An IMPA code of marine electrical connector is a six-digit code specified in the Marine Stores Guide MSG). The number range of IEC plug is 792751-792758, the number range of receptacle is 792761-792768, and the number of watertight brass/ resin plugs is concentrated in 792801-792886.
The supplier’s misordering of the watertight plug due to the wrong part description will cause a ship to delay for several days in the port. The IMPA code system is to prevent this situation. For people who need to purchase marine electrical connectors, IMPA code is the fastest way to eliminate purchase ambiguity.
Where IMPA Code for Marine Electrical Connectors Come From
IMPA codes come from the Marine Store Guide. The guide assigns a unique six-digit code for each shipment listed in the catalog. This coding system has been used for nearly 40 years and covers more than 50,000 items. The guide provides two forms of print and electronic versions to help buyers and suppliers accurately match goods with this code without relying on text descriptions – which is the official positioning of the guide by IMPA (impa.net).
The history of this set of coding is longer than most purchasers think. The guide was first published in the form of paper books in 1978, and its six-digit coding soon became a common standard in the industry. By 2005, the guide also launched a data license version in CSV format to facilitate the import of the procurement system. Therefore, the same code in Rotterdam’s ship parts suppliers and Singapore’s ship chandler, point to the same kind of products.
Chapter 79 “Electrical Equipment” of the “Marine Store Guide” specifically covers marine electrical connectors. Plugs, sockets, switches and cable accessories are classified according to adjacent numbers, which is convenient for purchasers to check compatible accessories when searching for codes.
IEC Plug & Receptacle Codes: 792751 to 792778
The IMPA codes 792751 to 792758 correspond to the standard IEC watertight plug series, rated from 16A to 20A, covering four voltage levels, and complying with DIN 89270, which is also the standard common to most ship fittings vendors in Asia and Europe. Multiple independent supplier directories have the same description of this number range, which can be used as a basis for cross-verification before procurement.
The complete segment is divided as follows:
| Code range | Item | Typical rating |
|---|---|---|
| 792751-792758 | IEC watertight plugs, 2P+E/3P+E | 100-460V, 16A/20A, IP56 |
| 792761-792768 | Matching IEC receptacles | 100-460V, 16A/20A, IP56 |
| 792771-792778 | IEC receptacles with switch | 100-460V, 16A, IP56 |
For example, IMPA 792751 corresponds to a plastic material, 45-degree corner, two-pole + grounding electrode 2P + E) plug, rated voltage 100-130V, current 16A/20A, in line with DIN 89270 standard. Purchasers who only search by voltage usually need to compare multiple codes at the same time, so it is equally important to confirm the pole number configuration and the plug angle as the voltage.
Anyone building a spares list for marine watertight plugs and sockets should keep this block next to the JIS-based series described below, since the two systems are not interchangeable on the same panel.
Watertight Brass and Resin Plugs: the 792801-792886 Block
IMPA 792801 is the initial code of the resin and copper watertight plug series. The US Coast Guard (USCG) specifications such as 792851 and 792852 are also located in this section. Choosing the DIN 89270 standard or JIS F8832/F8833 standard depends on the material. These codes follow the JIS F8832 and F8833 specifications and are suitable for watertight plugs and sockets with grounding contacts at rated voltages of 250 V and below.
IMPA 792851 corresponds to a ship watertight electrical plug resin or copper) in the USCG specification series, which is usually supplied with the corner plug of 792852. People who need to purchase standard accessories compatible with the U.S.Coast Guard should regard 792851 and 792852 as pairing codes, one of which is usually straight and the other is curved.
The cable connector has an independent number segment, starting from 794751. IMPA 794751 corresponds to a watertight cable connector, which is used to connect the deck or any cable exposed to rainwater, seawater or wet environment. Its internal copper structure is sealed by rubber sheath, which is described by ShipServ IMPA Code Search. This product and the panel-mounted plug above belong to different product lines, and these two segments should not be confused when writing a request for quotation RFQ).
IP Ratings and Standards Behind the IMPA Code
Just one IMPA code does not guarantee that the connector is suitable for a specific installation environment, because two products with similar numbers may also have different protection levels due to different materials and sealing ring designs. The IP56 protection level can withstand the impact of strong water spray, while the IP67 protection level can withstand short-term immersion within 1 meter of water depth). This difference determines whether the fitting should be installed on the open deck or under the rain shield.
Most of the watertight marine plugs in the IMPA list are manufactured using the DIN 89270 standard or the Japanese standard JIS F8832/F8833. Even if the two parameters seem to be close, their physical interfaces cannot be exchanged. If the DIN standard plug is used to replace the JIS standard socket, it will be found that the pin cannot be correctly connected. Therefore, when placing an order, it is not only necessary to match the voltage and current, but also to match the underlying standard number, which is a more secure procurement practice.
For deck connectors exposed to waves, the use of IP67 instead of IP56 provides practical additional protection, and the cost difference is not significant. This is also the reason why many shipyards set IP67 as the basic standard for outdoor wiring points.
IMPA 792851 corresponds to a marine watertight electrical plug in the USCG specification resin or copper series. It is usually used with the 792852 corner socket, and the voltage and rated current are the same.
IMPA 792751 is a plastic material, 45 degree corner, bipolar + grounding electrode 2P + E) IEC watertight plug, rated voltage 100-130V, current 16A/20A, in line with DIN 89270 standard, belongs to the 792751-792758 plug series.
Yes. This set of six-digit codes has become a common industry standard since it was first published in 1978.Therefore, when ordering in Europe, Asia or the Americas, the same code corresponds to the same product.
IMPA and its publishing partners are promoting the development of the guide to a digital, API-based form. The electronic version is updated according to a fixed cycle, so that the procurement system can maintain the latest data during the paper version update interval.
The IMPA code is fixed by the product category, not the manufacturer, so different manufacturers may be slightly different in the details of the cable fixing head size or shell color, but the core rating is consistent with the execution standard.
Conclusion
The IMPA code translates vague part descriptions into a six-digit code that any ship chandler in the world can immediately match. The IEC plug and socket section is from 792751 to 792778, the USCG watertight plug section is from 792801 to 792886, and the cable connector starts from 794751.
Checking the voltage, pole number, IP rating and the underlying DIN or JIS standard can avoid most common order errors. Preparing the above paragraphs can greatly speed up the procurement of spare parts.
