Water And Dust Sealing Considerations - HID Lumidigm M Series Mechanical Integration Manual

Lumidigm M-Series M3xx Modules Mechanical Integration Guide, PLT-02217, Rev. A.0

4.5 Water and Dust Sealing Considerations

IP enclosure ratings indicate the level of protection the enclosure has against ingress of
solids and water into the enclosure. Ratings are displayed in the format "IPxy", where:
x - indicates the level of protection that the enclosure provides against ingress of solid
foreign objects
5 - dust protected
Ingress of dust is not entirely prevented, but it must not enter in sufficient quantity to
interfere with the satisfactory operation of the equipment; complete protection against
contact
6 - dust tight
No ingress of dust; complete protection against contact
y - indicates the level of protection of the equipment inside the enclosure against ingress of
water
4 - splashing water
Water splashing against the enclosure from any direction shall have no harmful effect.
5 - water jets
Water projected by a nozzle against enclosure from any direction shall have no harmful
effects.
6 - powerful water jets
Water projected in powerful jets against the enclosure from any direction shall have no
harmful effects.
No "harmful effects" means that the ingress does not cause a hazard and that the
equipment continues to operate in accordance with its specifications.
To achieve an IP65 rating, the entire enclosure must pass both a level 6 solids ingress and a
level 5 water ingress test. This is a self-certification using a documented test procedure that
can be performed either by the manufacturer or a lab hired by the manufacturer.
The M3xx sensor head is an optical instrument and precautions should be taken to protect
it from liquid water and dust. Contaminants such as dust can interfere with imaging
performance. In addition, M3xx electronics are not conformally coated and therefore
cannot tolerate liquid water intrusion. Water intrusion in the form of condensation should
also be controlled as significant condensation can temporarily degrade optical
performance.
While precautions are prudent, the M3xx can operate within specifications even when
significant contamination is present. The module has been verified to operate within
specifications after a simulated 5 years of unprotected exposure in an environment
representative of a computer cabinet in an office environment with unfiltered air flow. This
means no special protection is required inside the enclosure as long as the enclosure itself
has at least level 5 solids protection when used outside an office environment.
The M3xx sensor head is open to the enclosure air mass and is not protected from water
intrusion. When the module is used in applications where liquid water intrusion is likely,
such as outdoors, it does require an enclosure that is at least level 4 rated.
The M3xx platen area has passed IP65 testing and as a result can be used in an enclosure
intended for IP65 certification provided that the M3xx to enclosure seal is and the rest of
the enclosure engineered for IP65.
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