Testing Disciplines
Rain
| The purpose of this method is to determine with respect to rain, water spray, or dripping water, the following: | |
 The effectiveness of
protective covers, cases, and seals in preventing the
penetration of water. |
|
| The capability of a
product to perform normally during and after exposure to
water. |
|
| Any physical
deterioration caused by the rain. |
|
| The effectiveness of
any water removal system. |
|
| The effectiveness of
protection offered to a packaged product. |
|
| Applicability | |
| Rain and Blowing Rain is applicable for Test Specimens which will be deployed out-of-doors and which will be unprotected from rain or blowing rain | |
| Drip is appropriate when a Test Specimen is normally protected from rain but may be exposed to falling water from condensation or leakage from upper surfaces. | |
| Effects | |
| Rain when falling, upon impact, and as deposited as pooled water has a variety of effects on products. | |
| Surface erosion |
|
| Degraded
strength/swelling of some materials. |
|
| Increased corrosion
potential, erosion, or even fungal growth. |
|
| Increased weight. |
|
| Electrical or
electronic apparatus become inoperative or unsafe. |
|
| Freezing inside
products that may cause delayed deterioration and
malfunction by swelling or cracking of parts. |
|
| Modified thermal
exchange. |
|
| Slower burning of
propellants. |
|
| Test Methods | |
| Rain & Blowing
Rain |
Drip |
| Related Test Methods | |
| Watertightness |
Immersion |
| Variables | |
| Rainfall rate |
Nozzle size |
| Droplet size |
Nozzle pattern |
| Wind velocity |
Preheat temperature |
| Test Specimen
orientation |
Exposure duration |
| Procedure Selection Considerations | |
| Select the procedure that represents the most severe exposure anticipated for the Test Specimen. When selecting a procedure, consider: | |
| The Test Specimen
configuration. |
|
| The purpose of the
Test Specimen. |
|
| The natural exposure
circumstances. |
|
| Test Specimen Configuration | |
| Perform the test using all the configurations in which the Test Specimen may be exposed to rain. As a minimum, consider the following configurations: | |
| In a shipping
container, storage container or transit case. |
|
| Protected or not
protected. |
|
| In its operational
configuration. |
|
| Modified with kits for
special applications. |
|
| Typical Test Standards | |
| MIL-STD-810 |
MIL-STD-108 |
| EN 60529 |
NEMA |
| UL |
RTCA DO-160 |
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