OK LS-800 Box-Type Rain Test Chamber

Overview

The OK LS-800 Box-Type Rain Test Chamber is an engineered environmental test system designed to replicate controlled rain exposure conditions in accordance with international ingress protection (IP) rating standards—primarily IEC 60529 and GB 4208. It employs a closed-chamber architecture integrating programmable water delivery, calibrated droplet generation, adjustable wind simulation, and thermal conditioning to assess the water resistance performance of enclosures, electronic housings, automotive components, outdoor lighting, and industrial control cabinets. Unlike open-loop spray rigs, the LS-800 operates as a self-contained chamber with internal recirculation filtration, stainless-steel wetted surfaces (SUS304), and sealed observation windows, enabling repeatable, traceable, and auditable IPX3 through IPX6 testing under laboratory-controlled ambient or elevated temperature conditions (up to 80 °C). Its modular design supports standardized test methods including oscillating pipe (IPX3/IPX4), nozzle-based spray (IPX3/IPX4 alternative), and high-pressure jet (IPX5/IPX6) configurations—all executed within a single footprint without external plumbing or spatial constraints.

Key Features

• Integrated multi-mode rain simulation: Configurable for IPX3 (oscillating pipe), IPX4 (splashing from all directions), IPX5 (6.3 mm nozzle, 12.5 L/min), and IPX6 (12.5 mm nozzle, 100 L/min) per IEC 60529 Annex B
• Adjustable rainfall intensity (10–20 cm/h) and droplet size distribution (0.5–4.5 mm) via precision nozzles and pressure-regulated flow control
• Programmable wind simulation (5–18 m/s) using axial blower assembly with laminar flow conditioning, enabling dynamic rain-wind interaction tests aligned with MIL-STD-810G Method 506
• Temperature-controlled chamber environment (ambient to 80 °C) for evaluating thermal-hydraulic coupling effects on seal integrity and material swelling
• Rotating sample platform (Φ300–Φ600 mm, 1–5 rpm, max load 100 kg) with centering alignment and optional indexing for multi-face exposure
• PLC-based control system with 7-inch HMI touchscreen, supporting user-defined test sequences, cycle repetition, pause/resume, and real-time parameter logging
• Stainless-steel (SUS304) inner chamber, filtered recirculating water circuit (0.45 μm filter), automatic water level monitoring, and leak detection with audible/visual alarm

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The LS-800 accommodates samples up to 1000 × 1000 × 1000 mm (customizable), with support for static mounting or rotational exposure across all IP-rated test modes. It meets the physical and procedural requirements of IEC 60529, GB 4208, ISO 20653 (road vehicles), and MIL-STD-810G/H Method 506. For regulated industries, the system supports GLP/GMP-aligned operation through optional audit-trail-enabled firmware (21 CFR Part 11-compliant data logging available upon request). All critical parameters—including flow rate, pressure, duration, rotation speed, and temperature—are independently verifiable using calibrated transducers traceable to NIST or equivalent national metrology institutes. The chamber’s structural integrity and sealing performance are validated per ISO 17025-accredited protocols during factory acceptance testing.

Software & Data Management

The embedded control software provides intuitive test setup, real-time monitoring of water pressure (kPa), flow rate (L/min), chamber temperature (°C), and elapsed time. Test programs can be saved, duplicated, and exported as CSV files for external analysis. Optional PC-based software (OK-RainSuite™) enables remote supervision, automated report generation (PDF/Excel), trend analysis of historical test runs, and integration with LIMS environments. All logged data includes timestamps, operator ID, and system status flags (e.g., “filter clog warning”, “low water alert”). Audit trails record every parameter change, start/stop action, and calibration event—ensuring full traceability for quality audits and regulatory submissions.

Applications

• IP code validation for consumer electronics, medical devices, and industrial sensors prior to CE, UKCA, or FCC certification
• Automotive component qualification per OEM specifications (VW 80000, GMW 3172, Ford ES-XW7T-1A278-AC)
• Outdoor LED luminaire testing per IEC/EN 60598-1 and IEC 62717
• Telecom cabinet and power distribution enclosure certification per IEC 62262 and UL 50E
• Material degradation studies involving cyclic thermal-rain exposure for polymer gaskets, elastomeric seals, and conformal coatings
• R&D screening of new enclosure designs under combined rain/wind/temperature stress profiles

FAQ

Does the LS-800 support IPX7 or IPX8 immersion testing?
No—the LS-800 is specifically engineered for rain, splash, and jet exposure (IPX1–IPX6). Immersion testing requires separate tank-based systems compliant with IEC 60529 Section 14.2.
Can it perform IPX9K high-temperature high-pressure testing?
Not by default; IPX9K (ISO 20653) requires 8–10 MPa water pressure at 80 °C, which exceeds the LS-800’s hydraulic design. A dedicated IPX9K upgrade module is available as a factory option.
What water quality is required for reliable long-term operation?
Deionized or softened water with conductivity ≤10 μS/cm is mandatory to prevent nozzle clogging and scaling. Integrated filtration (0.45 μm) extends maintenance intervals but does not replace feedwater conditioning.
Is third-party calibration documentation provided with shipment?
Yes—each unit ships with a factory calibration certificate covering flow meters, pressure transducers, PT100 temperature sensors, and timer accuracy, all traceable to CNAS-accredited standards.
How is compliance with IEC 60529 verified during installation?
OK Instruments performs on-site verification per Annex B of IEC 60529, including droplet size measurement (laser diffraction), flow uniformity mapping, angular coverage validation, and wind velocity profiling—documented in the Installation Qualification (IQ) report.