IEC 60092-352:2005

Overview

IEC 60092-352:2005 - “Electrical installations in ships - Part 352: Choice and installation of electrical cables” sets out the basic requirements for selecting and installing cables for fixed shipboard electrical systems at voltages up to and including 15 kV. It covers cables exposed to ship motion and vibration but excludes cables intended for frequent flexing (those are covered by IEC 60227 and IEC 60245). The standard is part of the IEC 60092 series for shipboard electrical installations and aligns cable selection with marine operating, safety and fire-performance requirements.

Key topics

• Scope and cable types: guidance on appropriate cable types and construction for fixed shipboard use (power, control, instrumentation).
• Voltage rating and insulation: selection criteria for systems up to 15 kV, including insulation materials (references to EPR and XLPE developments via IEC 60092-351).
• Conductor sizing and current carrying capacity: tables and methods for choosing conductor cross-sectional area, continuous and intermittent ratings, and correction factors for groupings and ambient temperature.
• Voltage drop & lighting load estimation: procedures to calculate acceptable voltage drop and to size lighting circuits.
• Short‑circuit withstand and earthing: selection to ensure sufficient short‑circuit capacity and correct sizes for earth continuity and equipment earthing conductors.
• Mechanical and environmental installation rules: bending radii, supports, fixing, protection against mechanical damage, tensile stress, EMI considerations and installation in conduits, ducts, battery compartments and refrigerated spaces.
• Fire performance & penetrations: fire‑resistant installation practices, fire stops for bulkhead/deck penetrations, and guidance on limiting flame spread.
• Terminations, joints and splicing: approved practices for cable ends, joints, tappings and joint boxes.
• Annexed data: tabulated current carrying capacities, correction factors, fire stop guidance and splicing recommendations.

Applications

IEC 60092-352 is intended for:

• Ship designers and naval architects specifying power distribution and cable routing.
• Marine electrical engineers and shipbuilders implementing cable installations.
• Classification societies and inspectors assessing compliance with ship electrical standards.
• Cable manufacturers and suppliers creating shipboard cable solutions.
• Offshore-platform electrical teams and ship repair yards planning retrofits or maintenance.

Practical use cases include choosing cable types for main switchboards, distribution feeders, propulsion and auxiliary systems, specifying bending radii and supports during installation, and verifying earthing/short‑circuit capability.

Related standards

• IEC 60092 series (e.g., Parts 350, 351, 353, 354, 359, 376, 401)
• IEC 60227 and IEC 60245 (cables for frequent flexing)
• Other IEC shipboard parts referenced for system design, testing and materials

Keywords: IEC 60092-352, electrical installations in ships, shipboard cables, cable installation, marine cable selection, current carrying capacity, cable fire performance, bending radius, cable joints.