Surviving where deployed.
WHAT THE ENVIRONMENT PRESENTS
Temperature extremes Humidity and condensation Dust Water, from rain or washing Vibration and impact Sunlight degrading materials Insects and rodents
WHAT INGRESS RATINGS DESCRIBE
Resistance to solids and liquids, by a standard scale.
WHAT TO SPECIFY
A rating appropriate to the actual conditions, not the optimistic ones.
WHAT CONDENSATION CAUSES
Corrosion and failure, even without direct water.
WHY IT OCCURS
Temperature cycling draws moist air in, which condenses.
WHAT REDUCES IT
Sealed enclosures with desiccant Breathable vents equalising pressure Conformal coating on boards
WHAT DUST CAUSES
Blocked vents, degraded contacts, and reduced solar output.
WHAT HEAT CAUSES
Reduced component life, battery degradation, and failure above rated limits.
WHAT TO CHECK
Internal temperature in direct sun, which far exceeds ambient.
WHAT TO PROVIDE
Shading, or placement avoiding direct exposure.
WHAT ANTENNA PLACEMENT REQUIRES
Consideration of the enclosure material, which attenuates signals.
WHY METAL ENCLOSURES ARE PROBLEMATIC
They block radio almost entirely.
WHAT TO TEST
Deployed units, in the actual environment, for months before scaling.
