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INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 25862

Second edition
2019-07

Ships and marine technology —

Marine magnetic compasses, binnacles
and azimuth reading devices
Navires et structures maritimes — Compas magnétiques marins,
habitacles et alidades

Reference number
ISO 25862:2019(E)

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ISO 25862:2019(E)


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Published in Switzerland

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ISO 25862:2019(E)


Contents Page

Foreword...........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................v
1 Scope.................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 1
2 Normative references....................................................................................................................................................................................... 1
3 Terms and definitions...................................................................................................................................................................................... 2
4 Magnetic compasses.......................................................................................................................................................................................... 2
4.1 General............................................................................................................................................................................................................ 2
4.1.1 Class A magnetic compass........................................................................................................................................ 2
4.1.2 Class B magnetic compass........................................................................................................................................ 2
4.2 Construction and materials........................................................................................................................................................... 3
4.2.1 Magnetic material............................................................................................................................................................ 3
4.2.2 Lubber mark......................................................................................................................................................................... 3
4.2.3 Position of the card (class A only)...................................................................................................................... 3
4.2.4 Angle of gimbal axes and intersection of vertical planes passing through them...... 3
4.2.5 Thickness of the top glass cover (class A only)...................................................................................... 3
4.2.6 Constructional condition within the temperature range............................................................... 3
4.2.7 Horizontal position......................................................................................................................................................... 4
4.3 Mounting....................................................................................................................................................................................................... 4
4.3.1 Tilt of supporting device............................................................................................................................................ 4
4.3.2 Freedom of the compass card with no supporting gimbal........................................................... 4
4.4 Directional system................................................................................................................................................................................ 4
4.4.1 Moment of inertia............................................................................................................................................................ 4
4.4.2 Suspension (class A only).......................................................................................................................................... 4
4.4.3 Magnetic moment............................................................................................................................................................ 4
4.4.4 Settling time.......................................................................................................................................................................... 5
4.4.5 Tilt of the directional system with regard to the vertical field (class A only).............. 5
4.4.6 Supporting force (class A only)............................................................................................................................ 6
4.5 Compass card............................................................................................................................................................................................ 6
4.5.1 Graduation.............................................................................................................................................................................. 6
4.5.2 Diameter of the card...................................................................................................................................................... 6
4.5.3 Readability............................................................................................................................................................................. 6
4.5.4 Bearing compasses......................................................................................................................................................... 7
4.6 Accuracy......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 7
4.6.1 Directional error............................................................................................................................................................... 7
4.6.2 Error of lubber marks................................................................................................................................................... 7
4.6.3 Error due to friction....................................................................................................................................................... 7
4.6.4 Swirl error.............................................................................................................................................................................. 8
4.6.5 Induction error (class A only)............................................................................................................................... 8
4.6.6 Mounting error of azimuth reading device................................................................................................ 8
4.6.7 Error due to eccentricity of the verge ring (class A only)............................................................. 8
4.7 Environmental conditions tests of magnetic compasses (class A only)................................................. 8
5 Binnacles....................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 9
5.1 General............................................................................................................................................................................................................ 9
5.2 Binnacle type A1..................................................................................................................................................................................... 9
5.2.1 General...................................................................................................................................................................................... 9
5.2.2 Construction and materials..................................................................................................................................... 9
5.2.3 Provision for correction of deviation (if combined with class B compasses).............. 9
5.2.4 Accuracy of fore and aft marks.......................................................................................................................... 11
5.2.5 Illumination........................................................................................................................................................................ 11
5.2.6 Environmental conditions requirements (class A only).............................................................. 11
5.3 Binnacle type A2.................................................................................................................................................................................. 11
5.3.1 General................................................................................................................................................................................... 11
5.3.2 Construction and materials.................................................................................................................................. 11
5.3.3 Provision for correction of deviation........................................................................................................... 11

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ISO 25862:2019(E)


5.3.4 Accuracy of fore and aft marks.......................................................................................................................... 12

5.3.5 Illumination........................................................................................................................................................................ 13
5.3.6 Environmental conditions requirements (class A only).............................................................. 13
6 Azimuth reading devices............................................................................................................................................................................13
6.1 General......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 13
6.2 Azimuth sight......................................................................................................................................................................................... 13
6.3 Azimuth reading devices with vanes................................................................................................................................. 13
6.4 Level............................................................................................................................................................................................................... 13
7 Marking........................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 13
8 Designation..............................................................................................................................................................................................................14
Annex A (normative) Testing and certification of marine magnetic compasses, binnacles
and azimuth reading devices — General requirements............................................................................................15
Annex B (normative) Testing and certification of marine magnetic compasses..................................................17
Annex C (normative) Testing and certification of azimuth reading devices.............................................................27
Annex D (normative) Type-testing and certification of binnacles......................................................................................32
Annex E (normative) Positioning of magnetic compasses in ships....................................................................................40
Annex F (normative) Determination of safe distances....................................................................................................................45
Annex G (normative) Adjustment of magnetic compass deviation.....................................................................................46
Annex H (normative) Requirements of magnetic compass for lifeboats/rescue boats................................48
Bibliography.............................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 49

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ISO 25862:2019(E)


Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out
through ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical
committee has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International
organizations, governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work.
ISO collaborates closely with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of
electrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are
described in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular the different approval criteria needed for the
different types of ISO documents should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the
editorial rules of the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www​.iso​.org/directives).
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights. Details of
any patent rights identified during the development of the document will be in the Introduction and/or
on the ISO list of patent declarations received (see www​.iso​.org/patents).
Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not
constitute an endorsement.
For an explanation of the voluntary nature of standards, the meaning of ISO specific terms and
expressions related to conformity assessment, as well as information about ISO's adherence to the
World Trade Organization (WTO) principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), see www​.iso​
.org/iso/foreword​.html.
This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 8, Ships and marine technology,
Subcommittee SC 6, Navigation and ship operations.
This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition (ISO 25862:2009), which has been technically
revised.
The main changes compared to the previous edition are as follows:
— Clause 1: an overview of the annexes was added.
— Clause 2: moved IMO Resolution A. 382 (X) to the Bibliography.
— Clause 3: 3.4 and 3.5 were added.
— Clause  4: 4.1 was added. The temperature range of Class B magnetic compasses was changed to
“−30  °C to +60  °C” (4.2.6). The magnetic moment of Class B magnetic compasses was added to
Figure 1. Table 2 was updated (Equal interval of the graduation of Class B magnetic compasses was
changed to “1°, 2°, 2,5° or 5°”. Card numbered of Class B magnetic compasses was changed to “Every
30° or every 10°”.) and 4.7 was updated.
— Clause 5: 5.1, 5.2.1, and 5.3.1 were added. 5.2.6 and 5.3.6 were updated.
— Clause 6: 6.1 was added.
— Annex D: D.2.4.1 and D.2.6.1 were added.
— Annex H: H.2.1 was added.
— Bibliography: IMO Resolution A. 382 (X) and EN 166 were added.
Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found at www​.iso​.org/members​.html.

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INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 25862:2019(E)

Ships and marine technology — Marine magnetic

compasses, binnacles and azimuth reading devices

1 Scope
This document specifies requirements for the construction and performance of marine magnetic
compasses for navigation and steering purposes, binnacles and azimuth reading devices.
Two types of binnacle are specified; the appropriate type for a given vessel is determined by the design
of the ship (see Clause 5).
This document applies to liquid-filled magnetic compasses:
— intended for use in ship's navigation and steering in sea navigation;
— having a direct reading system; and
— which can be of the reflecting, projecting or transmitting types.
In the context of this document, a magnetic compass is an instrument consisting of a directional system
supported by a single pivot inside a bowl that is completely filled with liquid and supported by gimbals
inside or outside the bowl. However, this document also addresses compasses without gimbals; the
requirements relating to gimbals do not apply to such compasses.
This document applies to magnetic compasses carried on board:
a) all ships required to carry a standard compass as per SOLAS Chapter V, the Class  A magnetic
compass;
b) lifeboats and rescue boats as per the IMO Lifesaving Appliances (LSA) Code, fitted with the Class B
magnetic compass; and
c) all ships to which a) and b) above do not apply, but which are fitted with a Class A or B magnetic
compass.
This document does not apply to:
a) dry card compasses;
b) types of compass designed on principles different from those stated above or not complying with
the descriptions given; or
c) hand bearing compasses.
The requirements for the testing and certification of marine magnetic compasses, azimuth reading
devices and binnacles are given in Annexes A, B, C, and D. The requirements for the positioning in ships,
the determination of safe distances and the deviation adjustment of compasses are given in Annexes E,
F and G, respectively. The special requirements of the magnetic compass for lifeboats/rescue boats are
given in Annex H.

2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO 1069, Magnetic compasses and binnacles for sea navigation — Vocabulary

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ISO 25862:2019(E)


lEC  60945, Maritime navigation and radiocommunication equipment and systems — General
requirements — Methods of testing and required test results

3 Terms and definitions

For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in ISO 1069 and the following apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminological databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https:​//www​.iso​.org/obp
— IEC Electropedia: available at http:​//www​.electropedia​.org/
3.1
magnetic control sensor
sensor using the geomagnetic field for feeding an automatic heading-control system, or controlling an
off-course alarm unit, or feeding other devices
3.2
minimum distance
distance measured between the nearest point of magnetic material which is part of the ship's structure
and the centre of the compass
Note 1 to entry: The minimum distance for a standard compass is given in Figure E.1 and for a steering compass
is given in Figure E.2.

3.3
safe distance
distance measured between the nearest point of the item concerned and the centre of the compass
Note 1 to entry: The safe distance is determined as specified in Annex F.

3.4
settling time
time taken to return finally to within ±1° of the magnetic meridian after an initial deflection of 90°
from that meridian
3.5
pelorus
device used for taking bearings of distant objects or the sun, which are obscured from view at the
compass position and whose altitudes are between 5° below and 30° above the horizontal

4 Magnetic compasses

4.1 General

4.1.1 Class A magnetic compass

— intended for ship's navigation and steering purposes in sea navigation;

— liquid-filled magnetic compass, with or without gimbals; and
— having a direct reading system, which can be of the reflecting, projecting or transmitting types.

4.1.2 Class B magnetic compass

— intended for sea navigation on board ships for "restricted service, lifeboats or rescue boats";
— liquid-filled magnetic compasses, with or without gimbals; and

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ISO 25862:2019(E)


— having a direct reading system; which can be of the reflecting, projecting or transmitting types.

4.2 Construction and materials

4.2.1 Magnetic material

The magnets used in the directional systems of magnetic compasses shall be of a suitable magnetic
material having a high remanence and coercivity of at least 18 kA/m. All other fixtures used in magnetic
compasses, other than transmitting compasses, shall be made of non-magnetic material.

4.2.2 Lubber mark

In class  A compasses, the distance between the lubber mark and the outer edge of the card shall be
between 1,5 mm and 3,0 mm for direct reading and reflecting types and between 0,5 mm and 1,5 mm
for projecting compasses. The width of the lubber mark shall not be greater than 0,5° of the graduation
of the card.
In class B compasses, the compass shall be fitted with at least one lubber mark, indicating the direction
of the ships head (the main lubber mark). Additional lubber marks are permissible.
The lubber mark shall be of such design as to allow the compass to be read from the steering position
when the bowl is tilted 10° in the case of a gimbal compass or 30° in other cases.

4.2.3 Position of the card (class A only)

When the verge ring and the seating for the azimuth reading device are both horizontal, the graduated
edge of the card, the lubber mark if a point, the pivot point and the outer gimbal axis shall lie within
1 mm of the horizontal plane passing through the gimbal axis fixed to the bowl.

4.2.4 Angle of gimbal axes and intersection of vertical planes passing through them

The angle formed by the outer and inner gimbal axes shall be of the values given in Table 1. The vertical
planes through the gimbal axes shall intersect to within 1 mm of the pivot point. Any end play shall not
cause these tolerances to be exceeded.

Table 1 — Angle of gimbal axes

Magnetic compasses Angle of gimbal axes
Class A (90 ± 1)°
Class B (90 ± 2)°

The outer gimbal axis shall be in the fore and aft direction. For compasses without gimbals, which are
also covered by this document, the requirements relating to gimbals do not apply.

4.2.5 Thickness of the top glass cover (class A only)

The thickness of the top glass cover and of the bottom glass of the compass shall be not less than
4,5  mm, if non-toughened, and not less than 3,0  mm, if toughened. These values do not apply to the
thickness of the top glass in hemispherical compasses. If material other than glass is used, it shall fulfil
the requirement of B.1 d).

4.2.6 Constructional condition within the temperature range

All class A and class B compasses shall operate satisfactorily throughout the temperature range −30 °C
to +60 °C, and:
a) the liquid in the compass bowl shall remain clear and free from bubbles and neither emulsify
nor freeze;

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ISO 25862:2019(E)


b) there shall be neither inward leakage of air nor outward leakage of liquid. No bubble shall form
in a compass unless it is specially provided to compensate for expansion. A bubble provided in a
compass to compensate for expansion shall not inconvenience the functioning and reading of the
compass;
c) the internal paint shall not blister, crack or discolour appreciably;
d) the supporting force shall be such that the directional system always remains in contact with
its pivot;
e) the material of the compass card shall not distort.

4.2.7 Horizontal position

The compass bowl shall be balanced so that its verge ring or top glass cover settles within 2° of the
horizontal plane when the gimbal ring is fixed in a horizontal position; this shall be so with, or without,
an azimuth reading device or magnifying glass is in place.

4.3 Mounting

4.3.1 Tilt of supporting device

The bowl of the compass shall be mounted in such a manner that the compass cannot be dislodged
under any conditions of sea or weather and so that the verge ring remains within 2° of the horizontal
plane when the binnacle is tilted in any direction to a maximum of:
a) 40° for class A compasses, and
b) 30° for class B compasses.
The inner and outer gimbal bearings shall be of the same type.

4.3.2 Freedom of the compass card with no supporting gimbal

In compasses in which no supporting gimbal is provided, the card shall be free to move at least 30° in
all directions.

4.4 Directional system

4.4.1 Moment of inertia

The moment of inertia of the directional system shall be approximately the same about all horizontal
axes passing through the point of support on the pivot jewel.

4.4.2 Suspension (class A only)

The directional system shall be retained in position by suitable means and remain free when the bowl
is tilted 10° in any direction.

4.4.3 Magnetic moment

The magnetic moment of the magnets in the directional system shall not be less than the value given in
Figure 1.

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ISO 25862:2019(E)


Key
X    card diameter, expressed in mm
Y    magnetic moment, expressed in A·m2
   class A magnetic compass
   class B magnetic compass

Figure 1 — Magnetic moment of liquid filled compasses (minimum requirements)

4.4.4 Settling time

The settling time of a directional system shall not exceed 240/ H s at a temperature of (20 ± 3) °C,
where H is the horizontal component of the magnetic flux density in microteslas (µT) at the place of
testing.

4.4.5 Tilt of the directional system with regard to the vertical field (class A only)

The directional system shall be so constructed, or balanced in such a way, that it does not incline more
than 0,5° from the horizontal plane when the vertical flux density is zero. The inclination shall not
change by more than 3° when the vertical flux density changes by 100 μT.

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