What are marine computers?
How Are They Certified?
A marine computer is typically certified by the IEC 60945 standard which covers maritime navigation and radio communication equipment and systems, and the ABS Type Approval which covers safety systems and equipment on marine vessels.
To receive certification, marine computers must provide protection against:
• Extremely high temperatures, including both dry heat and damp heat.
• Extremely low temperatures which may range to well below freezing.
• Strong vibration from wave slamming and propeller vibrations.
• Corrosion from humidity and salt mist exposure.
• High voltage, including protection against accidental access to dangerous voltages.
• Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC), including susceptibility to radiated or conducted electromagnetic interference.
Additionally, marine computers are tested for acoustic noise to ensure that equipment won’t exceed noise levels that may disturb bridge operations. And equipment must not emit electromagnetic radiation from the chassis or cables that could interfere with other devices, or magnetic field radiation that could interfere with compass operations.
