Keep electronic projects secure and weatherproof for the long haul

30Jun

posted by: Rolf Horn, Digi-Key Electronics

Figure 1: The effects of moisture and humidity on electronic components, boards, and interconnects can be highly detrimental over time. (Image source: Shutterstock)

For many designers of DIY or prototype projects, once the electronics are laid out, finding a suitable enclosure is often left to the last minute. This may be reasonable if it’s going to be used indoors on a desk or placed on a wall, temporarily. But if the project is intended for use outdoors over a long period of time, it will quickly succumb to the elements or be damaged, either intentionally or unintentionally, by malicious tampering or idle curiosity.

It’s difficult to craft an appropriate enclosure using available materials, and while off-the-shelf enclosures might meet ruggedness requirements, they may not be the right size, overly vulnerable to tampering, and lack aesthetics. The latter two can be problematic if the enclosure is going to on the outside of a home or commercial building.

For small electronic project housings or enclosures that will be placed outside, it’s best to opt for a line of officially IP-68 qualified polycarbonate enclosures that can seal the electronics effectively against the elements.

This article will discuss the effects of rain, temperature extremes, and sunlight on electronics systems and their enclosures. It will then describe what IP-68 protection implies, before introducing enclosures from Hammond Manufacturing with associated gaskets, that meet both physical and aesthetic requirements.

Read the full article in the July issue of PBSI