Resource Library

A critical aspect of vent selection begins with defining the level of protection your application, device or housing requires.

IP ratings cannot be “converted” to NEMA ratings, since NEMA requires additional testing not included in IP. However, there are minimum NEMA ratings that will meet or exceed a given IP code.

When telecommunication equipment fails prematurely due to conditions of the environment in which it is installed, it leads to network downtime, increased costs and maintenance, and reduced brand loyalty. Gore application engineers developed new enclosure reliability tests that replicate real-world environmental challenges.

Fluctuations in temperature create failures in electronic devices due to pressure differentials. Gore application engineers simulated a rapid heating and cooling cycle to understand the effects of pressure differentials. This document describes the test procedures and results.

A five-year study demonstrates that GORE^® Protective Vents can extend the service life of sealed outdoor enclosures, reliably protecting the integrity of the sensitive electronics within. The study, developed and conducted by Gore application engineers, measured pressure differentials in both non-vented and vented enclosures. The resulting effects on enclosure and seal integrity are dramatic. 

This document explains the format and classification of Ingress Protection (IP) ratings, according to the IEC 60529 standards.

This document explains the Underwriters Laboratory standard for testing the flammability properties of plastic materials used for parts in devices and appliances.

Description of standard test used to measure a membrane's ability to stop aqueous flow, and diagram of the apparatus used for water entry pressure testing.

Description of standard test used to measure airflow of low flowing media, and diagram of the apparatus used for Gurley airflow testing.

The key to choosing the appropriate membrane technology for a given application is understanding the environmental conditions and the surface tension of the fluids that the vent will encounter.