How to perform IEC60945 tests

(a guideline to avoid the most popular problems)

General remarks :
Is the chosen laboratory accredited for tests according to IEC60945:2002 or for tests according
to similar standards and does the scope of the laboratorys accreditation cover the performed
tests?
Define the device type of each part of the EUT carefully (portable / protected / exposed /
submerged).
Define rules for PC (performance check) and PT (performance test), if these are not defined in
the related performance standard let BSH-Cert have a glance at your definitions prior to tests.
The laboratory has to document the measuring equipment used during the tests and the
calibration status of it in its test report.
The results of the tests should also include the serial numbers and/or revisions of the EUT
(equipment under test).
For some equipment (e.g. AIS / VDR / gyro compass / navigation lights ...) additional
requirements are defined in the specific performance standards. Some of these tests
(requirements) are able to cover / fulfil the IEC60945 requirements (tests).
Perform all the tests with the same equipment (same revision / assembly) as it is presented to
BSH-Cert for the type test (not similar types or old / different versions).
If the laboratory deviates from the requirements of the IEC60945:2002 : this should be
discussed with BSH-Cert in advance and there must be a clear statement in the test report why
they have done this.
If you are not sure that your test plan fulfil the requirements : please ask BSH-Cert in advance.
For modified EUTs it might be sufficient to repeat not all tests according IEC60945. You can
discuss this with BSH-Cert.
It is sometimes not necessary to test all possible combinations of the EUT. You should order
the test for the worst case combination, maybe after a short discussion with BSH-Cert.

DEVICE TYPE : Portable a Protected b Exposed c Submerged d

Extreme power supply (7.1) AC Voltage 10 % Frequency 5 %
DC Voltage +30 % -10% Must also be performed during some of the climatic tests!
7.1 : perform these tests during the climatic tests. Use the values of voltage and frequency specified in technical manual for the
calculation of min/max values. If there is a min/max voltage definition in the manual use the min. voltage for the calculation of the min
test voltage (min AC/DC -xx%) and the max. for the calculation of the max test voltage (max AC/DC +xx%)
Excessive conditions (7.2) DC devices : reverse polarity at least for 5 min. PC after this test
7.2 : Dont forget the PC . This is the one of the most missing (forgotten) tests according IEC 60945
Dry heat (8.2) +55 C PT +55 C PT +55 C PT (storage +70 C) PC
With Extreme power with Extreme power PC with Extreme power PC with Extreme power PC
supply (storage +70 C) PC (storage +70 C) PC
8.2.2 : Switch on the device before you start this test and dont forget the PT after 10 16 h in the temperature and the extreme power
supply test (7.1) with the PC
Damp Heat (8.3) +40 C 93 % relative humidity 1 cycle PC N/A

8.3 : Switch off the device before you start, switch on after 10 16 h in the temperature and dont forget the PC
Low temperature (8.4) 20 C PT 15 C PT 25 C PT N/A
With Extreme power Extreme power PC Extreme power PC Extreme power PC
supply (storage 30 C) PC
8.4.2 : Switch off the device before you start this test , switch on the EUT after 10 16 h in the temperature and perform the PT and
the extreme power supply test (7.1) with the PC.
Thermal shock (8.5) Start 70C 1h in N/A
25C water 1h. PT
8.5 : Dont forget the test for portable equipment and perform the PT
Drop onto hard surface 6 drops from 1 m PC N/A
(8.6.1)
8.6.1 : This test is applicable only to portable VHF radios and dont forget the PC
Drop into water (8.6.2) 3 drops from 20 m PC N/A

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8.6.2 This test is not applicable to portable VHF radios. Dont forget the PC
Vibration (8.7) Sweep 2 Hz 13,2 Hz at 1 mm, 13,2 Hz 100 Hz at 7 m/s2 and for 2 h on each resonance (Q>5),
2h on one resonance / observed frequency (Q<5) , otherwise (Q=0) 2 h at 30 Hz in all three axes PC
during and after the test
8.7 : For all three axes : mounting of the device must be done in a way which is similar to the installation on the vessel. Additional
brackets are not allowed. ALL observed resonance frequencies (Q>5) must be tested for 2h after the sweep, if there are only
observed frequencies (Q<5) than the endurance test with the highest magnification for 2h, if there is no observed frequency than 2h
endurance test at 30Hz. Dont forget the PC during and after the endurance test.
Rain and spray (8.8) N/A 12,5 mm nozzle N/A
100 l/min at 3 m PC
8.8 : Dont forget the test for exposed equipment and document carefully any unwanted ingress of water. Dont forget the PC
(especially if it is not possible to open the housing of the EUT).
Water immersion (8.9) 100 kPa (1 bar) N/A 600 kPa (6 bar)
for 5 min for 12 h PC
10 kPa (0,1 bar)
for two-way VHF PC
8.9 : Dont forget the test for exposed equipment and document carefully any unwanted ingress of water. Dont forget the PC
(especially if it is not possible to open the housing of the EUT).
Solar radiation (8.10) 1120 W/m2 N/A
80 h
8.10 : A picture shows sometimes more than a simple statement.
Oil resistance (8.11) ISO Oil No. 1 N/A
24 h, 19 C
8.11 : A picture shows sometimes more than a simple statement.
Corrosion (8.12) Four periods of seven days at 40 C with 90 % 95 % relative humidity after 2 h salt spray
Or waiver
8.12 : A picture shows sometimes more than a simple statement in a the test report An option of the IEC60945 is a waiver : The
corrosion test shall be waived where the manufacturer is able to produce evidence that the components, materials and finishes
employed in the equipment would satisfy the test. . (A test for exposed equipment is recommended)
Conducted Emissions(9.2) N/A 10 kHz 150 kHz 63 mV 0,3 mV (96 dBV 50 dBV)
150 kHz 350 kHz 1 mV 0,3 mV (60 dBV 50 dBV)
350 kHz 30 MHz 0,3 mV (50 dBV
9.2 : Only applicable for power supply ports, the EUT must operate in a mode with the maximal emission .
Radiated emissions 150 kHz 300 kHz 10 mV/m 316 V/m (80 dBV/m 52 dBV/m)
(9.3) 300 kHz 30 MHz 316 V/m 50V/m (52 dBV/m 34 dBV/m) N/A
30 MHz 2 GHz 500 V/m (54 dBV/m) except for156 MHz 165
MHz 16 V/m (24 dBV/m) quasi-peak
or 32 V/m (30 dBV/m) peak
9.3 : Observe the different limits for 156 MHz 165 MHz with peak / quasi peak . The test antenna must be placed at a distance of 3 m
from the EUT. The EUT should operate with active signal and control ports. (Expecting W-LAN devices on vessels in the near future we
propose to go up to 6GHz.)
Conducted radio N/A 3 V r.m.s. e.m.f. 150 kHz 80 MHz, 10 V r.m.s. e.m.f.
frequency at specified spot frequencies.
disturbance (10.3) a.c. and d.c. power ports, signal and control ports, common mode.
Performance criterion A.
10.3 : Dont forget the signal and control ports.
Radiated disturbance (10.4) 10 V/m 80 MHz 2 GHz Enclosure port Performance criterion A N/A
10.4 : Observe the limits (Expecting W-LAN devices on vessels in the near future we propose to go up to 6GHz.)
Fast transients N/A 2 kV on a.c. power ports Performance criterion B
(bursts) (10.5) 1 kV common mode on signal and control ports
10.5 : Dont forget the signal and control ports.
Slow transients N/A 1 kV line/earth, 0,5 kV line/line AC power ports
(surges)(10.6) Performance criterion B
10.6 : Observe the limits.
Power supply short N/A 20 % voltage for 1,5 s, 10 % frequency for 5 s
term variation (10.7) AC power ports Performance criterion B
10.7 : Observe the limits . It is not required to perform this test during any environmental tests (e.g. temperature / vibration).
Power supply failure (10.8) N/A 60 s interruption a.c. and d.c. power ports Performance criterion C
10.8 : Observe the limits : three breaks in power supply of duration 60 s each.
Electrostatic 6 kV contact 8 kV air N/A
discharge (10.9) Performance criterion B
10.9 : Observe the limits and dont forget : 10 discharges shall be applied to the centre of one edge of a vertical coupling plane (VCP)
and to the ground plane (HCP),
Acoustic noise (11.1) The acoustic pressure < 60 dB(A) at a distance of 1 m. N/A
75 dB(A) < Audible alarms < 85 dB(A) at a distance of 1 m.
11.1 : Some performance standards require different limits for the acoustic noise level. Can be done at the BSH laboratory.
Compass safe distance N/A
(11.2)
11.2 : Can be done at the BSH laboratory . If needed you must place an order for this measurement.
12.1 Protection against accidental access to dangerous voltages
The purpose is to ensure safety when installed equipment is accessible.
12.1 : There are no special comments to this test. Sometimes we didnt find any evidence for this test. Mostly forgotten.
12.2 Electromagnetic radio frequency radiation
The purpose is to enable safety rules to be applied in the vicinity of radiating equipment.
12.2 : There are no special comments to this test. Sometimes we didnt find any evidence for this test.

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Combination of table 1 and table 2 of the IEC60945:2002:

Power supply (7.1)

Environmental condition Normal power supply Extreme power supply (each applied for at least 5 min)

voltage frequency

AC 10 % 5%

DC +30% -10% -

Dry heat PT Performance test Max Volt. Min Freq. = worst case
all possible 4 combinations Performance check PC
Damp heat PC Performance check

Low temperature PT Performance test Min Volt. Max Freq. = worst case
all possible 4 combinations Performance check PC
Normal temperature PT Performance test Performance test PT

Definitions of the Performance criteria (quoted from chapter 10.1 of the IEC60945:2002)
Performance criterion A:
the EUT shall continue to operate as
intended during and after the test. No
degradation of performance or loss of
function is allowed, as defined in the
relevant equipment standard and in the
technical specification published by the
manufacturer;
Performance criterion B:
the EUT shall continue to operate as
intended after the test. No degradation of
performance or loss of function is allowed,
as defined in the relevant equipment
standard and in the technical specification
published by the manufacturer. During the
test, degradation or loss of function or
performance which is self-recoverable is
however, allowed, but no change of actual
operating state or stored data is allowed.
Performance criterion C:
temporary degradation or loss of function or
performance is allowed during the test,
provided the function is self-recoverable, or
can be restored at the end of the test by the
operation of the controls, as defined in the
relevant equipment standard and in the
technical specification published by the
manufacturer.

Definitions of PC and PT (quoted from chapter 3.1.4 and 3.1.6 of the IEC60945:2002)

Its required that the results of PC / PT are documented in the test reports.

3.1.4 Performance check PC 3.1.6 Performance test PT

a short functional test carried out during or a measurement or a group of

after a technical test to confirm that the measurements carried out during or after a
equipment operates technical test to confirm that the equipment
complies with selected parameters as
defined in the equipment
standard

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