SIL
Abbreviation with 2 meanings
| Stands for | Safety integrity level |
|---|---|
| Meanings | 2 |
| Categories | Science & Engineering, Texting & Internet Slang |
SIL has two meanings. It stands for Safety integrity level (engineering) or Sister-in-law (parenting forum).
Meanings of SIL at a glance
| # | SIL stands for | Context |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Safety integrity level | Science & Engineering › Engineering |
| 2 | Sister-in-law | Texting & Internet Slang › Parenting Forum |
1. Safety integrity level
Science & Engineering · Engineering Abbreviations
Measure of the risk reduction provided by a safety function, such as an automatic shutdown system, defined in IEC 61508 and related standards. Levels range from SIL 1 to SIL 4, with each higher level corresponding to roughly ten times lower probability of failure on demand.
Example: The high-pressure trip on the reactor was assigned SIL 2 after the risk assessment.
IEC 61508 covers functional safety in general, while IEC 61511 applies it to the process industries; automotive uses a related scheme, ASIL, in ISO 26262. Achieving a SIL requires appropriate hardware reliability, architecture, testing and management procedures. SIL 4 is rare outside rail and nuclear applications.
2. Sister-in-law
Texting & Internet Slang · Parenting Forum Abbreviations
The sister of one's spouse or the wife of one's sibling, as in "SIL is hosting Christmas this year." Holiday hosting, baby names and gift disputes with SILs fill many forum threads.
Example: SIL announced her pregnancy at our gender reveal and I'm still annoyed.
The double meaning, spouse's sister or brother's wife, sometimes needs clarifying in posts. Disputes involving SILs and family events are a classic forum genre. In engineering, SIL means safety integrity level, unrelated to family.
Related abbreviations
More engineering abbreviations
- RTU – Rooftop unit
- SAT – Site acceptance test
- SCADA – Supervisory control and data acquisition
- SEER – Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio
- SMAW – Shielded metal arc welding
- SPC – Statistical process control
- SS – Stainless steel
- TIG – Tungsten inert gas (welding)
See all 79 engineering abbreviations →