8.3.2 Initial measurements Before the conditioning, subject the specimen to the initial measurements required by the product standard.. 9.3.2 Initial measurements Before the conditionin
Object of the test
The purpose of the test is to verify that the equipment operates effectively under high ambient temperatures, which can occur briefly in the expected service conditions.
Principle
The test involves subjecting the specimen to high temperatures for a duration that ensures temperature stability, enabling functional tests and monitoring To account for self-heating effects, 'free air' conditions are simulated for specimens that dissipate heat.
Test procedure
The test apparatus and procedure shall generally be as described in EN 60068-2-2:2007
Gradual temperature change tests will be conducted, utilizing Test Bd for heat dissipating specimens as per EN 60068-2-2 standards, while Test Bb will be applied to non-heat dissipating specimens.
The dry heat operational test may be combined with the dry heat endurance test by omitting the recovery and the functional test in between
Before the conditioning, subject the specimen to the initial measurements required by the product standard
8.3.3 State of specimen during conditioning
Mount the specimen and place it in the configuration and operating condition, as specified in the product standard
Apply the appropriate severity of conditioning shown in Table 1
Table 1 – Dry heat (operational) – Conditioning
Equipment class Fixed, movable and portable
Environmental class I II & III IV
The test duration is set at 16 hours at 70 °C to assess the impact of solar heat radiation If this method is deemed unsuitable, the test will be performed at 55 °C, incorporating a simulated solar radiation test to evaluate the temperature rise during operation.
(Clause 24) shall also be applied
During the conditioning period, it is essential to monitor the specimen for any changes in status Additionally, any required measurements specified by the product standard should be conducted in the final half hour of this period.
After a recovery period of at least 1 h at standard laboratory conditions, subject the specimen to the final measurements required by the product standard
Object of the test
The object of the test is to demonstrate the ability of the equipment to withstand long term ageing effects.
Principle
The test consists of exposing the specimen to the high temperature for a long period to accelerate ageing effects.
Test procedure
The test apparatus and procedure shall generally be as described in EN 60068-2-2:2007
Use test Bb for non heat dissipating specimen
The dry heat endurance test may be combined with the dry heat operational test by omitting the recovery and the functional test in between
Before the conditioning, subject the specimen to the initial measurements required by the product standard
9.3.3 State of specimen during conditioning
Mount the specimen as specified in the product standard The specimen shall not be supplied with power during the conditioning
Apply the appropriate severity of conditioning shown in Table 2
Table 2 – Dry heat (endurance) – Conditioning
Equipment class Fixed, movable and portable
Environmental class I, II & III IV
After a recovery period of at least 1 h at standard laboratory conditions, subject the specimen to the final measurements required by the product standard
Object of the test
To demonstrate the ability of the equipment to function correctly at low ambient temperatures appropriate to the anticipated service environment.
Principle
The test involves subjecting the specimen to low temperatures for an adequate duration to achieve temperature stability, enabling functional tests and monitoring Additionally, 'free air' conditions are simulated for heat-dissipating specimens to account for self-heating effects.
Test procedure
The test apparatus and procedure shall be as described in EN 60068-2-1:2007
Gradual temperature change tests will be conducted, utilizing Test Ad for heat dissipating specimens as defined in EN 60068-2-1, and Test Ab for non-heat dissipating specimens.
Before the conditioning, subject the specimen to the initial measurements required by the product standard
10.3.3 State of specimen during conditioning
Mount the specimen and place it in the configuration and operating condition, as specified in the product standard
Apply the appropriate severity of conditioning shown in Table 3
Equipment class Fixed, movable and portable
Environmental class I II III & IV
Duration (h) 16 16 16 a This temperature is -40 °C for classes IIIA & IVA (see Clause 4)
During the conditioning period, it is essential to monitor the specimen for any changes in status Additionally, any required measurements specified by the product standard should be conducted in the final half hour of this period.
After a recovery period of at least 1 h at standard laboratory conditions, subject the specimen to the final measurements required by the product standard
Object of the test
To demonstrate the ability of portable equipment to function correctly when exposed to temperature shocks when carried back and forth between normal and cold ambient temperature.
Principle
The test consists of exposing the specimen to a succession of changes of temperature The specimen is moved from one test chamber to another.
Test procedure
The test apparatus and procedure shall generally be as described in EN 60068-2-14:2009 Test Na with rapid change of temperature, with prescribed time of transition, shall be used
Before the conditioning, subject the specimen to the initial measurements required by the product standard
11.3.3 State of specimen during conditioning
Mount the specimen and place it in the configuration and operating condition, as specified in the product standard
Apply the appropriate severity of conditioning shown in Table 4
Table 4 – Temperature change (operational) – Conditioning
Environmental class I II III & IV
Change-over time t 2 (min) 2 to 3 2 to 3 2 to 3
Number of cycles 4 4 4 a For classes IIIA & IVA (see Clause 4), make this temperature -40 °C
During the conditioning period, it is essential to monitor the specimen for any changes in status Any additional measurements required by the product standard must be taken within the first 10 minutes of both the high and low temperature conditioning phases of the final cycle.
After a recovery period of at least 1 h at standard laboratory conditions, subject the specimen to the final measurements required by the product standard
12 Damp heat, steady state (operational)
Object of the test
The purpose of the test is to verify that the equipment operates effectively in high relative humidity conditions, without condensation, which can occur briefly in its service environment.
Principle
The test consists of exposing the specimen to a constant temperature and high relative humidity in such a manner that condensation does not occur on the specimen
The period of exposure is chosen to allow surface effects due to adsorption to be identified.
Test procedure
The testing apparatus and methodology must adhere to the guidelines outlined in EN 60068-2-78:2001 It is permissible to merge the damp heat steady state operational test with the damp heat steady state endurance test by eliminating the recovery and functional tests in between.
Before the conditioning, subject the specimen to the initial measurements required by the product standard
12.3.3 State of specimen during conditioning
Mount the specimen and place it in the configuration and operating condition, as specified in the product standard
Apply the appropriate severity of conditioning shown in Table 5
Table 5 – Damp heat, steady state (operational) – Conditioning
Equipment class Fixed, movable and portable
Environmental class I II, III & IV
The damp heat cyclic operational test covers a duration of 4 days If this test is not performed, the environmental class I test should be conducted for classes II, III, and IV.
During the conditioning period, it is essential to monitor the specimen for any changes in status Additionally, any required measurements specified by the product standard should be conducted in the final half hour of this period.
After a recovery period of at least 1 h at standard laboratory conditions, subject the specimen to the final measurements required by the product standard
13 Damp heat, steady state (endurance)
Object of the test
The purpose of the test is to evaluate the equipment's resilience against prolonged humidity exposure in its operational environment, which may lead to alterations in electrical properties, moisture-related chemical reactions, and galvanic corrosion.
Principle
The test consists of exposing the specimen to a constant temperature and high relative humidity in such a manner that condensation does not occur on the specimen
A long period of exposure is chosen to allow effects due to absorption and chemical changes to take place.
Test procedure
The test apparatus and procedure shall be as described in EN 60068-2-78:2001
The damp heat steady state endurance test may be combined with the damp heat steady state operational test by omitting the recovery and the functional test in between
Before the conditioning, subject the specimen to the initial measurements required by the product standard
13.3.3 State of specimen during conditioning
Mount the specimen as specified in the product standard The specimen shall not be supplied with power during the conditioning
Apply the appropriate severity of conditioning shown in Table 6
Table 6 – Damp heat, steady state (endurance) – Conditioning
Equipment class Fixed, movable and portable
Environmental class I, II, III & IV
After a recovery period of at least 1 h at standard laboratory conditions, subject the specimen to the final measurements required by the product standard
Object of the test
The object of the test is to demonstrate the immunity of the equipment to an environment with high relative humidity, where condensation occurs on the equipment.
Principle
The test involves subjecting the specimen to cyclic temperature variations between 25 °C and a designated upper temperature of either 40 °C or 55 °C During the high-temperature phase, relative humidity is kept at (93 ± 3)%, while it remains above 80% during the low-temperature and transitional phases The temperature increase rates are designed to ensure condensation forms on the specimen's surface.
Test procedure
The test apparatus and procedure shall be as described in EN 60068-2-30:2005, using the Variant 2 test cycle and controlled recovery conditions
The damp heat cyclic operational test may be combined with the damp heat cyclic endurance test by omitting the recovery and the functional test in between
Before the conditioning, subject the specimen to the initial measurements required by the product standard
14.3.3 State of specimen during conditioning
Mount the specimen and place it in the configuration and operating condition, as specified in the product standard
Apply the appropriate severity of conditioning shown in Table 7
Table 7 – Damp heat, cyclic (operational) – Conditioning
Equipment class Fixed, movable and portable
Environmental class I II III & IV
During the conditioning period, it is essential to monitor the specimen for any changes in status Additionally, any required measurements specified by the product standard should be conducted in the final half hour of the high-temperature phase of the last cycle.
After the recovery period, subject the specimen to the final measurements required by the product standard
Object of the test
The object of the test is to demonstrate the ability of the equipment to withstand the long-term effects of high humidity and condensation.
Principle
The test consists of exposing the specimen to cyclic temperature variations between 25 °C and 55 °C
The relative humidity is kept at (93 ± 3) % during high temperature phases and remains above 80 % during low temperature and transitional phases The temperature increase rates are sufficient to cause condensation on the specimen's surface.
Test procedure
The test apparatus and procedure shall be as described in EN 60068-2-30:2005, using the Variant 2 test cycle and controlled recovery conditions
The damp heat cyclic endurance test may be combined with the damp heat cyclic operational test by omitting the recovery and the functional test in between
Before the conditioning, subject the specimen to the initial measurements required by the product standard
15.3.3 State of specimen during conditioning
Mount the specimen as specified in the product standard The specimen shall not be supplied with power during the conditioning
Apply the appropriate severity of conditioning shown in Table 8
Table 8 – Damp heat, cyclic (endurance) – Conditioning
Equipment class Fixed, movable and portable
Environmental class I & II III & IV
After the recovery period, subject the specimen to the final measurements required by the product standard
Object of the test
The object of the test is to demonstrate that the equipment is appropriately protected against the ingress of water.
Principle
The test evaluates the specimen's resistance to water through various application methods tailored to the required protection level This includes simulating falling drops at angles up to 15° from vertical, spraying water from all directions, and assessing total immersion for portable devices as specified by the manufacturer.
Test procedure
The testing apparatus and procedures must adhere to the guidelines outlined in EN 60068-2-18:2001 For dripping water, the Ra2 test procedure should be applied, while the Rb2.1 or Rb2.2 procedures are designated for spraying water Total immersion testing requires the use of the Rc1 procedure.
Before the conditioning, subject the specimen to the initial measurements required by the product standard
16.3.3 State of specimen during conditioning
Ensure the specimen is mounted in its intended orientation and operating condition as per the product standard, following the manufacturer's installation instructions Utilize any provided weather protection accessories and appropriate cables and cable glands during the installation process.
Apply the appropriate severity of conditioning shown in Table 9 or Table 10
Table 9 – Water ingress (operational) – Conditioning for fixed and movable equipment class
Equipment class Fixed and movable
Environmental class I & II III IV
Water flow / nozzle (dm 3 × min -1 ) (0,07 ± 5) %
Water flow rate (dm 3 × min -1 ) (10 ± 5) %
Similar EN 60529 classification IPX2 IPX4 a From all directions with the shield removed b 3 min per m 2 surface area with a minimum of 15 min.
Table 10 – Water ingress (operational) – Conditioning for portable equipment class
Environmental class I & II III & IV Optional a
Test procedure Ra2 Rb1.1 or Rb1.2 Rc1
Water flow / nozzle (dm 3 × min -1 ) (0,07 ± 5) %
Water flow rate (dm 3 × min -1 ) (10 ± 5) %
The EN 60529 classification includes ratings such as IPX2, IPX4, and IPX7, which indicate the device's resistance to water immersion This classification applies when the manufacturer confirms the device's capability to withstand water exposure Testing is conducted from all directions without any protective shield, with a duration of 3 minutes per square meter of surface area, and a minimum testing time of 15 minutes.
Monitor the specimen during the conditioning period to detect any change in status
After the conditioning, subject it to the final measurements required by the product standard and inspect it for any damage or water ingress
Before final measurements, any specific recovery conditions, such as specimen drying, must be outlined in the product standard Additionally, the standard should clarify whether water entry into the specimen enclosure is permissible If this is not specified, the manufacturer should indicate if water penetration is acceptable.
Object of the test
To demonstrate the ability of the equipment to withstand the corrosive effects of sulphur dioxide as an atmospheric pollutant.
Principle
The test involves subjecting the specimen to an atmosphere rich in sulphur dioxide while maintaining a constant temperature and high relative humidity It is crucial to keep the surface temperature of the specimen above the dew point; however, the presence of hygroscopic materials on the specimen or as a result of corrosive products may cause condensation to form.
Test procedure
The test apparatus and procedure shall be generally as described in EN 60068-2-42:2003, except for the relative humidity of the test atmosphere, which shall be maintained at (93 ± 3) % instead of
Before the conditioning, subject the specimen to the initial measurements required by the product standard
17.3.3 State of specimen during conditioning
Ensure the specimen is mounted according to the product standard, and do not supply power during conditioning The specimen must have untinned copper wires of the correct diameter connected to adequate terminals, enabling functional testing post-conditioning without the need for additional connections.
Apply the appropriate severity of conditioning shown in Table 11
Table 11 – Sulphur dioxide (SO 2 ) (endurance) – Conditioning
Equipment class Fixed, movable and portable
Environmental class I II III IV
Sulphur dioxide concentration (Vol/Vol)
Immediately after the conditioning, subject the specimen to a drying period of 16 h at 40 °C,
Maintain relative humidity at or below 50% for a minimum of one hour under standard laboratory conditions After this recovery period, conduct the necessary final measurements as specified by the product standard, followed by a thorough visual inspection for any mechanical damage, both externally and internally.
Object of the test
To demonstrate an adequate level of protection against corrosion for equipment exposed to the elements.
Principle
The test involves placing the specimen in its standard position and subjecting it to a designated number of salt mist spray cycles, each followed by a storage period in humid conditions.
Test procedure
The test apparatus and procedure shall comply with the requirements of EN 60068-2-52:1996
Before the conditioning, subject the specimen to the initial measurements required by the product standard
18.3.3 State of specimen during conditioning
The specimen must be installed in its designated orientation following the manufacturer's installation guidelines, utilizing any provided weather protection accessories along with the suitable cables and cable glands.
During conditioning, the specimen must not receive power It should be equipped with untinned copper wires of the correct diameter, connected to adequate terminals, enabling a functional test to be conducted post-conditioning without the need for additional connections.
Apply the appropriate severity of conditioning shown in Table 12
Table 12 – Salt mist, cyclic (endurance) – Conditioning
Equipment class Fixed, movable and portable
Environmental class I, II & III IV
Salt mist exposure: salt (NaCl) concentration (% a ) pH of salt solution
After conditioning, let the specimen cool for 1 to 2 hours under standard laboratory conditions before conducting the final measurements as per the product standard Additionally, inspect the specimen for any mechanical damage, both externally and internally.
NOTE Any special cleaning procedure(s) required before the final measurements (e.g drying of the specimen) should be specified in the product standard
Object of the test
To demonstrate the immunity of the equipment to mechanical shocks, which are likely to occur, in the service environment.
Principle
The test involves applying a series of shock pulses to the specimen through standard mounting points Each shock pulse is characterized by its maximum acceleration amplitude, duration, and the acceleration/time relationship shape Although the selected pulse shape, such as a half sine wave, may not occur in a pure form in real-world scenarios, it offers a consistent method for simulating the effects of more realistic shock events.
The shock amplitude (peak acceleration) is related to the mass of the specimen, as shown in Figure 1, in order to limit the energy imparted to heavier specimens.
Test procedure
The test apparatus and procedure shall generally be as described in EN 60068-2-27:2009, for a half sine wave pulse, but with the peak acceleration related to specimen mass as indicated below
Before the conditioning, subject the specimen to the initial measurements required by the product standard
19.3.3 State of specimen during conditioning
Mount the specimen and place it in the configuration and operating condition, as specified in the product standard
Apply the appropriate severity of conditioning shown in Table 13
Equipment class Fixed, movable a and portable a
Environmental class I, II, III & IV
Peak acceleration  (m × s -2 ), related to the specimen mass M b (kg):
For movable and portable devices, the shock test can be omitted if false alarms are not permitted during the free fall test The number of pulses per direction is set at three, and both positive and negative directions are considered across three mutually perpendicular axes, as illustrated in Figure 1.
P ea k ac ce le ra tion  (m × s
Figure 1 – Graph showing peak acceleration vs specimen mass
Monitor the specimen during the conditioning period to detect any change in status
After the conditioning, subject the specimen to the final measurements required by the product standard and inspect it visually for mechanical damage both externally and internally
Object of the test
The article aims to showcase the resilience of fixed or movable equipment against mechanical impacts that may occur on their surfaces during regular service conditions, highlighting their ability to endure such stresses effectively.
Principle
The test consists of subjecting the specimens to impacts from a small hemispherical hammer-head on any exposed surface of the specimen.
Test procedure
The test apparatus and procedure shall be as described in EN 60068-2-75:1997 for Test Ehb
Impacts shall be applied to all accessible surfaces of the specimen, unless otherwise specified in the product standard
NOTE For certain devices, it may be necessary for the product standard to restrict the surfaces to be impacted
For all such surfaces three blows shall be applied to any point(s) considered likely to cause damage to or impair the operation of the specimen
It is essential to prevent the results from one series of three blows from affecting subsequent series If there is uncertainty about the impact of previous blows, the defect should be ignored, and an additional series of three blows should be conducted on a new specimen at the same location.
Before the conditioning, subject the specimen to the initial measurements required by the product standard
20.3.3 State of specimen during conditioning
Mount the specimen and place it in the configuration and operating condition, as specified in the product standard
Apply the appropriate severity of conditioning shown in Table 14
Equipment class Fixed and movable
Environmental class I, II & III IV
Number of impacts per point 3 3
Similar EN 62262 classification IK04 IK06
Monitor the specimen during the conditioning period to detect any change in status
After the conditioning, subject the specimen to the final measurements required by the product standard and inspect it visually for mechanical damage both externally and internally
Object of the test
This article aims to showcase the resilience of portable equipment against mechanical impacts that may occur in typical service conditions, highlighting its ability to endure such challenges effectively.
Principle
The test consist of subjecting the specimens to falls from a specified height onto a surface of concrete or steel.
Test procedure
The test apparatus and procedure shall be as described in EN 60068-2-31:2008 for Procedure 1
The specimen in its operating condition for use shall be allowed to fall freely
Before the conditioning, subject the specimen to the initial measurements required by the product standard
21.3.3 State of specimen during conditioning
Mount the specimen and place it in the configuration and operating condition, as specified in the product standard
Apply the appropriate severity of conditioning shown in Table 15
Table 15 – Free fall (operational) – Conditioning
Environmental class I, II, III & IV I, II, III & IV
The product committee must evaluate the severity of the drop test based on the application and the probability of equipment being dropped For instance, a drop height of 0.5 meters is appropriate for a local transmission unit in a social alarm system, typically situated on a tabletop in a residential setting In contrast, a lower severity test or no test at all may be adequate for equipment used in more controlled environments.
Monitor the specimen during the conditioning period to detect any change in status
After the conditioning, subject the specimen to the final measurements required by the product standard and inspect it visually for mechanical damage both externally and internally
Object of the test
To demonstrate the immunity of the equipment to vibration at levels appropriate to the service environment.
Principle
The test involves exposing the specimen to sinusoidal vibrations at levels and frequencies that reflect its service environment Each main functional mode, including quiescent, alarm, and fault warning conditions, undergoes a sweep cycle across the frequency range, applied in three mutually perpendicular axes.
NOTE A sweep cycle is a sweep of the frequency range in both directions (i.e min to max to min.).
Test procedure
The test apparatus and procedure shall be generally as described in EN 60068-2-6:2008
Vibration testing will be conducted sequentially along three mutually perpendicular axes, with one axis positioned perpendicular to the equipment's normal mounting plane.
The vibration operational test can be integrated with the vibration endurance test, allowing the specimen to undergo operational test conditioning followed by endurance test conditioning across each axis.
Before the conditioning, subject the specimen to the initial measurements required by the product standard
22.3.3 State of specimen during conditioning
Mount the specimen and place it in the configuration and operating condition(s), as specified in the product standard
Apply the appropriate severity of conditioning shown in Table 16
Table 16 – Vibration, sinusoidal (operational) – Conditioning
Equipment class Fixed, movable and portable
Environmental class I II, III & IV
Frequency range (Hz) 10 to 150 10 to 150
Number of sweep cycles / axis / functional mode 1 1
Monitor the specimen during the conditioning period to detect any change in status
After conditioning the specimen in all three axes, conduct the final measurements as specified by the product standard and perform a visual inspection for any mechanical damage, both externally and internally.
Object of the test
To demonstrate the ability of the equipment to withstand the long term effects of vibration at levels appropriate to the environment.
Principle
The test involves exposing the specimen to sinusoidal vibrations across a frequency range that simulates the service environment, but at an elevated level to expedite the impact of the vibrations.
Test procedure
The test apparatus and procedure shall be generally as described in EN 60068-2-6:2008, for vibration endurance by sweeping
The vibration shall be applied in each of three mutually perpendicular axes in turn One of these axes shall be perpendicular to the normal mounting plane of the equipment
The vibration endurance test can be integrated with the vibration operational test, allowing the specimen to undergo operational test conditioning followed by endurance test conditioning sequentially along each axis.
Before the conditioning, subject the specimen to the initial measurements required by the product standard
23.3.3 State of specimen during conditioning
Mount the specimen as specified in the product standard The specimen shall not be supplied with power during the conditioning
Apply the appropriate severity of conditioning shown in Table 17
Table 17 – Vibration, sinusoidal (endurance) – Conditioning
Equipment class Fixed, movable and portable
Environmental class I II, III & IV
Frequency range (Hz) 10 to 150 10 to 150
Number of sweep cycles / axis 20 20
After conditioning the specimen in all three axes, conduct the final measurements as specified by the product standard and perform a visual inspection for any mechanical damage, both externally and internally.
24 Simulated solar radiation, temperature rise (operational)
This test serves as an alternative to the dry heat (operational) test for Group IV While the dry heat test is generally sufficient, it may not accurately simulate the effects of solar heat radiation, particularly in cases where the test specimen is equipped with a solar shield In such instances, the simulated solar radiation test can be utilized.
Object of the test
To demonstrate the ability of the equipment to function correctly when exposed to the thermal effects of solar radiation under the conditions experienced at the surface of the earth.
Principle
The test involves subjecting the specimen to an irradiance of 1,120 W/m² while gradually varying the ambient temperature in a daily cycle Since the focus is solely on the thermal effects of solar radiation, any spectral distribution of the radiation source may be utilized, provided that adjustments are made for the specimen's absorptance factor.
Test procedure
The test apparatus and procedure shall be as described in EN 60068-2-5:1999, for procedure A and where only the thermal effects of solar radiation are of interest
Before the conditioning, subject the specimen to the initial measurements required by the product standard
24.3.3 State of specimen during conditioning
Mount the specimen and place it in the configuration and operating condition, as specified in the product standard
Temperature-radiation-time relationship during conditioning shall be in accordance with
EN 60068-2-5:1999, Figure 1 Two 24 h cycles shall be performed, with an upper temperature of
Apply the appropriate severity of conditioning shown in Table 18
Table 18 – Simulated solar radiation, Temperature rise (operational) – Conditioning
Equipment class Fixed, movable and portable
Environmental class I, II & III IV
During the conditioning period, it is essential to monitor the specimen for any changes in status Additionally, any required measurements specified by the product standard should be conducted in the final half hour of the last irradiation period.
After a recovery period of at least 1 h at standard laboratory conditions, subject the specimen to the final measurements required by the product standard
25 Simulated solar radiation, surface degradation (endurance)
NOTE This test should only be selected where it is necessary to assess specific materials or components for which degradation due to solar radiation is considered to be critical.
Object of the test
To demonstrate the ability of the equipment surface to withstand the surface degradation effects of solar radiation under the conditions experienced at the surface of the earth.
Principle
The test involves exposing the specimen to an irradiance of 1,120 W/m² using a Xenon radiation source This can be conducted on the test specimen itself or on samples taken from its surface.
Test procedure
The test apparatus and procedure shall be as described in EN 60068-2-5:1999, for procedure C
Before the conditioning, subject the specimen to the initial measurements required by the product standard
25.3.3 State of specimen during conditioning
Mount the specimen as specified in the product standard The specimen shall not be supplied with power during the conditioning
The radiation source is aligned to produce a direction of incident radiation of 90°, and adjusted to produce an irradiation of 1 120 W × m -2 perpendicular to the test specimen
Temperature-radiation-time relationship during conditioning shall be in accordance with
Apply the appropriate severity of conditioning shown in Table 19
Table 19 – Simulated solar radiation, surface degradation (endurance) – Conditioning
Equipment class Fixed, movable and portable
Environmental class I, II & III IV
After a recovery period of at least 1 h at standard laboratory conditions, subject the specimen to the final measurements required by the product standard
NOTE This test should only be selected where it is necessary to assess specific enclosures, for which the ingress of dust is considered to be critical.
Object of the test
To demonstrate that specific enclosures are adequately protected against the ingress of fine dust The test is not suitable for simulation of natural or induced environments.
Principle
The test involves subjecting a specimen to a high-density airflow filled with non-abrasive talcum powder, which has a maximum grain size of 75 µm Specimens are tested under internal air pressure that is lower than the surrounding atmospheric pressure to facilitate powder ingress This method ensures that the dust density remains extremely high and uniform throughout the test.
Test procedure
The test apparatus and procedure shall be as described in EN 60529:1991 and its A1:2000, for the dust test for the first characteristic numerals 5 and 6
Before the conditioning, subject the specimen to the initial measurements required by the product standard
26.3.3 State of specimen during conditioning
Mount the specimen according to the product standard, ensuring it is typically in a non-operating condition However, the relevant specification may require the specimen to be powered on and/or operated during testing.
Make sure that seals and other means for dust protection are situated as specified by the manufacturer It shall be determined whether the specimen belongs to category 1 or category 2
Category 1: Air pressure drop in the specimen below the surrounding air caused by intermittent operation or change of temperature of the surrounding air will occur
Category 2: Air pressure drop in the specimen below the surrounding air will not occur
Apply the appropriate severity of conditioning shown in Table 20 or Table 21
Table 20 – Dust tightness (endurance) – Conditioning for Category 1
Equipment class Fixed, movable and portable
Environmental class (I, II, III & IV) a
Similar to EN 60529 classification (IP5X or IP6X) b
A vacuum pump maintains the pressure inside the specimen below that of the surrounding air This test can be applied to various environmental classes but is specifically chosen to evaluate enclosures where dust ingress is deemed critical, based on the acceptance criteria established by the product committee.
Table 21 – Dust tightness (endurance) – Conditioning for Category 2
Equipment class Fixed, movable and portable
Environmental class (I, II, III & IV) a
Similar to EN 60529 classification (IP5X or IP6X) b
The test specimen remains unconnected to a vacuum pump and can be applied across various environmental classes This test is specifically chosen to evaluate enclosures where dust ingress is deemed critical, based on the acceptance criteria established by the product committee.
After a recovery period of at least 1 h at standard laboratory conditions, subject the specimen to the final measurements required by the product standard
EN 60068-3 series Environmental testing – Part 3: Background information (IEC 60068-3 series)