Campbell cs215, Instruction Manual

Page: 35 / 44

Appendix C. Environmental
Performance
This appendix details tests and limitations of the sensor when exposed to extremes of the
environment.
C.1 Tests to Defined Standards
The sensor element has been tested by the manufacturer and found to comply
with various environmental test standards as shown in the table below:
TABLE C-1. Environmental Tests
Environment Norm Results
Temperature Cycles JESD22-A104-B
–40/+125 °C, 1000
cycles
Within
Specifications
HAST Pressure
Cooker
JESD22-A110-B 2.3bar
125 °C 85%RH
Reversible shift by
+2% RH
Salt Atmosphere DIN-50021SS Within
Specifications
Condensing Air – Within
Specifications
Freezing Cycles Fully
Submerged
–20/+90 °C, 100cycles,
30min dwell time
Reversible shift by
+2% RH
Various Automotive
Chemicals
DIN 72300-5 Within
Specifications
Cigarette Smoke Equivalent to 15 years in
a mid-size car
Within
Specifications
N.B. The temperature sensor passed all tests without any detectable drift. Package and
electronics also passed 100%
C.2 Exposure to Pollutants
All capacitive sensors are susceptible to pollutants to some degree. The vapors
may interfere with the polymer layers used in the structure of the sensing
element. The diffusion of chemicals into the polymer may cause temporary or
even permanent shifts in both offset and sensitivity.
After low levels of exposure, in a clean environment the contaminants will
slowly outgas and the sensor recovers. High levels of pollutants may cause
permanent damage to the sensing polymer.
As a general rule, the sensor will not be damaged by levels of chemicals which
are not too dangerous to human health (see TABLE C-1), so damage is not
normally a problem in outdoor applications. Avoid exposing the sensor to
chemicals at higher concentrations.
C-1