How can you make an enclosure completely watertight?
Short answer
To keep an enclosure completely watertight, specify an ingress protection (IP) rating of at least IP67/IP68, which will resist continuous immersion in at least one metre of water, and consider adding a resin filling. A resin fill is a cost-efficient, reliable way to prevent damage caused by moisture penetration and can be applied retroactively to many existing enclosures, including our Abox Pro range. In the Abox Pro XT, a flexible polymer is poured once the electrical equipment is in place, and a vent allows air to escape so that no pockets form as the filling cools. Our enclosures are rated up to IP69.
Where an enclosure has to be completely watertight, we recommend an ingress protection (IP) rating of at least IP67/IP68, as this will ensure the enclosure can resist continuous immersion in at least one metre of water. For full watertightness, that rating is best combined with a resin filling.
There are many scenarios where an enclosure may need to resist partial or full submersion in water, including those used in outdoor areas prone to flooding, those used by the shipping industry, and a range of other residential, commercial and industrial settings.
One of the most cost-efficient and reliable solutions for making an enclosure extremely watertight is the addition of a resin filling. This prevents damage caused by moisture penetration and has the added benefit of being retroactively compatible with many existing enclosures, like our Abox Pro range, which was designed with projects like this in mind.
The Abox Pro XT was created to be extremely watertight, giving protection in the most demanding environments such as onboard boats and within harbour settings, as well as in agricultural and industrial environments. Once the electrical equipment is in place, the enclosures can be filled with a flexible polymer to ensure absolute watertightness. The enclosure design includes a vent that allows air to escape, preventing pockets from forming as the filling cools and helping to maintain the unit’s integrity.
For projects that require substantial levels of protection from water, you may also need to consider chemical resistance as well as impact, heat and exposure to direct sunlight. The Abox Pro range is manufactured from high-performance polycarbonate for complete resistance to UV damage without adding excess weight. All the enclosures in the range come with DNV certification and benefit from testing relevant to the shipping and maritime sector, as well as meeting the stringent requirements of the German VDE mark.
Our enclosures are rated up to IP69, preventing the ingress of high-pressure and high-temperature water jets as well as protecting against continual immersion in water.
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