What Is Marine Certification IEC/EN 60945?

The IEC/EN 60945 test standard addresses the safety of life at sea and provides general requirements for shipborne radio equipment and electronic navigation aids. It covers three main types of equipment that undergo IEC/EN 60945 testing.

The first type is shipborne radio equipment that forms part of the global maritime distress and safety system, as mandated by the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS). The second type is shipborne navigational equipment required by SOLAS.

The third type of equipment applies specifically to EMC testing. It includes all other bridge-mounted equipment in close proximity to receiving antennas and equipment capable of interfering with the safe navigation of the ship and radio communications.

The IEC/EN 60945 testing standard specifies the minimum performance requirements and testing methods. It also outlines the required test results that must be provided by an EN 60945 test lab.

Durability and Resistance to Environmental Conditions

Prior to testing, the EUT should be visually inspected. After inspection, it should be preconditioned and mechanically and electrically checked. The requirements are spelt out in the IEC/EN-60945 test spec.

All tests shall be carried out with the EUT in its normal operational configuration. This includes mounting and supports, and with all mechanical arrangements secure.

Dry Heat Test

Dry heat testing is a crucial storage test that applies to various types of equipment, including portable, exposed, and submerged devices. This test replicates the impact of temperature stress on equipment while it is in a non-operating state. The maximum temperature typically encountered during this test is +70 °C. It encompasses equipment located in enclosed spaces on ships and equipment exposed to the full intensity of solar radiation in ports. Proper dry heat testing ensures the durability and performance of equipment in challenging environmental conditions.

Dry Heat Functional Test

This test is applicable to a wide range of equipment, including portable, protected, and exposed devices. It assesses the equipment’s capability to operate effectively under high ambient temperatures and withstand temperature fluctuations. When considering sea conditions, the expected maximum air temperature reaches +32 °C. Additionally, the maximum solar gain at sea is +23 °C, resulting in a total expected maximum temperature of +55 °C for ships navigating the open waters. By subjecting equipment to this test, its performance and reliability can be evaluated under the most challenging temperature conditions encountered at sea.

Damp Heat Test

Damp heat testing is essential for evaluating the performance of portable, protected, and exposed equipment under high humidity conditions. This test assesses the equipment’s ability to operate effectively in environments with elevated moisture levels. The test involves a single cycle with an upper temperature limit of +40 °C, which represents the maximum temperature encountered in the Earth’s surface atmosphere with a relative humidity of 95%. By subjecting equipment to damp heat testing, its resilience and reliability under high humidity conditions can be determined, ensuring its suitability for use in such environments.

Low Temperature Test

Low temperature testing is a crucial storage test specifically designed for portable equipment. This test replicates the impact of temperature stress on equipment while it is in a non-operating state. The focus on portable equipment stems from the critical need for emergency equipment to function correctly even after extended periods of non-operation. By subjecting portable equipment to low temperature testing, its ability to withstand and perform reliably under cold conditions can be assessed, ensuring its effectiveness and readiness during emergencies.

Low Temperature Functional Test

Functional tests are conducted to assess the operational capability of equipment under low temperature conditions. These tests evaluate the equipment’s ability to function effectively and initiate startup procedures in environments with low ambient temperatures. By subjecting equipment to functional tests at low temperatures, its performance and reliability in cold conditions can be verified, ensuring its suitability for use in such environments.

Thermal Shock Test

Thermal shock testing is a critical evaluation conducted on portable equipment. This test is specifically designed to assess the equipment’s capability to operate properly following sudden immersion in water after being stored at high temperatures. By subjecting portable equipment to thermal shock testing, its resilience and ability to function correctly under extreme temperature changes can be determined, ensuring its reliability and performance in real-world scenarios.

Drop Test

Drop testing is a critical evaluation conducted on portable equipment, specifically focusing on the impact resistance of the equipment. This test involves dropping the unit onto a hard surface to simulate the effects of mishandling and free fall onto a ship’s deck. Drop testing is primarily applicable to portable VHF radios, as they are more prone to mishandling incidents. By subjecting portable equipment to drop testing, its durability and ability to withstand accidental drops and mishandling can be assessed, ensuring its reliability in demanding environments.

Drop into Water Test

Drop into water testing is a crucial evaluation that replicates the impact of equipment free-falling into the sea from a ship’s deck, typically from a height of 20 meters. This test is specifically applicable to portable equipment that requires deployment in such a manner. However, it is not applicable to portable VHF radios as they do not have a floating requirement. Drop into water testing is one of several ingress protection tests associated with this standard, ensuring that equipment can withstand and function properly after immersion in water. By subjecting equipment to this test, its durability and ability to withstand water ingress can be assessed, ensuring its reliability in marine environments.

Vibration Test

Vibration testing is conducted to assess the equipment’s ability to withstand vibrations without experiencing mechanical weaknesses or performance degradation. This test replicates the vibrations induced in a ship’s hull by its propeller and machinery. Vibration testing typically involves frequencies of up to 13 Hz, with a predominant vertical direction.

Furthermore, tests at higher frequencies simulate the effect of slamming, which occurs in irregular stormy seas and is predominantly horizontal. However, this test does not simulate the effect of regular seas, including translational components such as surging, swaying, and heaving, as well as rotational components like rolling, pitching, and yawing. These regular sea movements generally produce accelerations that are too small to have a significant impact on electronic equipment.

By subjecting equipment to vibration testing at different frequencies, its ability to withstand various types of vibrations experienced at sea can be evaluated, ensuring its durability and reliability in marine environments.

Rain Test

Rain testing is conducted on exposed equipment to assess its ability to withstand the effects of rain, sea spray, and light-breaking seas. This test specifically applies to exposed equipment mounted above deck level, such as antennas. However, it is not applicable to portable equipment, as they are subject to a more rigorous immersion test. The IP code test for rain only pertains to exposed equipment, ensuring their durability and resistance to water ingress in maritime environments. By subjecting equipment to rain testing, its ability to maintain optimal performance and protect against moisture-related damage can be verified.

Immersion Test

Immersion testing applies to different types of equipment in different ways.

Submerged Equipment

The immersion test for submerged equipment is designed to replicate the impact of water pressure on equipment that is intended for permanent mounting underwater. This test assesses the equipment’s ability to withstand the effects of water pressure and maintain its functionality and integrity in submerged conditions. By subjecting the equipment to the immersion test, its durability and suitability for underwater applications can be evaluated, ensuring reliable performance in challenging aquatic environments.

Portable Equipment

The immersion test for portable equipment replicates the impact of water pressure on devices that may be required to float freely in the event of a sinking ship. This test assesses the equipment’s ability to withstand water pressure and maintain its functionality and buoyancy in emergency situations. By subjecting portable equipment to the immersion test, its reliability and effectiveness in floating and functioning properly when immersed in water can be evaluated, ensuring its suitability for use in maritime safety scenarios.

Portable Equipment that might experience temporary immersion

Occasionally, equipment may encounter situations where it is temporarily submerged. In such cases, this test simulates the effects of water pressure specifically on VHF portable radio equipment. While this equipment is not designed to float, it may experience temporary immersion when attached to a survivor. The test evaluates the equipment’s ability to withstand water pressure during such temporary submersion and ensures its functionality and reliability in challenging scenarios. By subjecting VHF portable radio equipment to this test, its performance and durability in temporary immersion situations can be assessed, ensuring its effectiveness in critical survival situations.

Solar Radiation Test

Solar radiation testing is conducted on portable equipment to assess its ability to withstand the effects of continuous exposure to solar radiation. This test specifically applies to equipment that is intended to be mounted above deck levels and exposed to the weather. By subjecting the equipment to solar radiation testing, its resilience and performance under prolonged exposure to sunlight can be evaluated, ensuring its durability and reliability in outdoor maritime environments.

Oil Resistance Test

Oil resistance testing is conducted on portable equipment to evaluate its ability to withstand the effects of mineral oil exposure. This test specifically assesses the equipment’s resilience and performance when subjected to mineral oil. By simulating the effects of mineral oil on the equipment, its resistance to oil-related degradation and potential damage can be determined, ensuring its durability and reliability in environments where mineral oil exposure may occur.

Corrosion Test

The corrosion testing or salt-mist testing applies to all equipment categories. The salt fog test determines the ability of an equipment to be exposed to a salt laden atmosphere without physical degradation. The cyclic nature of the test produces an acceleration of effects compared with service conditions.

Corrosion testing, also known as salt-mist testing, is applicable to all categories of equipment. This test assesses the equipment’s ability to withstand exposure to a salt-laden atmosphere without experiencing physical degradation. The salt fog test, being cyclic in nature, accelerates the effects compared to regular service conditions. By subjecting the equipment to corrosion testing, its resistance to corrosion and durability in environments with high salt content can be evaluated, ensuring its reliability and performance in challenging conditions.

Unwanted Electromagnetic Emission Testing

During the process of measuring undesired electromagnetic emissions, it is important for the Equipment Under Test (EUT) to operate under normal test conditions. The controls that have the potential to affect the level of conducted or radiated emissions should be adjusted in different settings to determine the highest emission level.

If the EUT has multiple states of operation, such as operate or standby modes, it is necessary to identify the state that produces the maximum emission level. Complete measurements should be conducted for that specific state. If the EUT is equipped with an antenna connection, it should be connected to a non-radiating artificial antenna.

In the case of equipment that includes a transmitter operating within the measurement bands, it should be in the operational state but not in the transmitting state during radiated emission tests. The specific connections between the EUT and the external electromagnetic environment are commonly referred to as ports. These ports represent the physical boundaries of the EUT, through which electromagnetic fields may radiate or impinge on the enclosure.

Conducted Emissions Test

Conducted emissions testing is applicable to all equipment categories except portable devices. This EMC test evaluates signals produced by equipment that manifest on its power supply port and have the potential to be conducted into the ship’s power supply, potentially causing interference with other equipment.

Radiated Emissions Test from Enclosure Port Test

Radiated emissions testing is conducted for all equipment categories, with the exception of submerged devices. This EMC immunity test evaluates signals emitted by equipment (excluding those transmitted through an antenna) that have the potential to disrupt other equipment on the ship, including radio receivers.

Immunity to Electromagnetic Environment

For conducting these tests, the Equipment Under Test (EUT) should maintain its regular operational configuration, mounting, and grounding arrangements, unless specified otherwise, while operating under normal test conditions. The interfaces between the EUT and the external electromagnetic environment are commonly known as ports. These ports represent the physical boundaries of the EUT through which electromagnetic fields may radiate or impinge upon the enclosure.

Differential tests involve applying measurements between electrical power, signal, and control lines. On the other hand, common mode tests are performed between groups of lines and a common reference, typically the earth.

Immunity to Conducted Low-Frequency Interference Test

The conducted low-frequency interference testing for immunity applies to all equipment categories except portable devices. This test is designed to simulate the impact of power supply harmonics on AC supplies and alternator ripple on DC supplies. However, it is not applicable to Equipment Under Test (EUT) that is specifically intended to operate from battery power sources.

Immunity to Conducted Radio Frequency Interference Test

The conducted radio frequency interference testing for immunity is applicable to all equipment categories except portable devices. This conducted immunity EMC test replicates the impact of disturbances induced in power, signal, and control lines caused by various sources such as switching power supplies, engine ignition noise, echo sounders, and radio transmitters on ships. The test covers frequencies below 80 MHz.

Immunity to Radiated Radiofrequencies Test

The radiated radiofrequency immunity testing applies to all equipment categories except submerged devices. This test is designed to assess the equipment’s immunity to the effects of radio transmitters operating at frequencies above 80 MHz, such as the ship’s VHF transmitter and hand-held portable radios, when located in close proximity to the equipment.

Immunity to Fast Transients on A.C. Power, Signal and Control Lines Test

The immunity testing for fast transients on AC power, signal, and control lines is applicable to all equipment categories except portable devices. This radiated immunity EMC test is designed to simulate the occurrence of fast, low-energy transients generated by equipment switching, which can result in arcing at contacts.

Immunity to Surges on A.C. Power Lines Test

The surge immunity testing for AC power lines applies to all equipment categories except portable devices. This test is conducted to simulate the effects of slow, high-energy surges generated by thyristor switching on AC power supplies

Immunity to Power Supply Short-Term Variation Test

The power supply short-term variation immunity testing is applicable to all equipment categories except portable devices. This power immunity test is conducted to simulate power supply variations caused by significant changes in load. It complements the tests conducted under permanent power supply variation in extreme test conditions. It’s important to note that this test does not apply to equipment powered by DC sources.

Immunity to Power Supply Failure Test

The power supply failure immunity testing is applicable to all equipment categories except portable devices. This EMC/EMI test is designed to simulate brief interruptions in the ship’s power supply caused by power supply changeover and breaker drop-out. However, this test does not apply to the Equipment Under Test (EUT) that is intended to operate from battery power sources or is equipped with backup batteries. It covers the interruption duration permitted by the International Maritime Organization’s Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Convention for transitioning between main and emergency power supplies.

Immunity to Electrostatic Discharge Test

The electrostatic discharge (ESD) immunity testing applies to all equipment categories except submerged devices. This ESD immunity test is conducted to simulate the impact of electrostatic discharges that may originate from personnel in environments where they can accumulate static charge. Such environments include contact with artificial fiber carpets or vinyl garments.

Special Purpose Tests:

Acoustic Noise and Signals Test

The acoustic noise and signals testing are applicable to all equipment intended for installation in wheelhouses and bridge wings. This test measures the acoustic noise produced by the equipment, ensuring that it does not contribute to excessive background noise that could interfere with communication or audible warnings. Additionally, the test measures the signal alarm level generated by the equipment to ensure it meets the required standards.

Compass Safe Distance Test

The Compass safe distance is applicable to all equipment categories except submerged devices. This test establishes the distances at which equipment will not cause an unacceptable deviation of the ship’s standard and steering compasses. The actual deviation can vary based on the strength of the Earth’s magnetic field in different parts of the world. In general, the deviation is around 0.10° for the standard compass and 0.3° for the steering compass in equatorial regions. However, in high latitudes, the deviation increases to approximately 1° for the standard compass and 3° for the steering compass.