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Blog#3 Deep Dive into the Hammond Enclosure

skruglewicz

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The purpose of this blog is to take a deep dive into the IP68 Waterproof Enclosure, supplied by Hammond. As part of a Design Challenge titled Experimenting with Extreme Environments, sponsored by Hammond Manufacturing, I submitted this extra credit blog. This is the 3rd blog in a series of extra credit blogs that cover topics of major steps taken to get to my final blog Final Results -- IoT Device Protection in Harsh Environments

Parts Description 

IP68 waterproof Enclosure part# 1554VA2GYCL

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The 1554VA2GYCL enclosure is a versatile and durable solution designed to protect sensitive electronic components in industrial and outdoor environments. Its features include a watertight construction with a clear lid for visibility, stainless steel hardware for durability, and a rugged polycarbonate material resistant to impact, chemicals, and UV radiation. The enclosure is secured with stainless steel screws and a silicone gasket, providing protection against moisture, dust, and contaminants. Overall, it offers a reliable and cost-effective option for safeguarding electronic components in harsh conditions. The container comes with a hole drilled in the side to attach the connectors provided in the parts kit.

Connectors in the Parts Kit: 

  • Some questions I have about the connectors
    • Why is this rated at IP67 and the enclosure is rated at IP68?
    • Only 2 parts are included in the package? The challenge page listed 3 connectors?
    • 2 piece MRD Series Rugged Circular Locking Connectors

imageMaterial:

Contacts: Copper alloy with gold flash over a minimum of 50μ” (1.27μm) of nickel
Housing: Black engineering thermoplastic, UL94V-0 rated
Metal Shell: Chrome plated die-cast zinc alloy


Electrical Performance:

Current Rating: 5A per contact for 1mm contacts, 10A per contact for 1.5mm contact size
Voltage Rating: 300 VAC for 1.0mm contacts, 500 VAC for 1.5mm contact size
Wire Gauge: Up to #18AWG for 1.0mm contacts, Up to 16AWG for 1.5mm contact size
Mechanical Performance:

Durability: 500 mating cycles

Environmental:

RoHS: Compliant with European Union Directive 2011/65/EU
Operating Temperature: From -55°C to +105°C
Salt Spray: Per EIA364-26, 250 Hours
Temperature Rise: 30°C

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Circular Connector, Cable Mount Plug, 4 Contacts

Circular Connector, Cable Mount Plug, 4 Contacts

  • AMPHENOL COMMUNICATIONS SOLUTIONS MRD-BN04-M17-000
  • Circular Connector, MRD Series, Cable Mount Plug, 4 Contacts, Solder Socket, Latch Lock
  • Product description/Part number:
  • MRD series male 4 position socket connector with metal latch lock
  •  MRD-BN04-M17-000

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Circular Connector, Panel Mount Receptacle, 4 Contacts

Circular Connector, Panel Mount Receptacle, 4 Contacts

  • AMPHENOL COMMUNICATIONS SOLUTIONS MRD-BG04-L13-000
  • Circular Connector, IP67, MRD Series, Panel Mount Receptacle, 4 Contacts, Solder Pin, Latch 
  • Lock.
  • Product description/Part number:
  • MRD series panel mount, female 4 position pin connector with metal latch lock 
  • MRD-BG04-L13-000

Circular Connector, Cable Mount Receptacle, 4 Contacts

The 2 connectors are meant to connect together and there is a pre-drilled hole in the side of the enclosure to attach the MRD-BG04-L13-000  end through the hole. This evidently requires the user to make a cable and use these 2 connectors a jack. I did not choose to build cables for this challenge. It will interesting to see how the other challengers use these?

Getting  to understand enclosures.

Enclosure Ingress Protection (IP): Understanding the Basics

Enclosures have a rating used to specify the extent of protection an electrical enclosure has against environmental conditions.

  1. Enclosure Rating: Enclosures are assigned a rating that indicates the level of protection they offer against environmental factors.
  2. Ingress Protection (IP) Rating: The IP rating is a standardized system used to rate the effectiveness of an enclosure in protecting its contents from solids and water.
  3. IP Rating Structure:
  • The IP rating consists of two digits:
    • The first digit represents the level of protection against solid objects or materials.
    • The second digit indicates the level of protection against water.

Other Hammond Enclosures I have used from a previous challenge

  •  The 1554UGY Waterproof enclosure
    • is a Plastic Enclosure, Watertight, has a rating of IP66
    • Ingress Protection: IP66 is as follows 

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    • It's limits are:  cannot be submerged in water
    • It will not allow dust in
    • it is watertight and rain will not penetrate.
  • The 1554H2GYCL enclosure
    • Plastic Enclosure, Watertight, Polycarbonate, has a rating of IP68
    • Ingress Protection Rating: IP68 is as follows. 

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    • It has the highest IP rating for water and can be completely submerged in water 
    • It has the same dust rating as the other enclosure and will not let dust particles in
    • It is constructed of Polycarbonate with a Gasketed lid with two piece “tongue & groove” construction
  • Possible solutions is to use a dust particle Sensor to monitor the dust levels in both enclosures. a Water  sensor could be used to detect moisture in the enclosures.

Connectors IP  ratings

The connectors included in the kit are rated at IP67. but the Enclosure is rated at IP68. What is the impact of submerging this into water? The Next part explains that It should be ok? 

IP67 is a rating that indicates a device or enclosure has a high level of protection against dust and water ingress.

Specifically, the IP67 rating means:

  • The first digit "6" indicates the device is completely protected against dust ingress. Dust cannot enter the device in an amount that would interfere with its operation.
  • The second digit "7" indicates the device can withstand being submerged in water up to 1 meter (about 3.3 feet) in depth for up to 30 minutes without water entering and causing damage.

So in summary, an IP67 rating signifies a device is both dust-tight and can withstand temporary submersion in shallow water, making it suitable for use in outdoor or harsh environments where it may be exposed to water and dust

IP67 vs IP68

Water Resistance
  • IP67 devices can withstand being submerged in up to 1 meter (about 3.3 feet) of water for up to 30 minutes.
  • IP68 devices can withstand being submerged in water beyond 1 meter (usually specified by the manufacturer) for a longer duration, often up to 1 hour
Depth of Submersion
  • IP67 devices are rated for submersion up to 1 meter (about 3.3 feet) in depth
  • IP68 devices can be submerged to depths greater than 1 meter, with the exact depth specified by the manufacturer.

In summary, the main difference is that IP68 pro higher level of water resistance and protection against deeper submersion compared to IP67. IP68 is suitable for more demanding water-related activities like swimming, snorkeling, or accidental drops into deeper water bodies.

Enclosure Predrilled Hole 

The 1554VA2GYCL enclosure comes with a predrilled hole in the side of the enclosure,. I presume it is intended to attach the Connectors described above. 

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I need to use the DC power adapter to give DC power to the CM4 IO board. I could not figure out any other way to power the board. I will run the wire through hole and cover the wire and hole with tape. as pictured below

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The cover has a rubber gasket, that needs to be placed in the groove around the top piece of the enclosure as shown

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Here is the kit with tape and packaging materiel

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Now when the CM4 IO board is placed inside, to stop it from moving, I place a piece of packaging material to hold it in place as shown below

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CONCLUSIONS

  • For my water test I need to be sure I do not submerge the enclosure over 3.3 feet in water because of the pre-drilled hole and the Connector IP rating of IP67.
  • Another Hammond enclosure that I have (1554H2GYCL) can be submerged deeper because I never drilled a hole on the side. It is rated at IP68
  • What will be the use of the connector? Can I use it to pass the Barrel connector through for power? If so can I submerge the wire in water?
  • I decided to not use the connectors and tape up the hole with the wire through the hole as described above. I will test the seal without the electronic, to make sure it's water tight before doing my Water test.

RESOURCES

NEXT

Blog#4 Implementation of Electronic Parts Project

This blog describes the construction of the electronics that will be housed within the enclosure. The purpose of this is to test the effects of the environment on the electronics.