Configurable binary circuits for use in electrical power systems may include an input/output port, a binary input subsystem for receiving a binary input signal, a binary output subsystem for transmitting a binary output signal, and a switch subsystem for selecting one of the binary input subsystem or the binary output subsystem for operation. Intelligent electronic devices (IEDs) and associated methods may include one or more configurable binary circuits.

The present invention discloses a method for automating process control interlock testing, verification and documentation. Various control system entities can be utilized by a created control system program that understands the required response of the control system to various operating conditions and interlocks. By continuously monitoring control system entities the created program evaluates the control systems ability to shut down the process and equipment. The automated method verifies that all utilized control system programming, software, hardware, communicated and/or hardwired interconnections are working properly. The automated method and continuous monitoring can determine that an interlock is incapable of shutting down the process as required and can notify the operator of a failed or malfunction interlock. A created control system program can provide historical data to an operator interface to for the purpose of documenting which interlocks were verified by the control system and which had initiated a shutdown of the process. The technical solution of the present invention provides the earliest detection of a failed or compromised interlock.

Configurable binary circuits for use in electrical power systems may include an input/output port, a binary input subsystem for receiving a binary input signal, a binary output subsystem for transmitting a binary output signal, and a switch subsystem for selecting one of the binary input subsystem or the binary output subsystem for operation. Intelligent electronic devices (IEDs) and associated methods may include one or more configurable binary circuits.