THE MICROTECHNOLOGY INFORMATION PORTAL/THE SHOW
03.10.2023
I - Assembly work
AGRO pressure balance elements.
AGRO pressure balance elements - Preventing pressure differences and water condensation due to temperature fluctuations
Whether traffic control and signalling technology, street lighting,
railway vehicles, distributor housings in power distribution networks,
or solar energy systems: they must all be able to withstand wind and weather, heat and rain. The same applies to their electronics and electrics. Air pressure, temperature and humidity are constantly changing.
Many electrotechnical housings are watertight and dust-tight (IP 68) but not gas-tight. Due to heating – for example, from solar radiation or enclosed electronics – a pressure difference can build up between the housing and the external environment, resulting in the flow of air between the internal and external areas. This allows the entry of air
moisture, which begins to condense when the air temperature falls
below the dew point. The water that is now present can result in corrosion and defects/malfunctions. This can be prevented by installing AGRO pressure balance elements.
Some products in this field are made of stainless materials for their strength and their resistance to corrosion. AGRO has developed a new, innovative pressure balance element of A4 stainless steel (EN 1.4404 / AISI 316L) for use in stainless housings (patent pending), which is unsurpassed in terms of robustness and offers the highest impact resistance in accordance with IEC EN 62262, Class IK10.
It combines high-quality materials with an innovative design and is able to enduringly withstand the most challenging conditions – from
demanding industrial processes involving aggressive cleaning agents
and chemicals to harsh environmental conditions in coastal regions or on the ocean.
A high-performance membrane ensures rapid, reliable air exchange with flow rates that are second to none. It is made of PTFE (polyterafluoroethylene) and has pores that are hundreds of times bigger than water vapour molecules, but thousands of times smaller than water droplets. The membrane, which is water- and oil-repellent, offers a very high degree of protection: IP66 / IP68 (0.5bar/1h) / IP69 / IP6K9K. The most effective air exchange (circulation) can be achieved by installing two pressure balance elements opposite one another with an offset between them. The wide temperature range, from -40 °C to +150 °C, is another
highlight of the new pressure balance element, which is unique on the market and fulfils every need. The product features an M12x1.5 entry thread. The membrane is RoHS- and REACH-compliant, and free of PFOA and PFOS.