[CA] [CA11] Element water ingress protection

[picant]

Hi, Element spec states IPx6 and IPx7 protection levels but does not clarify what parts are IPx6 and what are IPx7. Is this info available? I'm going to install my Element on a kayak and chances are it may get a quick dip. How dangerous is this?

[Chuck - Raymarine - Moderator]

Welcome to the Raymarine Forum picant,

The IPX6 and IPX7 standards are listed below. These apply to the water intrusion within the case and reader of the Element display. Given your intended use on a kayak, I believe that you will find it well suited to that application.

6 Powerful water jets Water projected in powerful jets (12.5 mm nozzle) against the enclosure from any direction shall have no harmful effects. Test duration: 1 minute per square meter for at least 3 minutes
Water volume: 100 litres per minute
Pressure: 100 kPa at distance of 3 m

7 Immersion, up to 1 m depth Ingress of water in harmful quantity shall not be possible when the enclosure is immersed in water under defined conditions of pressure and time (up to 1 m of submersion). Test duration: 30 minutes.[5]
Tested with the lowest point of the enclosure 1000 mm below the surface of the water, or the highest point 150 mm below the surface, whichever is deeper.

[picant]

Is it still a good idea to add some water repellent grease into power and transducer connectors (like Inox MX6 or MX3)?

[Chuck - Raymarine - Moderator]

picant,

While the seals within the plugs of Raymarine cables are designed to keep out moisture, use of dielectric compounds such as Dow Corning DC4 may indeed provide and additional layer of protection for a product's plug and socket.

[AndrewSimon]

Hi Chuck

Can you please advise if the Dow Corning DC4 is to be used ONLY on the rubber O rings of a STNG connector or also on the metal pins and pin sockets?

Thanks,

Andy

[Chuck - Raymarine - Moderator]

Andrew,

When a dielectric compounds such as Dow Corning DC4, it would typically be applied to the pins (typically only the female pins) of a plug / socket.