Waterproof Testing of Cave Lighting LED luminaires

We came to the conclusion that our equipment had to be officially approved by an organization recognized all over the world for our further international development. That is why we applied to VDE Association for Electrical, Electronic & Information Technologies.

IPx5, IPx6, IPx7 and IPx8 tests were decided to be done after consulting with VDE Institute:

Date of tests: 20.08.2009.

Time of tests: from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Place of tests: Offenbach, VDE Institute, underwater tests laboratory.

Tests were done according to the standards DIN EN 60529 (VDE0470 Teil 1):2000-09;
EN 60529: 1991 + A1:2000.

Protective qualities tested: IPx5, IPx6, IPx7, IPx8.

The tests were carried out in three phases:

30 meters deep, 2 hour long underwater test
50 meters deep, 30 minutes long underwater test
Both tests 1 and 2 were performed in a special simulator. During these tests the luminaires were placed into water, while the equipment cables were out of the water and secured to the dry part of the simulator.
Splash proof test.

This test was performed on a stage with a spinning platform.
Water pressure was 1 atmosphere from the distance of 3 meters during 3 minute period.

Visual inspection of the equipment and its functionability preceded every test. The equipment was then visually inspected after each test and disassembled into pieces for internal inspection. The equipment was then put together and installed for further tests to be done.

Result

All phases of testing were successful. Impermeability remained intact even though the test objects were only ineptly reassembled after being dismantled numerous times. Our products were subsequently granted a certificate. The VDE institute approves installation of GermTec GmbH & Co.KG `Cave Lighting` LED lamps up to a depth of 50 m.