In today’s industrial landscape, automation and safety are closely linked. The widespread use of automated systems and smart electronic devices calls for designs that integrate functional safety and operator protection from the very beginning. In this context, Sertech Elettronica develops custom control solutions that ensure reliability, regulatory compliance, and optimal integration into automated production environments.
Why Automation Must Include Safety
The digital transformation of industrial processes and the adoption of the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) have made systems more efficient, but also more exposed to operational and cyber risks. Key vulnerabilities include:
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Electrical or logical faults
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Configuration or maintenance errors
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Unauthorized human intervention
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Cyberattacks on connected devices
That’s why automation systems must be designed using a fail-safe logic, where each component—from sensors to microcontrollers—actively contributes to maintaining safe conditions, even in the event of a failure.
Functional Safety: Standards and Regulatory Obligations
The design of industrial control devices must comply with stringent international standards, including:
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IEC 61508 – the foundational standard for safety-related programmable electronic systems
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ISO 13849-1 – defines how to assess the Performance Level (PL) of safety functions for machinery
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IEC 62061 – sets requirements for electrical control systems using the Safety Integrity Level (SIL)
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CEI EN 60204-1 – a key technical standard for the safety of electrical equipment on machinery, providing detailed guidelines for the design of panels, interfaces, and protective circuits
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Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC – currently in force, outlines the essential health and safety requirements for machinery placed on the EU market
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Machinery Regulation (EU) 2023/1230 – known as the New Machinery Regulation, it will apply starting January 20, 2027, and introduces significant updates regarding software, cybersecurity, and AI in industrial systems
At Sertech, we design custom electronics with integrated emergency logic, continuity checks, watchdogs, and redundant components, in full compliance with the required safety levels.
Logical Security: Access Control and Firmware Protection
As industrial connectivity becomes more common, cybersecurity has become essential. Our devices may include:
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Multi-level user authentication
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Firmware write protection
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Secure communication protocols (e.g., TLS, encrypted MQTT)
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Event logging and built-in diagnostics
These features enhance system resilience and protect industrial assets from unauthorized or harmful interventions.
Applications: Safe Automation in Real Use Cases
Sertech’s electronic solutions are applied in:
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Automated handling systems with anti-collision and force-limiting logic
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Production lines with safety sensors and light curtains
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Automated warehouses with emergency stop, reset, and controlled auto-restart features
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Robotic systems with protected working zones and predictive diagnostics
Each project starts with risk analysis, continues with robust hardware design, and is completed with tailored, remotely updatable firmware.
Competitive Advantages of Safe Electronics
Combining safety with automation leads to measurable benefits:
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Greater uptime and reduced unplanned downtime
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Guaranteed compliance with European safety standards
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Improved operator protection and fewer accidents
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Lower insurance and legal costs
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Strengthened reputation with customers and auditors
Automation and safety are no longer separate domains. Only an integrated approach enables the design of smart, connected, and reliable systems. Sertech Elettronica supports companies that want to advance toward secure automation, delivering tailored electronics in line with current standards and production needs.
Get in touch to discuss your next high-safety industrial control project.