/learn/learning-center/the-tech-connection/b/blog/posts/how-do-sunlight-humidity-and-moisture-affect-electronicsThis Tech Spotlight discusses how sunlight, moisture, and humidity affect the performance of electronic systems, and the available methods to mitigate those environmental conditions. Devices installed outdoors must be able to operate in harsh enviro.en-USTelligent Community 12https://community.element14.com/learn/learning-center/the-tech-connection/b/blog/posts/how-do-sunlight-humidity-and-moisture-affect-electronicsSun, 15 Oct 2023 11:05:32 GMT93d5dcb4-84c2-446f-b2cb-99731719e767:4f3a8e7d-35c0-48fd-b828-6569703e32eabeacon_dave0<p>Harshest environmental environments would probably be Scotland and Lancashire for prolonged rain, Antarctica for cold, and Canada for temperature swing.</p> <p>Most problematic for wildlife would be spiders spinning webs across the front of camera housings being used for long-term time-lapse projects. For a while the wiper mechanism would clear them but then they got wise and started spinning their web in a different pattern such that it accommodated the motion of the wiper and allowed the web to stay intact.</p> <p>With outdoor camera projects condensation on the viewing glass can be an issue without demisters and breathing desiccators.</p> <p>Another harsh environment that affected some neighbouring projects was the particulate matter from diesel engines which is very good at blocking equipment filters in outdoor signage screens and projectors.&nbsp;</p> <p>In general, I&#39;ve noticed that often a lot of people don&#39;t factor in the environmental considerations when taking their functioning prototype out from the indoor lab into the great outdoors.</p> <p>Construction sites, you can get a lot of dust thrown up from earthmoving operations. I had a dumper truck take a shortcut between a mast and one of its guy ropes which didn&#39;t end well. Site power appears to get tripped several times a day so bring your own or have battery backup, and their excavators will always manage to find your buried fibre optic cables...&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><img src="https://community.element14.com/aggbug?PostID=26962&AppID=207&AppType=Weblog&ContentType=0" width="1" height="1">https://community.element14.com/learn/learning-center/the-tech-connection/b/blog/posts/how-do-sunlight-humidity-and-moisture-affect-electronicsWed, 11 Oct 2023 10:57:40 GMT93d5dcb4-84c2-446f-b2cb-99731719e767:4f3a8e7d-35c0-48fd-b828-6569703e32eajavagoza1<p>The main problem I have suffered is with rodents, and especially rats, they cause major disturbances in the systems by chewing on the cables.</p> <p>I also had problems in times of crisis when pickets of striking workers sabotaged coaxial and trunk cables by pricking needles.</p><img src="https://community.element14.com/aggbug?PostID=26962&AppID=207&AppType=Weblog&ContentType=0" width="1" height="1">https://community.element14.com/learn/learning-center/the-tech-connection/b/blog/posts/how-do-sunlight-humidity-and-moisture-affect-electronicsTue, 10 Oct 2023 18:44:44 GMT93d5dcb4-84c2-446f-b2cb-99731719e767:4f3a8e7d-35c0-48fd-b828-6569703e32eaDAB0<p>Having worked on military gear, I can confirm that you need very good connectors for outdoor equipment.</p> <p>I have seen some very interesting requirements such as mold resistance, high humidity, and salt protection.</p><img src="https://community.element14.com/aggbug?PostID=26962&AppID=207&AppType=Weblog&ContentType=0" width="1" height="1">