IEC 60945:2002

Overview

IEC 60945:2002 is the international IEC standard specifying general requirements, test methods and required test results for maritime navigation and radiocommunication equipment and systems. It defines minimum performance and environmental, electrical and electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) requirements applicable to shipborne radio and navigational equipment, and - for EMC - to other bridge‑mounted and antenna‑near equipment that could affect safe navigation or radiocommunications. The published fourth edition (2002) includes the April 2008 corrigendum updating normative references (notably CISPR 16 parts) without changing technical content.

Key Topics and Requirements

IEC 60945 covers a comprehensive set of technical topics and verifiable tests, including:

• General performance and design requirements for reliability, marking, manuals and maintenance.
• Power supply tests: extreme variations, short‑term transients and failures.
• Environmental durability: dry/damp heat, low temperature, thermal shock, vibration, shock/drop, rain/immersion, solar radiation and salt‑mist corrosion.
• Electromagnetic emission and immunity (EMC):
  • Conducted and radiated emissions limits from enclosure ports.
  • Immunity to radio‑frequency disturbances, conducted and radiated RF, fast transients (burst), surges, ESD and power disturbances.
• Operational checks: ergonomics, hardware, software and inter‑unit interfaces.
• Special tests: compass safe distance, acoustic noise and VDU emissions.
• Safety precautions against hazardous voltages, RF radiation and X‑rays.
• Test reporting: standardized test arrangements and required results (annexed test report examples).

Practical Applications and Who Uses It

IEC 60945 is used by:

• Equipment manufacturers designing shipborne radios, radar, ECDIS, AIS, GNSS receivers and other navigation/communication systems to ensure type‑approval readiness.
• Test laboratories and certification bodies performing EMC and environmental qualification and issuing compliance reports for marine type approval.
• Shipbuilders and integrators for procurement specifications and installation guidance on bridge‑mounted and antenna‑near equipment.
• Flag states, classification societies and regulators referencing the standard for safety, carriage requirements and audits.
• System architects and maritime operators to manage EMC on ships and reduce interference risks affecting safe navigation.

Benefits include consistent test methods, improved equipment interoperability, reduced onboard interference risk and clearer documentation for regulatory approval.

Related Standards

• Annex A references IMO Resolution A.694(17) (integration with IMO performance standards).
• Corrigendum updates normative references to CISPR 16 (measurement instrumentation and methods) - consult current CISPR parts for measurement techniques.
• For system‑specific or newer device classes, consult relevant IEC/IMO performance standards and later IEC editions or amendments.