What is the difference between interlock and protection?
What is the difference between interlock and protection?
The difference between interlock and protection based on the provided image can be explained as follows:
Interlocks
- Purpose: Enhance operational safety and dependability.
- Definition: Programmed or hardwired control systems meant to impose safe operating sequences or circumstances
- Function: Make sure particular criteria are satisfied before permitting an action (e.g., turning on a pump just when a valve is open) therefore preventing inappropriate or dangerous functioning of equipment.
- Application: Often used for logical sequencing, start-up/shutdown conditions, and process integrity assurance.
Protections
- Purpose: Stop damage or injury to the system, staff, and tools.
- Definition: Programmed or hardwired systems designed to automatically identify aberrant circumstances and respond to stop equipment malfunction or mishaps…
- Function: Function: Set off trips or shutdowns under fault or abnormal conditions such differential faults, earth faults, or short circuits.
- Application:Applied in critical systems such generators, boilers, turbines, and high-voltage (HV) circuits where quick response is needed to stop catastrophic failure.
Key Differences between interlock and protection
| Aspect | Interlock | Protection |
|---|---|---|
| Objective | Ensure correct operating conditions | Prevent damage/failure in fault conditions |
| Trigger | Based on logic or operational conditions | Based on faults or abnormal conditions |
| Response | Prevent or allow operations | Trip or shut down equipment |
| Typical Use | Process safety and reliability | Electrical and mechanical fault safety |
Interlocks are preventative, guaranteeing safe sequences; protections are reactive, reacting to error to stop damage.