IACS UR E10 Type Approval Test Specification

The “UR E10 Type Approval Test Specification” standard, developed by the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS), describes the test specifications for type approval of electrical, electronic, and programmable equipment designed for use on ships. IACS is a technical non-governmental organization that sets minimum technical requirements for the design, construction, and inspection of ships and marine installations. It covers over 90 percent of the world's cargo-carrying tonnage and focuses on improving maritime safety and environmental protection.

The IACS UR E10 standard includes standardized environmental and performance test conditions for electrical, electronic, and programmable equipment used on ships, particularly in control, monitoring, alarm, and protection systems. This standard ensures that marine equipment can operate reliably under the harsh conditions encountered at sea, including extreme temperatures, humidity, vibration, power surges, and electromagnetic interference. However, this standard is not limited to this. It applies to equipment for essential ship systems. The tests demonstrate that the tested equipment functions as intended without degradation after being subjected to the specified conditions.

The scope, sequence, and number of samples for testing are determined on a case-by-case basis, depending on the equipment's design and intended use. Equipment is typically tested in its normal installation position. Here, functional testing, unlike a full performance test, is a simplified verification that no damage has occurred.

The requirements are in compliance with the relevant IEC standards:

• IEC 60092-504 Electrical installations on ships - Control and instrumentation
• IEC 60533 Electromagnetic compatibility

Non-essential equipment that could cause electromagnetic disturbances must still pass electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) tests.

Since its initial publication in 1991, this standard has undergone numerous revisions to incorporate technological advancements, industry feedback, and alignment with international standards.

The essence of the UR E10 standard is a comprehensive test table. The basic test methods included in this standard are as follows.

• Visual inspection: Compliance with drawings and design data.
• Performance test: Under standard atmospheric conditions (25 degrees ± 10 degrees Celsius temperature, 60% ± 30% relative humidity, 96 kPa ± 10 kPa air pressure). Operation according to specifications is verified using methods such as self-monitoring and memory protection.
• External power supply failure: 3 interruptions within 5 minutes (30 seconds each). Checks for loss/restore and data corruption behavior (with additional testing during boot if applicable).
• Power supply variations include AC/DC voltage/frequency tolerances (permanent and transient), ripple, and pneumatic/hydraulic pressure variations (plus/minus 20 percent for 15 minutes).
• Dry heat: IEC 60068-2-2 standard (55 degrees or 70 degrees for 16 hours depending on equipment type). High-temperature functional testing.
• Moist heat: IEC 60068-2-30 standard (55 degrees Celsius, 95% relative humidity, 2 cycles). Includes insulation resistance measurements.
• Vibration: IEC 60068-2-6 standard. Covers typical frequency ranges and accelerations for installations on board a ship (e.g., engine room, bridge).
• Additional environmental tests include: low temperature, temperature variation, slope, and salt spray.
• Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC): Emission and immunity tests according to IEC 60533 or equivalent standard.

Other tests may include shock, ingress protection (IP), and specific tests for navigation/radio equipment according to IMO or IEC standards.

After each environmental test, a functional or performance check is usually required to verify that no degradation has occurred. Equivalent test procedures may be accepted by the relevant classification societies if they meet the UR parameters. Later versions of the referenced standards are generally acceptable if deemed equivalent.

The UR E10 standard is considered important for the following reasons:

• Safety and reliability: Ships operate in extreme environments; type-approved equipment reduces the risk of failure in critical systems.
• Classification and certification: All IACS member organizations require compliance for type approval of relevant marine products. This is often referred to in conjunction with the UR E22 (computer-based systems) and UR E27 (cyberresilience requirements) standards.
• Harmonization: By providing manufacturers with a single set of tests accepted by major classification societies, it reduces unnecessary testing.

Manufacturers typically have their equipment type-tested in accredited laboratories. Compliance is evidenced in type approval certificates that may refer to the UR E10 standard.

In short, the IACS UR E10 standard contains globally recognized requirements. This standard ensures that onboard equipment used in control, monitoring, alarm, and protection systems operates reliably in harsh marine conditions.

This standard applies to:

• Electrical and electronic equipment
• Programmable systems (PLC-based, embedded systems)
• Equipment used in the following areas:
  • Automation systems
  • Security systems
  • Alarm and monitoring systems
  • Communication systems (in some cases)

The requirement focuses on type approval, meaning the equipment must pass standardized tests before being accepted for installation on ships.

The main objectives of this standard are:

• To ensure reliability and functionality in marine environments.
• To verify resistance to environmental stressors (temperature, humidity, vibration).
• To guarantee electromagnetic compatibility (EMC).
• Harmonizing tests among classification societies

Essentially, it provides a common standard for ensuring consistent behavior of marine equipment, regardless of the ship's classification authority.

In general, this standard includes a comprehensive set of tests grouped into various core areas:

• Functional and performance tests:
  • Verification of correct operation under normal conditions.
  • Control of system behavior and self-monitoring functions.
• Environmental tests: Simulate real ship conditions such as:
  • Temperature extremes (e.g., minus 25 degrees to plus 70 degrees)
  • Humidity and humid heat
  • Salt mist (corrosion resistance)
  • Vibration and mechanical stress
  • Heeling (rocking and swaying of the ship)
• Electrical tests:
  • Power supply variations
  • Power outages
  • Insulation resistance
  • High voltage resistance
• Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) tests:
  • Conductive and radiated emissions
  • Immunity to electromagnetic disturbances.
  • Electrostatic discharge (ESD)
  • Electrical fast transients

These tests ensure that the equipment does not malfunction or interfere with other systems on board the ship.

The testing approach for this standard is based on the following:

• Simulation of real working conditions
• Verification that the equipment continues to operate:
  • During the tests (performance criterion A)
  • After the tests (performance criterion B)
• Functional checks after each environmental exposure.

The equipment is typically tested in its normal installation location to reflect actual usage.

The UR E10 standard is critically important in the maritime sector because,

• It enhances the safety of ship operations.
• It prevents equipment failure under extreme conditions.
• It ensures compatibility between the systems on board the ship.
• It ensures global acceptance of certified equipment.

Without such a unified requirement, inconsistencies in testing can lead to system failures, safety risks, and operational disruptions.

For many years, our organization, with its competent and experienced team, has been understanding the needs of its clients, providing the advanced testing services they require, and assisting them in the establishment, implementation, and improvement of management systems. Within this framework, we also provide testing services compliant with the IACS UR E10 standard.