How high humidity affects electronics and how to test it
Making electronics that can function in all sorts of environments can be tricky – so many environmental factors can test device integrity to the limit. High humidity is the sort of challenge lots of products are likely to face, so we’ve put together some advice for manufacturers.
How does high humidity affect electronics?
When it’s humid, the air is filled with moisture – and this can have some big impacts on a huge range of consumer electronics. Dampness can cause rusting and corrosion to the exterior or, if there’s a point of ingress, the interior too. Humid air can also cause electrical faults in the short term, as even small amounts of water can conduct electricity and cause shortages.
This can cause real problems in the kinds of consumer electricals that so many of us rely on every day – from ear buds to smart phones. Whether indoors or outdoors during hot and wet weather conditions, the formation of water droplets caused by humid air hitting cold objects can wreak havoc on personal technology. It can also be a big problem for products that are designed to operate in potentially humid spaces, like bathrooms and kitchens.
Testing whether your products can withstand humid environments with Industrial Physics
We have humidity testing equipment designed to help you test for exactly the kind of conditions your need your products to withstand when they’re in the hands of your customers.
C&W Humidity Cabinet
Allowing you to recreate the conditions of a variety of hot and humid environments, this cabinet is reliable, easy to operate, and has a robust construction. It is able to produce constant or cycling temperatures at high humidity and comes in a variety of sizes, ranging from 100 to 2000 liters – so there’s something to suit whether you’re manufacturing ear buds and watches all the way to TVs and large home appliances. Check out the specs of our popular C&W Humidity Cabinet.
C&W Humidity Conditioning Cabinet
Designed to make it easy to test a whole range of conditions, including variable humidity and temperature humidity as well as environmental, climatic or conditioning factors, this robust cabinet is also easy to use. It comes in a range of sizes and the microprocessor controller has the capacity to store up to seven different test methods, making this a particularly versatile piece of testing kit. Find out more about the C&W Humidity Conditioning Cabinet.
Get some expert advice on humidity testing
As well as offering you expert advice on the kind of humidity testing solutions that will best suit your product line, we will support you at every step of the way – from selection, to installation and ongoing maintenance. We also offer comprehensive training so you can make the most of your machines. If you want to find out more about how we can help you, just get in touch.
FAQs
Dampness can cause rusting and corrosion to the exterior or, if there's a point of ingress, the interior too. Humid air can also cause electrical faults in the short term, as even small amounts of water can conduct electricity and cause shortages.
How does high humidity affect electronics? ›
Electrical Shocks: Moisture can accumulate on the surface of electrical devices, increasing the risk of electrical shocks when touched. Overheating: Excessive moisture can cause your electrical devices to overheat, posing an inconvenience and a potential fire hazard.
Is 90% humidity bad for electronics? ›
Humidity is the amount of water vapor in the air. Most humans prefer indoor conditions to be between 30% and 50% humidity. This is also the ideal range for electronics. In environments where the humidity is higher than 50%, electronics are susceptible to damage.
How does humidity affect electricity? ›
Static electricity builds up during contact between materials as they exchange valence electrons. However, air humidity makes the air more conductive, so it can absorb and more evenly distribute excess charges. As a result, in an environment with high air humidity, objects will not hold static charges quite as well.
How to protect electronics from high humidity? ›
Let your home dehumidifier control what you aren't able to remove on your own, and soon you and your electronics will enjoy a dry and comfortable environment. Use dehumidifiers and air extractors, especially in those areas of the house with high levels of humidity (basem*nts, bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms).
What is the ideal humidity level for electronics? ›
For most electronics manufacturing environments, optimal humidity levels tend to range from 30% to 70%. The ideal humidity level typically depends on factors such as the ambient environment and the specifications of the electrical components and devices being manufactured.
What happens if your humidity is too high? ›
High humidity can cause problems in your home if relative humidity regularly exceeds 60%. When the air contains water vapor above that level, mold and mildew start to grow, while excess moisture can cause rot, damaging your belongings. Let's look at some potential problems.
How much humidity is too much for electronics? ›
To avoid damaging your electronics, aim for a relative indoor humidity that falls between 40% to 50%. You can check your indoor humidity levels using a hygrometer–an inexpensive tool that you should be able to find at most hardware stores.
What humidity is too high for computers? ›
In a data center or computer room, maintaining ambient relative humidity levels between 45% and 55% is recommended for optimal performance and reliability.”
Is 80% humidity bad for computers? ›
Appropriate Computer Room Humidity
There's really no easy answer to this question, as it depends on the exact type of computer and devices stored inside, as well as other environmental factors. With that said, a good rule of thumb is to maintain a relative humidity in the range of 30-40% for most situations.
Short-circuiting occurs when an electrical current travels along an unwanted or unintended path with little to no interference. Since water is a good conductor of electricity, excess moisture can increase the electrical current in dangerous areas with minimal interference.
Does high humidity affect static electricity? ›
In other words: keeping the relative humidity in your home above 40% will help earth static charges and decrease excessive static electricity, while keeping it above 55% will eliminate static charges altogether – creating the perfect environment for comfortable living.
Does humidity affect electrical resistance? ›
a by increasing the relative humidity the resistance begins to decrease from a high value to a lower value.
Can high humidity damage electronics? ›
Electronics are sensitive to extremes of humidity. Conductivity in devices can be modified by high humidity. That can lead to corrosion and malfunction. Condensation (dew point problem) can also be a real problem.
How do you remove humidity from electronics? ›
Use a vacuum cleaner or hand vac if possible. This will draw residual moisture away from the circuitry. But don't hold the vacuum too close, or you'll risk generating static electricity that could damage the device. Try a can of compressed air.
What cancels humidity? ›
Use dehumidifiers and air conditioners, especially in hot, humid climates, to reduce moisture in the air, but be sure that the appliances themselves don't become sources of biological pollutants. Raise the temperature of cold surfaces where moisture condenses. Use insulation or storm windows.
What happens when humidity is too high in a computer room? ›
If a data center becomes too humid, data centers run the risk of having condensation form. Moisture on motherboards, in hard drives, and in connecting sockets will quickly lead to damage, corrosion, and eventually, equipment failure.
What humidity level is bad for computers? ›
Most computer equipment can operate in a wide range (20 to 80 percent), but the range of 45 to 50 percent is recommended for the following reasons: Optimal range helps protect computer systems from corrosion problems associated with high humidity levels.
