Structure
The marine environment is complex and constantly changing. During navigation, ships are exposed to wave impact, salt-spray corrosion, temperature fluctuations, and electromagnetic interference. These harsh conditions place higher demands on marine bus cables, and both cable structures and cable materials continue to be upgraded to meet increasingly stringent requirements.
Currently, the typical structure of common marine bus cables includes:
Conductor material: Stranded tinned copper / stranded copper conductors. Compared with bare copper, tinned copper offers better corrosion resistance.
Insulation material: Foam polyethylene (Foam-PE) insulation. It reduces weight while providing better insulation and electrical performance.
Shielding material: Aluminum foil shielding + tinned copper braided shielding. In certain applications, high-performance shielding materials such as copper foil mylar tape may also be used. The double-shielded structure ensures long-distance transmission with stronger electromagnetic interference resistance.
Sheath material: Low smoke halogen-free (LSZH) flame-retardant polyolefin sheath. It meets single-core flame retardance (IEC 60332-1), bundled flame retardance (IEC 60332-3-22), and low-smoke, halogen-free requirements (IEC 60754, IEC 61034), making it the mainstream sheath material for marine applications.
The above constitutes the basic structure of marine bus cables. In environments with higher requirements, additional special cable materials may be needed. For example, to meet fire-resistance requirements (IEC 60331), mica tapes such as phlogopite mica tape must be applied over the insulation layer; for enhanced mechanical protection, galvanized steel tape armor and additional sheath layers may be added.
Classification
Although the structure of marine bus cables is largely similar, their models and applications differ significantly. Common types of marine bus cables include:
1. Profibus PA
2. Profibus DP
3. CANBUS
4. RS485
5. Profinet
Generally, Profibus PA/DP are used for process automation and PLC communication; CANBUS is used for engine control and alarm systems; RS485 is used for instrumentation communication and remote I/O; Profinet is used for high-speed control systems and navigation networks.
Requirements
Marine bus cables must comply with a series of standards to ensure reliability and safety in marine environments.
Salt-spray resistance: The marine atmosphere contains high salt content, which strongly corrodes cables. Marine bus cables must provide excellent resistance to salt-spray corrosion, and cable materials must prevent long-term degradation.
Electromagnetic interference resistance: Ships contain various equipment that generate strong electromagnetic interference. Marine bus cables must have excellent EMI/RFI resistance to ensure stable signal transmission.
Vibration resistance: Ships experience continuous vibration due to wave impact. Marine bus cables must maintain good vibration resistance, ensuring structural integrity.
High and low temperature resistance: Marine bus cables must operate reliably under extreme temperatures. Typical material requirements specify an operating temperature range of −40°C to +70°C.
Flame retardance: In the event of a fire, burning cables can generate heavy smoke and toxic gases, endangering crew safety. Marine bus cable sheaths must use LSZH materials and comply with IEC 60332-1 single-core flame retardance, IEC 60332-3-22 bundled flame retardance, and IEC 60754-1/2 and IEC 61034-1/2 low-smoke, halogen-free requirements.
As industry standards become more stringent, classification society certification has become an increasingly important performance indicator. Many marine projects require cables to obtain certifications such as DNV, ABS, or CCS.
About us
ONE WORLD focuses on the research, development, and supply of materials required for marine bus cables. Our main products include tinned copper conductors, Foam-PE insulation materials, aluminum foil shielding, tinned copper braiding, copper foil Mylar tape, LSZH flame-retardant polyolefin sheaths, phlogopite mica tape, and galvanized steel tape armor. We are committed to providing cable manufacturers with material solutions that meet marine-grade standards, ensuring long-term stable operation of bus cables under complex ocean conditions.
Post time: Nov-25-2025