across different companies and IT systems.
• Polymorphic Areas and Property Blocks: Addresses complex, variable components of pressure measurement devices with structured blocks of properties where applicable, enabling flexible and precise data representation.
• Integration with IEC 61987 Series: Complements related standards (IEC 61987-10 and IEC 61987-11) which provide the foundational structure elements and generic frameworks for lists of properties covering various industrial process instruments.

Applications

IEC 61987-13:2016 is highly applicable in various industrial sectors where process control and automation rely on accurate pressure measurement, including chemical plants, oil and gas, water treatment, power generation, and manufacturing. Typical use cases include:

• Equipment Specification and Procurement: Enables purchasers and suppliers to exchange comprehensive, standardized equipment data facilitating efficient quotation management and procurement workflows.
• Engineering and Design: Supports consistent device descriptions in engineering databases (CAE systems), minimizing errors during design and integration of pressure measuring instruments.
• Maintenance and Asset Management: Improves the reliability and accessibility of device data within plant maintenance systems, enhancing preventive maintenance and troubleshooting processes.
• Supply Chain and Enterprise Systems: Enables integration of device catalogues into enterprise resource planning (ERP) and automation systems, streamlining inventory management and system configuration.

Adoption of IEC 61987-13 boosts productivity by reducing redundant data entry and improving communication accuracy between diverse stakeholders in the industrial automation ecosystem.

Related Standards

• IEC 61987-10: Specifies structural elements for constructing lists of properties for electrical and process control equipment to support automatic data exchange.
• IEC 61987-11: Defines a generic structure for operating and device lists of properties (OLOPs and DLOPs), forming the framework for specific device-type standards like IEC 61987-13.
• IEC 61131: Concerns programmable controllers and might be used in conjunction for control systems involving pressure measurement instrumentation.
• ISO 15926: For integration of life-cycle data for process plants, may complement IEC 61987 in enterprise-wide data exchange.

Conclusion

IEC 61987-13:2016 is an essential standard for engineers, manufacturers, and system integrators involved in industrial process measurement and control. By standardizing the data structures and properties for pressure measuring devices, it enables efficient electronic data exchange, reduces discrepancies, and supports digital transformation in process industries. Implementing this standard facilitates improved coordination across design, procurement, operation, and maintenance cycles, delivering tangible benefits in accuracy, efficiency, and system interoperability.