In today’s automotive industry, safety is paramount. With the rise of autonomous vehicles, electric vehicles (EVs), and increasingly complex safety systems, the need for reliable and functional safety measures is greater than ever. One essential component that ensures vehicle safety in critical systems is the automotive relay. When designed to meet the stringent requirements of IEC 61508, an international standard for functional safety, automotive relays play a crucial role in minimizing risks and preventing catastrophic failures.

What is IEC 61508? IEC 61508 is a widely recognized international standard that defines the safety requirements for electrical, electronic, and programmable electronic systems used in safety-critical applications. The standard aims to ensure that these systems function safely and that the risks associated with system failures are minimized. The standard outlines the development, testing, and maintenance processes necessary to achieve functional safety, and it introduces the concept of Safety Integrity Levels (SIL) to categorize the risk reduction offered by safety systems. The Role of Automotive Relays