IEC 60092-504:2016

Overview

IEC 60092-504:2016 - Electrical installations in ships - Part 504: Automation, control and instrumentation - specifies requirements for electrical, electronic and programmable equipment used for automation, control, monitoring, alert (alarm) and safety/protection systems on ships. This 2016 edition adds “Automation” to the title and incorporates corrigenda and several technical updates including new provisions for environmental type testing, fire and bilge systems, power management, computer-based systems, wireless data communication and remote access.

Keywords: IEC 60092-504:2016, electrical installations in ships, ship automation standards, marine control systems, instrumentation.

Key topics and technical requirements

• General design principles: dependability, safety, segregation, performance, usability and integration of control/automation equipment.
• Environmental type testing: new subclause 5.1 adds general requirements for type testing and environmental test parameters relevant to shipboard conditions.
• Design and construction: guidance on circuit design, power supply arrangements (independent supplies, capacity, protection), mechanical features, connectors and internal wiring.
• Installation and ergonomics: layout, compatibility, labelling, display colours, illumination, protection against leakage and condensation, and external cabling.
• Sensors and controls: requirements for sensor location, performance, testing and calibration; man–machine interface and remote controls.
• Alarm / Alert systems: terminology aligned with IMO; requirements for alarm presentation, display and supply arrangements.
• Specific systems: fire protection control installations (revised per FSS Code/MSC.98(73) and amendment MSC.292(87)), bilge systems, automatic control of electrical power supply, automatic starting of motor-driven auxiliaries, machinery control and protection systems.
• Power management: power management systems (PMS), load sharing, black-out recovery, automatic starting/stopping and disconnecting non‑essential loads.
• Computer-based systems: Clause 10 fully revised - includes requirements for software-based and programmable systems, plus new subclauses on wireless data communication (10.3.6) and remote access (10.5).

Keywords: power management systems, fire detection and alarm, bilge systems, computer-based marine systems, wireless shipboard communication.

Practical applications and users

This standard is intended for:

• Shipbuilders and naval architects specifying electrical and automation systems.
• Marine electrical and instrumentation engineers designing, testing and installing shipboard control systems.
• System integrators and OEMs of automation and marine instruments.
• Classification societies, flag administrations and ship operators verifying compliance with marine electrical and safety requirements.
• Service and maintenance teams responsible for testing, calibration and lifecycle management of ship automation and safety systems.

Related standards and regulatory alignment

IEC 60092-504:2016 aligns with and references relevant IMO Resolutions and industry requirements, including:

• IMO Resolution A.1021(26) - Code on alerts and indicators (2009)
• IMO Resolution MSC.302(87)
• IMO Resolution MSC.98(73) (FSS Code) with amendment MSC.292(87)
• IMO Resolution MSC.145(77) (water level detectors)
• IACS Req. 1991/Rev.5 (2006)

Keywords: IMO, IACS, marine safety standards, IEC ship standards.

For specification or procurement, use IEC 60092-504 together with other parts of the IEC 60092 series and ship-specific regulations to ensure full compliance for shipboard automation, control and instrumentation.