AGRO pressure balance elements of A4 stainless steel

The clever, compact and innovative solution prevents pressure differences, temperature fluctuations and condensation in electrical and electronic housings. AGRO’s new, innovative pressure balance element of A4 stainless steel, with M12x1.5 entry thread and high-performance membrane, facilitates quick and reliable air exchange and ensures the housing stays dry inside.

Whether traffic control and signalling technology, street lighting, railway vehicles, distributor housings for energy distribution, or solar energy systems: they must all be able to withstand wind and weather, heat and rain. The same applies to their electronics and electrics. Air pressure, temperature and humidity are constantly changing. Sealed housings are never completely sealed.

Many electrotechnical housings are watertight and dust-tight (IP 68) but not gas-tight. Changing temperatures – for example, due to solar radiation or enclosed electronics – can cause a pressure difference to develop between the housing and the external environment, resulting in the flow of air between the internal and external areas. This allows the entry of air moisture, which begins to condense when the air temperature falls below the dew point. The water that is now present can result in corrosion and defects/malfunctions. This can be prevented by installing AGRO pressure balance elements.

Some products in this field are made of stainless materials for their strength and their resistance to corrosion. AGRO has developed a new, innovative pressure balance element of A4 stainless steel (EN 1.4404 / AISI 316L) for use in stainless housings (patent pending), which is unsurpassed in terms of robustness and offers the highest impact resistance in accordance with IEC EN 62262, Class IK10. It combines high-quality materials with an innovative design and can enduringly withstand the most challenging conditions – from demanding industrial processes involving aggressive cleaning agents and chemicals to harsh environmental conditions in coastal regions or on the ocean.

High-quality materials combined with innovative design to enduringly withstand the most challenging conditions
A high-performance membrane ensures rapid, reliable air exchange with flow rates that are second to none. It is made of PTFE (polyterafluoroethylene) and has pores that are hundreds of times bigger than water vapour molecules, but thousands of times smaller than water droplets. The membrane, which is water- and oil-repellent, offers a very high degree of protection: IP66 / IP68 (0.5bar/1h) / IP69 / IP6K9K. The most effective air exchange (circulation) can be achieved by installing two pressure balance elements opposite one another with an offset between them. The wide temperature range, from -40 °C to +150 °C, is another highlight of the new pressure balance element, which is unique on the market and fulfils every need. The product features an M12x1.5 entry thread. The membrane is RoHS- and REACH-compliant, and free of PFOA and PFOS.

Further information:
AGRO AG | Member of KAISER GROUP, Korbackerweg 7,
CH-5502 Hunzenschwill, Switzerland
Tel.: +41(0)62 889 47 47, Fax: +41(0)62 889 47 50
Email: [email protected]; Internet: www.agro.ch

Picture captions:
Photos: AGRO AG