IEC TR 60092-370:2019

Overview

IEC TR 60092-370:2019 - "Electrical installations in ships - Part 370" - is a technical report from the IEC that provides guidance for the selection and installation of telecommunication, data transfer and radio‑frequency cables for shipboard and offshore units. It covers cables used for essential and non‑essential analogue or digital signal communication and control networks, including types suitable for high‑frequency signals. Notable updates in the 2019 edition include the addition of 30 V AC as a voltage rating for data cables.

Important exclusions: this report does not cover fibre‑optic cables, sub‑sea/umbilical cables, or cables intended to provide limited circuit integrity (fire‑resistant circuit integrity). It also notes these cables are not suitable for direct connection to low‑impedance power supplies (see IEC 60092-353 for such requirements).

Key topics

• Selection criteria: guidance on choosing cables appropriate for marine environments, considering mechanical stress, vibration, temperature and service conditions.
• Constructional considerations: conductor types (circular copper - plain or metal‑coated; stranded preferred), insulation materials, screens/shields, outer sheaths, metallic coverings and armour. References include IEC 60228 for conductor properties.
• Electrical characteristics: voltage ratings (including the 30 V AC update), current ratings and thermal considerations for data and RF cables.
• Mechanical requirements: conductor sizing, bend radius, tensile stress, compression and resistance to mechanical damage during installation and service.
• Electromagnetic compatibility: guidance on screening and measures to reduce electromagnetic interference (EMI) in shipboard signal systems.
• Installation practices: terminations, joints, marking and selection of appropriate tests (Annex A provides a table of tests).
• Fire performance: discussion of limitations and considerations where cable reaction to fire and system resilience are relevant.

Applications

• Shipboard telecommunication networks (analogue and digital)
• Onboard data transfer for control and monitoring systems
• Radio‑frequency cabling for communication and navigation equipment
• Offshore unit signal and instrumentation installations where marine‑grade cable selection is required

Who should use this standard

• Marine electrical engineers and designers
• Shipbuilders and offshore platform contractors
• Cable manufacturers and suppliers developing marine signal/RF cables
• System integrators installing onboard communication and data networks
• Classification societies and regulatory compliance teams

Related standards

• IEC 60092 series (general shipboard electrical installations)
• IEC 60092‑350 (power, control and instrumentation cable construction and test methods)
• IEC 60092‑353 (requirements for cables directly connected to low‑impedance supplies)
• IEC 60228 (conductor properties), IEC 60189 and IEC 60096 series (relevant cable product standards)

Keywords: IEC TR 60092-370, shipboard cables, telecommunication cables, data transfer cables, radio‑frequency cables, marine cable selection, cable installation ships, marine data cables.