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DO-160-Section-6-Humidity

RTCA DO-160 Section 6.0 Humidity Testing

The purpose of RTCA DO-160 humidity testing is to determine the ability of equipment to withstand humid atmospheres. These atmospheric conditions could be either natural or induced. Humidity testing labs test to this standard to determine corrosion and other equipment changes. These changes could include mechanical, electrical, chemical or thermal.

RTCA/DO-160G Section 6.0 Humidity Testing Summary:

RTCA DO-160 section 6.0 classifies equipment in one of three categories; standard, severe and external.

RTCA DO-160G Section 6.0 Humidity Testing Category A Standard Humidity Environment: The standard humidity environment ordinarily provides an adequate test environment for equipment intended for installation in civil aircraft, non-civil transport aircraft and other classes, within environmentally controlled compartments of aircraft in which the severe humidity environment is not normally encountered. Equipment meeting this description must go through RTCA-DO-160 humidity testing.

RTCA DO-160G Section 6.0 Humidity Testing Category B Severe Humidity Environment: Equipment installed in zones not environmentally controlled may be required to be operated under conditions such that it is subjected to a more severe atmospheric humidity

environment for periods of time in excess of that specified for the standard humidity environment. Equipment meeting this description must go through RTCA-DO-160 humidity testing.

RTCA DO-160G Section 6.0 Humidity Testing Category C External Humidity Environment: Equipment may be required to be operated under conditions such that it is subjected to direct contact with outside air for periods of time in excess of that specified for the standard humidity environment. Equipment meeting this description must go through RTCA-DO-160 humidity tests.

The process of testing that an RTCA DO-160G test lab will follow will depend on the category. However, in general, the process is a matter of first, exposing the device to a humid atmosphere. A series of temperature and humidity changes will then occur over a specified period of time. Upon completion of the humidity tests, electronic devices will be powered on. A functional check will be run. For equipment that does not require electrical power, the device is exposed to temperature and a functional check is made.

Why Are Humidity Tests Important?

As previously mentioned, humidity can wreak havoc on equipment. The most common issue is corrosion. This corrosion impacts different components in different ways. For instance, metals the corrode can lose mechanical functionality. Electrical components such as conductors and insulators can lose their electrical properties or malfunction. There can be hydroscopic changes to chemicals such as degradation. Components like insulators can see changes to their thermal properties.

Keystone Compliance is a leader in compliance testing to military standards. As an RTCA DO-160G accredited test lab, we have the experience, equipment and resources to meet almost every testing need. With a fleet of reach-in temperature and humidity chambers and walk-in temperature and humidity chambers, Keystone Compliance can test products of any size. In addition to being accredited to complete RTCA-DO-160G testing, Keystone is also accredited to all previous versions of the standard as well. Please contact us to see firsthand why so many manufacturers rely on Keystone Compliance to meet their RTCA DO-160 testing.

Looking for other testing to other sections of RTCA DO-160 testing? Click on the links below:

Modifications from one Version of RTCA DO-160 to the Next:

Changes from DO-160C Humidity Testing to DO-160D Humidity Testing

Editorial changes were made to eliminate redundant description of the test procedures. Velocity of air throughout the exposure area changed from “Shall not exceed 0.75 m/s” to “Between 0.5 and 1.7 m/s”.  Alternative method was added to measure the water pH.

Changes from DO-160D Humidity Testing to DO-160E Humidity Testing

Section 6.3 was modified to allow a + 4 percent tolerance to the relative humidity requirement.

Changes from DO-160E Humidity Testing to DO-160F Humidity Testing

In paragraphs 6.3.1, 6.3.2, and 6.3.3 changed step 2 to 38 degrees to agree with corresponding figure.

Changes from DO-160F Humidity Testing to DO-160G Humidity Testing

Corrected terminology paragraph 6.3, removed word hydroxide.