Enclosures

Low-profile vent targets outdoor electronic enclosures

20th January 2016
Nat Bowers
0

Designed for easier integration into small (up to 2l) outdoor electronic enclosures, W. L. Gore & Associates has announced the compact, low-profile GORE PolyVent XS. It was developed to meet the growing need to design increasingly-complex electronics into ever-smaller, ever-lighter outdoor enclosures and to more easily integrate robust venting performance that protects device reliability and longevity in the face of harsh environmental conditions.

John Zhao, Product Line Manager, W. L. Gore & Associates, commented: “At Gore, we focus on a product’s ‘fitness for use’ in a given application. And GORE PolyVent XS is truly an excellent fit for small enclosures. It packs a high level of performance into a very compact vent design, to reliably protect the integrity of enclosures with up to 2l volume. The GORE PolyVent XS is also well-suited for applications requiring a venting solution that will not compromise the overall design.”

Enhanced design options and easy integration

The compact, low-profile GORE PolyVent XS offers engineers more design options, because it optimises three critical dimensions:

  • A smaller diameter (11.2mm) makes GORE PolyVent XS easier to integrate into smaller housings, particularly those with small installed clearances. The extra space on the housing exterior can often be used to add heat-transfer fins or other accessory parts that enhance performance.
  • The lower installed height (4.5mm) means less external protrusion, which helps enclosures fit in the tightest spaces and reduces vulnerability to mechanical impacts.
  • The short thread height (7mm) means the vent intrudes less deeply into the enclosure, which provides more flexibility in component layout. Shorter thread height can also enable the use of thinner enclosure walls, to reduce enclosure weight and material costs.

Robust performance to rigorous standards

Despite its compact size, the GORE PolyVent XS offers notable advantages in the field – all designed to help small outdoor enclosures withstand harsh environmental conditions:

  • Added flammability protection: GORE PolyVent XS is the first vent in the Screw-in Series to incorporate the new UL 94 V-0-rated GORE Membrane. This innovation, combined with Gore’s UL 94 V-0-rated vent body, cap and O-ring materials, provides comprehensive flammability resistance. This means added safety for high-value telecomms or lighting products, and can spare manufacturers the time and expense of flammability-validation testing.
  • Robust performance: GORE PolyVent XS meets other rigorous industry standards, including the Random Vibration test (IEC 60068-2-64 and ETSI EN 300 019-2-2) and resistance to degradation by Ultraviolet Light (UL 746C). The screw-in design also ensures a secure, durable attachment to the housing.
  • Reliable ingress protection: The GORE Membrane of 100% ePTFE provides lasting oleophobic and hydrophobic protection. With typical airflow of up to 300ml/minute (dp = 70mbar), this new vent provides rapid, reliable pressure equalisation in outdoor enclosures up to 2l, while meeting IP66, IP67 and IP68 (1 hour immersion at 2m) standards.

"With GORE PolyVent XS, reliability is assured, because the quality is built in. Each vent is laser-marked, and individually inspected before shipment, so customers can have 100% product traceability and full confidence in our venting performance,” added Boris Su, Technical Manager, W. L. Gore & Associates.

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