How ePTFE Venting Improves Sensor and IoT Device Reliability
As devices become more ubiquitous, smarter and smaller, challenges with heat and moisture are prevalent, especially when it comes to the sensitive sensors housed inside IoT smart devices.
Expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) can address some of these concerns because it is porous, allowing moisture and heat to escape while preventing the ingress of debris. ePTFE has been custom-fabricated for vents and for protecting acoustic sensors, pressure sensors and other delicate components.
Why Electronics Enclosures Need Venting
Electronics enclosures and especially the sensors they contain need venting because they are vulnerable to four main hazards:
Heat
All electronics produce heat, which can cause components to overheat and fail prematurely. Heat can increase the device’s failure rate, with the risk potentially doubling for every 10-degree Celsius increase in operating temperature, depending on the component type and failure mechanism. Some modern systems automatically shut off when they overheat, so excessive temperature can also lead to performance issues. ePTFE vent membranes create airflow that allows heat to escape.
Moisture
Heat can create condensation inside sealed electronics enclosures, especially during temperature fluctuations. This moisture can affect sensors, circuits and other components.
Humidity effects on sensor accuracy include particle aggregation, effectively “fooling” the sensor. Water particles also exhibit light-scattering properties, with refraction causing inaccurate readings. Condensation can cause short circuits, direct damage and corrosion, which can damage the sensor. Moisture can also cause sensor drift, the slow degradation of a sensor’s accuracy, even when inputs remain reliable.
ePTFE membranes reduce sensor drift caused by humidity because they prevent condensation in sensor housings and allow water vapor to escape, reducing moisture overall. This is because ePTFE vent membranes are both hydrophobic, repelling water, and porous, allowing moisture to escape.
Pressure
Changes in temperature, altitude, vibration and mechanical force can all cause changes in pressure. ePTFE vent membranes can equalize pressure inside the electronics housing, preventing damage and ensuring accurate readings.
Contaminants
Sensors can become inaccurate or fail when they are exposed to chemicals, debris, dust and other contaminants. Sensors are also vulnerable to oils from fingerprints, which can similarly disrupt the sensor mechanism.
ePTFE vent membranes have small pores, which prevent even minute particles of debris from entering the sensor housing. These ePTFE vent membranes are also chemically resistant, which can protect sensors from chemical contaminants.
How ePTFE Venting Improves IoT Device Reliability
Every connected device in an IoT ecosystem is contained within an enclosure, making venting essential. Venting can also be more complex in this application, since connected devices can all have different venting needs. In addition, devices such as smart cars, wearable tech and appliances can face multilevel threats, such as vibrations, harsh environments and changing pressure all at once.
When one device fails, it can affect the entire ecosystem, making IoT device enclosure venting essential. ePTFE venting is an optimal solution because it is flexible enough to accommodate various connected devices while keeping the entire system functioning.
Contact Us to Discuss Your ePTFE Venting Needs
Trinity Technology Group (TTG) provides ePTFE products, including tailored solutions, microventing ePTFE laminates and more. Review our premium-quality products or contact us to discuss your application or to get a quote.
