| |
|
|
Windspeed Limited (trading as Vector Instruments)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| IP Ratings of Vector Instruments Anemometers and Windvanes |
|
|
We have have never stated IP Ratings for Vector Instruments Anemometers and Windvanes.
The standard anemometer and windvane products are all well suited for use in all general outdoor weather conditions, with this being proven by many years of successful/reliable use in the field.
For "marine" applications, there are "marine" variants available with additional sealing ("/WR3" variant - not IEC First-Class, for general applications), and for severe environmental conditions (offshore, icing conditions, etc) there are "/SE" Severe Environment variants available ("/SE" remains IEC First-Class for Wind-Energy applications).
More Details:
The "IP" test conditions are not very representative of the conditions experienced by weather measuring instruments, so we have never used IP ratings/tests.
Over many years working at Windspeed Ltd (Vector Instruments), we have seen many "enclosures/boxes/products" claiming an IP65, IP67, or even IP68 rating where water has still collected inside the enclosure/product eventually causing problems/corrosion when exposed to the weather for long periods, so we have found that a "high IP rating" does not guarantee that water/dirt will not get into the product in practice.
Our "standard" anemometers and windvanes are suitable for continuous use in all weathers in most environments (and have been shown to be so during the last 45 years of use in the field).
Our "/WR3" variants have additional protection against water and dirt ingress, but are NOT "sealed/submersible".
Our "/SE" variants have even more protection against water and dirt ingress (plus an anti-icing heater), but are NOT "sealed/submersible"
The /WR3 and /SE variants are available for ALL of our anemometer and windvane models.
We have never tested these products exactly as-per the IP rating tests/requirements, but looking at the IP ratings tests, I'd guess that these products would probably meet "at least IP55 or IP56" (with the /SE variant performing better than the /WR3 variant):
First Digit "5" = "Ingress of dust is not entirely prevented, but it must not enter in sufficient quantity to interfere with the safe operation of the equipment."
Second Digit "6" = "Water projected in powerful jets (12.5 mm (0.49 in)) against the enclosure from any direction shall have no harmful effects (Test duration: 1 minute per square meter for at least 3 minutes)."
However, note that "at least IP55 or IP56" is not part of any of our product specifications, and cannot be guaranteed.
Prolonged exposure to severe conditions will reduce the time until anemometer/windvane servicing/maintenance is required of course, however the design of our products permits replacement of parts which may degrade due to water/dirt ingress.
The /WR3 and /SE product variants are all about trying to reduce/minimize ingress and extend the time between servicing/maintenance in severe conditions. Experience has shown that, rather than "trying to seal the product completely", it is often actually better to include "holes/gaps" to allow any moisture that does get in to "drain away" and to allow the internal spaces of the product to "breathe" - But: any such "holes/gaps" lead to a poor/low IP rating figure which isn't really representative of how the product will actually perform in the field. So: simply comparing "IP ratings" between weather instruments doesn't tell the whole story.
|
| [Back...] |
|
|
|
|
|
Windspeed Limited (trading as Vector Instruments),
113 Marsh Road, RHYL, North Wales, LL18 2AB, United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0) 1745 350700 Fax: +44 (0) 1745 344206
Email: sales@windspeed.co.uk
|
|
Website design and content is copyright (c) 2003-2024 Windspeed Limited (unless otherise stated). All trademarks are acknowledged.
|
|
