prEN IEC 60068-2-17:2022

Environmental testing - Part 2-17: Tests - Test Q: Sealing

Umgebungseinflüsse - Teil 2-17: Prüfverfahren - Prüfung Q: Dichtheit

Essais d'environnement - Partie 2-17: Essais - Essai Q: Etanchéité

Okoljsko preskušanje - 2-17. del: Preskusi - Preskus Q: Tesnjenje

General Information

• Status: Not Published
• Publication Date: 14-Jan-2024
• ICS: 19.040 - Environmental testing
• Technical Committee: CLC/SR 104 - Environmental conditions, classification and methods of test
• Drafting Committee: IEC/TC 104 - IEC_TC_104
• Current Stage: 4060 - Enquiry results established and sent to TC, SR, BTTF - Enquiry
• Start Date: 16-Sep-2022
• Completion Date: 16-Sep-2022
• Ref Project: oSIST prEN IEC 60068-2-17:2022 - Environmental testing - Part 2-17: Tests - Test Q: Sealing

Relations

• Revises: EN 60068-2-17:1994 - Environmental testing - Part 2: Tests - Test Q: Sealing
• Effective Date: 27-Jan-2023

Standards Content (Sample)

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
oSIST prEN IEC 60068-2-17:2022
01-september-2022
Okoljsko preskušanje - 2-17. del: Preskusi - Preskus Q: Tesnjenje
Environmental testing - Part 2-17: Tests - Test Q: Sealing
Essais d'environnement - Partie 2-17: Essais - Essai Q: Etanchéité
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: prEN IEC 60068-2-17:2022
ICS:
19.040 Preskušanje v zvezi z Environmental testing
okoljem
oSIST prEN IEC 60068-2-17:2022 en

2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

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oSIST prEN IEC 60068-2-17:2022
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oSIST prEN IEC 60068-2-17:2022
104/930/CDV
COMMITTEE DRAFT FOR VOTE (CDV)
PROJECT NUMBER:
IEC 60068-2-17 ED5
DATE OF CIRCULATION: CLOSING DATE FOR VOTING:
2022-06-24 2022-09-16
SUPERSEDES DOCUMENTS:
104/909/CD, 104/922A/CC
IEC TC 104 : ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS, CLASSIFICATION AND METHODS OF TEST
SECRETARIAT: SECRETARY:
Sweden Mr Henrik Lagerström
OF INTEREST TO THE FOLLOWING COMMITTEES: PROPOSED HORIZONTAL STANDARD:
Other TC/SCs are requested to indicate their interest, if
any, in this CDV to the secretary.
FUNCTIONS CONCERNED:
EMC ENVIRONMENT QUALITY ASSURANCE SAFETY

SUBMITTED FOR CENELEC PARALLEL VOTING NOT SUBMITTED FOR CENELEC PARALLEL VOTING

Attention IEC-CENELEC parallel voting
The attention of IEC National Committees, members of
CENELEC, is drawn to the fact that this Committee Draft
for Vote (CDV) is submitted for parallel voting.
The CENELEC members are invited to vote through the
CENELEC online voting system.

This document is still under study and subject to change. It should not be used for reference purposes.

Recipients of this document are invited to submit, with their comments, notification of any relevant patent rights of

which they are aware and to provide supporting documentation.
TITLE:
Basic environmental testing procedures - Part 2-17: Tests - Test Q: Sealing
PROPOSED STABILITY DATE: 2027
NOTE FROM TC/SC OFFICERS:

Copyright © 2022 International Electrotechnical Commission, IEC. All rights reserved. It is permitted to

download this electronic file, to make a copy and to print out the content for the sole purpose of preparing National

Committee positions. You may not copy or "mirror" the file or printed version of the document, or any part of it, for

any other purpose without permission in writing from IEC.
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1 CONTENTS
4 Page

6 FOREWORD ............................................................................................................................................ 6

7 Survey of sealing tests ............................................................................................................................. 7

8 1 Scope ............................................................................................................................................... 8

9 2 Normative references ....................................................................................................................... 8

10 3 Terms and definitions ....................................................................................................................... 8

11 4 Test Qa: Sealing of bushes, spindles and gaskets ........................................................................ 10

12 4.1 Object ................................................................................................................................... 10

13 4.2 Scope ................................................................................................................................... 10

14 4.3 General description of the test ............................................................................................. 10

15 4.4 Initial measurements ............................................................................................................ 10

16 4.5 Conditioning ......................................................................................................................... 10

17 4.6 Final measurements ............................................................................................................. 10

18 4.7 Information to be given in the relevant specification ............................................................ 10

19 5 Test Qc: Container sealing, gas leakage ....................................................................................... 11

20 5.1 Object ................................................................................................................................... 11

21 5.2 Scope ................................................................................................................................... 11

22 5.3 General description of the test ............................................................................................. 11

23 5.4 Test Method 1 ...................................................................................................................... 11

24 5.5 Test Method 2 ...................................................................................................................... 12

25 5.6 Test Method 3 ...................................................................................................................... 12

26 5.7 Information to be given in the relevant specification ............................................................ 12

27 6 Test Qd: Container sealing, seepage of filling liquid ...................................................................... 13

28 6.1 Object ................................................................................................................................... 13

29 6.2 Scope ................................................................................................................................... 13

30 6.3 General description of the test ............................................................................................. 13

31 6.4 Severities ............................................................................................................................. 13

32 6.5 Preconditioning .................................................................................................................... 13

33 6.6 Initial measurements ............................................................................................................ 13

34 6.7 Conditioning ......................................................................................................................... 13

35 6.8 Final measurements ............................................................................................................. 14

36 6.9 Information to be given in the relevant specification ............................................................ 14

37 7 Test Qf: Immersion ......................................................................................................................... 14

38 7.1 Object ................................................................................................................................... 14

39 7.2 General description of the test ............................................................................................. 14

40 7.3 Initial measurements ............................................................................................................ 14

41 7.4 Preconditioning .................................................................................................................... 14

42 7.5 Conditioning ......................................................................................................................... 14

43 7.6 Recovery .............................................................................................................................. 15

44 7.7 Final measurements ............................................................................................................. 15

45 7.8 Information to be given in the relevant specification ............................................................ 15

46 8 Test Qk: Sealing tracer gas method with mass spectrometer ....................................................... 16

47 8.1 Object ................................................................................................................................... 16

48 8.2 Scope ................................................................................................................................... 16

49 8.3 General description of the test ............................................................................................. 16

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50 8.4 Test Method 1 ...................................................................................................................... 17

51 8.5 Test Method 2 ...................................................................................................................... 20

52 8.6 Test Method 3 ...................................................................................................................... 21

53 8.7 Information to be given in the relevant specification ............................................................ 21

54 9 Test Ql: Bomb pressure test........................................................................................................... 22

55 9.1 Object ................................................................................................................................... 22

56 9.2 Scope ................................................................................................................................... 22

57 9.3 General description of the test ............................................................................................. 22

58 9.4 Initial measurements ............................................................................................................ 22

59 9.5 Conditioning ......................................................................................................................... 22

60 9.6 Recovery .............................................................................................................................. 23

61 9.7 Final measurements ............................................................................................................. 23

62 9.8 Information to be given in the relevant specification ............................................................ 23

63 10 Test Qm: Tracer gas sealing test with internal pressurization ....................................................... 23

64 10.1 Object ................................................................................................................................... 23

65 10.2 Scope ................................................................................................................................... 24

66 10.3 General description of the test ............................................................................................. 24

67 10.4 Preconditioning .................................................................................................................... 24

68 10.5 Conditioning ......................................................................................................................... 24

69 10.6 Information to be given in the relevant specification ............................................................ 26

70 11 Test Qy: Pressure rise sealing test ................................................................................................ 26

71 11.1 Object ................................................................................................................................... 26

72 11.2 Scope ................................................................................................................................... 26

73 11.3 General description of the test ............................................................................................. 26

74 11.4 Calibration of the test equipment ......................................................................................... 28

75 11.5 Information to be given in the relevant specification ............................................................ 28

76 12 Information to be given in the test report ........................................................................................ 29

77 Annex A Example of an apparatus for Test Qa: Sealing of bushes, spindles and gaskets .................. 30

78 Annex B Guidance for Test Qc: Container sealing, gas leakage .......................................................... 33

79 Annex C Guidance for Test Qd: Container sealing, seepage of filling liquid ........................................ 35

80 Annex D Interrelation of test parameters for Test Qk: Sealing tracer gas method with mass

81 spectrometer .................................................................................................................................. 36

82 Annex E Guidance for test Qk: Sealing tracer gas method with mass spectrometer ........................... 39

83 Annex F Guidance for Test Ql: Bomb pressure test ............................................................................. 43

84 Annex G Guidance for Test Qm: Tracer gas sealing test with internal pressurization.......................... 44

85 Annex H Guidance for Test Qy: Pressure rise sealing test ................................................................... 47

86 Bibliography ........................................................................................................................................... 49

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89 INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
90 –––––––––
91 ENVIRONMENTAL TESTING –
92 Part 2-17: Tests –
93 Test Q: Sealing
96 FOREWORD

97 1) The IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) is a worldwide organization for standardization comprising

98 all national electrotechnical committees (IEC National Committees). The object of the IEC is to promote

99 international co-operation on all questions concerning standardization in the electrical and electronic fields. To

100 this end and in addition to other activities, the IEC publishes International Standards. Their preparation is

101 entrusted to technical committees; any IEC National Committee interested in the subject dealt with may

102 participate in this preparatory work. International, governmental and non-governmental organizations liaising

103 with the IEC also participate in this preparation. The IEC collaborates closely with the International

104 Organization for Standardization (ISO) in accordance with conditions determined by agreement between the

105 two organizations.

106 2) The formal decisions or agreements of the IEC on technical matters express, as nearly as possible, an

107 international consensus of opinion on the relevant subjects since each technical committee has representation

108 from all interested National Committees.

109 3) The documents produced have the form of recommendations for international use and are published in the form

110 of standards, technical specifications, technical reports or guides and they are accepted by the National

111 Committees in that sense.

112 4) In order to promote international unification, IEC National Committees undertake to apply IEC International

113 Standards transparently to the maximum extent possible in their national and regional standards. Any

114 divergence between the IEC Standard and the corresponding national or regional standard shall be clearly

115 indicated in the latter.

116 5) The IEC provides no marking procedure to indicate its approval and cannot be rendered responsible for any

117 equipment declared to be in conformity with one of its standards.

118 6) Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this International Standard may be the subject

119 of patent rights. The IEC shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.

120

121 International Standard IEC 60068-2-17 has been prepared by IEC Technical Committee 104:

122 Environmental conditions, classification and methods of test.
123

124 The present edition supersedes the fourth edition (1997) and the amendments 1 (1985), 2 (1987), 3

125 (1989) and 4 (1991).
126

127 The text of this standard is based on the third edition (1978) and amendments 1 (1985), 2 (1987), 3

128 (1989), 4 (1991) and on the following documents:
DIS Report on voting
50(CO)261 50(CO)264

129 Full information on the voting for the approval of this standard can be found in the report on voting

130 indicated in the above table.
131
132 Annexes A to H form an integral part of this standard.
133

134 The committee has decided that the contents of this publication will remain unchanged until 2026. At

135 this date, the publication will be
136 • reconfirmed;
137 • withdrawn;
138 • replaced by a revised edition, or
139 • amended.
140
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141 SURVEY OF SEALING TESTS
142 General

143 This survey indicates the interrelation between the various tests for sealing in Test Q of

144 IEC 60068. Other tests of this category are rain and water tests which are to be included as

145 Tests R. At the same time the opportunity has been taken to make reference to similar tests in

146 IEC 60529.
147 Tests in IEC 60068-2-17

148 Test Q: Sealing, includes several tests which use different conditioning procedures

149 appropriate for different applications.
150 The family tree of all sealing tests is shown in Figure 1.
151
152 Figure 1 – Family tree of all sealing tests

153 Test Q may be subdivided in the following two subgroups, distinguished by their detection

154 methods:

155 – internal detection, which measures changes of electrical characteristics produced by the

156 test medium (liquid or gas) introduced into the specimens through the leak;

157 – external detection, whereby the escape of the test medium through the leak is observed.

158 The two tests for internal detection Qf and Ql are very similar. They are very effective for

159 certain components, for example plastic-foil capacitors; they are not recommended, however,

160 for components in which electrical changes become effective only after a long time (for

161 instance, after the test is terminated).
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162 The tests for external detection are further subdivided according to their application. Test Qa

163 is a bubble test which is used to determine the airtightness of bushes, spindles and gaskets.

164 The other tests, Qc, Qd, Qk and Qm, are used to determine leaks in containers (metallic

165 cases, housings, etc.).

166 Test Qc is a bubble test again including three methods with different sensitivities (leaks not

167 less than 1 Pa · cm /s). Test Qd is a liquid seepage test which may be applied to specimens

168 filled during manufacture with a liquid or a product becoming liquid at the test temperature.

169 Test Qk and Qm are the most sensitive of this series. Their sensitivity ranges from 1 Pa · cm /s

–6 3
170 to about 10 Pa · cm /s.
171 Tests in IEC 60529

172 In IEC 60529, degrees of protection are established by tests and identified by numerals as

173 follows:

174 Table 1 – Degree of protection against access to hazardous parts and against solid foreign

175 objects indicated by the first characteristic numeral
First
Degree of protection
charac-
teristic
numeral
Short description Definition
0 Non-protected No special protection

1 Protected against solid objects greater A large surface of the body, such as a hand (but no

than 50 mm protection against deliberate access). Solid objects
exceeding 50 mm in diameter

2 Protected against solid objects greater Fingers or similar objects not exceeding 80 mm in

than 12 mm length. Solid objects exceeding 12 mm in diameter

3 Protected against solid objects greater Tools, wires, etc., of diameter or thickness greater

than 2,5 mm than 2,5 mm. Solid objects exceeding 2,5 mm in
diameter

4 Protected against solid objects greater Wires or strips of thickness greater than 2,5 mm.

than 1,0 mm Solid objects exceeding 1,0 mm in diameter
5 Dust-protected Ingress of dust is not totally prevented but dust does
not enter in sufficient quantity to interfere with
satisfactory operation of the equipment
6 Dust-tight No ingress of dust
176
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177 Table 2 – Degrees of protection against ingress of water indicated by the second characteristic

178 numeral
Second
Degree of protection
charac-
teristic
numeral
Short description Definition
0 Non-protected No special protection

1 Protected against dripping water Dripping water (vertically falling drops) shall have no

harmful effect

2 Protected against dripping water when Vertically dripping water shall have no harmful effect

tilted up to 15° when the enclosure is tilted at any angle up to 15°
from its normal position

3 Protected against spraying water Water falling as a spray at an angle up to 60° from

the vertical shall have no harmful effect

4 Protected against splashing water Water splashed against the enclosure from any

direction shall have no harmful effect
5 Protected against water jets Water projected by a nozzle against the enclosure
from any direction shall have no harmful effect

6 Protected against heavy seas Water from heavy seas or water projected in powerful

jets shall not enter the enclosure in harmful quantities

7 Protected against the effects of Ingress of water in a harmful quantity shall not be

immersion possible when the enclosure is immersed in water
under defined conditions of pressure and time

8 Protected against submersion The equipment is suitable for continuous submersion

in water under conditions which shall be specified by
the manufacturer
NOTE Normally, this will mean that the equipment is
hermetically sealed. However, with certain types of
equipment it can mean that water can enter but only
in such a manner that it produces no harmful effects
179
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180 BASIC ENVIRONMENTAL TESTING PROCEDURES –
181 Part 2: Tests – Test Q: Sealing
182 1 Scope

183 This part of IEC 60068 deals with seal tests applicable to external and internal detection in

184 container sealing gross leaks and fine leaks to determine the effectiveness of seals of

185 specimens. For further tests to verify the ability of enclosures, covers and seals, IEC 60068-2-

186 18 may be helpful.
187 2 Normative references

188 The following documents are referred to in text in such a way that some or all their content

189 constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited

190 applies. For undated references, the latest edition of referenced document (including any

191 amendment) applies.
192 IEC 60068-1, Environmental testing – Part 1: General and guidance
193 3 Terms and definitions

194 ISO and IEC maintain terminological databases for use un standardization at the following

195 addresses:
196 • IEC Electropedia: available at http://www.electropedia.org/
197 • ISO online browsing platform: available at http://www.iso.org/obp
198 For the purpose of this part of IEC 60068 the following definitions apply.
199 3.1
200 Leak rate

201 quantity of a dry gas at a given temperature that flows through a leak per unit of time and for

202 known difference of pressure across the leak.
203 3.2
204 Standard leak rate

205 leak rate under standard conditions of temperature and pressure difference. For this test, the

206 standard conditions are 25 °C and 10 Pa.
207 3.3
208 Measured leak rate
209 R

210 leak rate of a given device as measured under specified conditions and employing a specified

211 test gas.

212 Note 1 to entry: Measured leak rates are often determined with helium employed as the test gas under a pressure

213 difference of 10 Pa at 25 °C. For the purpose of comparison with leak rates determined by other methods of

214 testing, the leak rates must be converted to equivalent standard leak rates.
215 3.4
216 Equivalent standard leak rate
217 L
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218 standard leak rate of a given device in Pa · cm /s, with air as the test gas.

219 3.5
220 Time constant,
221 

222 time required for equalization of partial pressure difference across a leak if the initial rate of

223 change of that pressure difference were maintained.

224 Note 1 to entry: For the purpose of this test, the time constant is equal to the quotient of the internal volume of

225 the specimen and the equivalent standard leak rate.
226 3.6
227 Gross leak
228 any leak with an equivalent standard leak rate greater than 1 Pa · cm /s.
229 3.7
230 Fine leak
231 any leak with an equivalent standard leak rate smaller than 1 Pa · cm /s.
232 3.8
233 Virtual leak

234 semblance of a leak caused by slow release of absorbed, adsorbed or occluded gas.

235 3.9
236 Leakage meter,

237 apparatus consisting of a hand probe for taking a sample of gas mixture and a meter

238 providing a graduated display of the concentration of a predetermined type of gas in the

239 sample.
240 3.10
241 Volume of measurement,
242 Vm

243 volume contained between the gaslight sheath collecting the leakage and the specimen.

244 3.11
245 Leak detector,

246 apparatus consisting of a hand probe for taking a sample of gas mixture and a device

247 sensitive to the presence of a predetermined type of gas and emitting a signal, either acoustic

248 or visual, when the concentration of a predetermined type of gas reaches a pre-set threshold

249 level.
250 3.12
251 Probing,
252 DEPRECATED: sniffing

253 action of slowly moving the probe of a leak detector along a specimen to locate the leaks.

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254 4 Test Qa: Sealing of bushes, spindles and gaskets
255 4.1 Object

256 To determine the effectiveness of seals of bushes, spindles and similar features. For this test,

257 two types of seals shall be considered:
2 2

258 – Type A: 100 kPa (10 N/cm ) to 110 kPa (11 N/cm ) in the direction specified in the

259 relevant specification.
2 2
260 – Type B: 100 kPa (10 N/cm ) to 110 kPa (11 N/cm ) in each direction.
261 4.2 Scope
262 This test can be used for the detection of gross leaks.
263 4.3 General description of the test

264 The specimen is mounted on the lid at a pressurized test chamber which is submerged in a

265 liquid. If the specimen leaks, the air escaping is collected. The amount of air collected per

266 time is a measure of the air leakage. A suitable test apparatus is described in Annex A.

267 4.4 Initial measurements
268 There are no initial measurements required for Test Qa.
269 4.5 Conditioning

270 Unless otherwise specified, an air pressure difference, as specified below, shall be applied

271 across each seal or simultaneously across a group of seals forming an assembly.

2 2

272 − Type A: 100 kPa (10 N/cm ) to 110 kPa (11 N/cm ) in the direction specified in the

273 relevant specification.
2 2
274 − Type B: 100 kPa (10 N/cm ) to 110 kPa (11 N/cm ) in each direction.
2 2

275 Where a higher pressure is required, it shall be 340 kPa (34 N/cm ) to 360 kPa (36 N/cm ).

276 NOTE The test apparatus described in Annex A may not be suitable for these higher pressures.

277 Type B seals shall be tested both in a static condition and while being mechanically operated

278 as required by the relevant specification.
279 4.6 Final measurements

280 The rate of leakage shall be measured. The limit shall be prescribed in the relevant

281 specification.
282 4.7 Information to be given in the relevant specification

283 When this test is included in the relevant specification, the following details shall be given as

284 far as they are applicable:
285 Subclause
286 a) Requirements for pressure 4.5
287 b) Direction of application of pressure difference 4.5
288 c) Mechanical operation during conditioning 4.5
289 d) Requirements for leakage rate 4.6
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290 5 Test Qc: Container sealing, gas leakage
291 5.1 Object

292 To determine the effectiveness of seals of specimens having an included gas-filled space

293 (e.g. specimens not completely filled with impregnant).
294 5.2 Scope

295 This test can be used for the detection of leak rates greater than (100, 10 or 1) Pa · cm /s

296 according to the method chosen. Test Methods 1 and 3 are a
...