724-657-9940
Select Page

DO-160-Section-10-Waterproofness

RTCA DO-160 Section 10.0 Waterproofness Testing

The RTCA DO-160 waterproofness test standard determines whether equipment can withstand liquid ingress. This liquid ingress can occur in one of several different methods. The most prominent is water spray. Other forms of ingress include dripping liquid and condensation.

RTCA/DO-160 testing is not intended to verify the performance of hermetically sealed equipment. Equipment already classified as hermetically sealed may be considered to have met all waterproofness requirements. No additional waterproofness tests are required. Equipment that is hermetically sealed is equipment that has a seal that is permanent and airtight.

RTCA DO-160 Waterproofness Test Equipment Categories:

The DO-160G Section 10 test standard specifies four primary categories of equipment.

Equipment Category Y:

Equipment that is installed in locations where it is subjected to condensing water in the course of normal aircraft operations. For equipment intended for installation in such locations, the condensing water proof test procedure applies. Equipment meeting this description must go through RTCA-DO-160 ingress protection testing.

Equipment Category W

Equipment that is installed in locations where it is subjected to falling water in the course of normal aircraft operations. This falling water is generally due to condensing water. For equipment intended for installation in such locations, the drip proof test procedure of the DO-160G waterproofness testing standard applies. Equipment meeting this description must go through RTCA-DO-160 IP Code testing.

Equipment Category R

Equipment installed in locations where it may be subjected to a driving rain or where water may be sprayed on it from any angle. For equipment intended for installation in such locations, the spray proof test procedure applies. Equipment that has passed the Category R requirements may be considered to meet the Category W requirement. This equipment requires no further testing from the DO-160G test lab.

Equipment Category S

Equipment installed in locations where it may be subjected to the forces of a heavy stream of fluid. Examples of this event include aircraft de-icing, washing or cleaning operations. For equipment intended for installation in such locations, the continuous stream proof procedure applies. Water is used in this test to simulate the actual fluid forces. Equipment that has passed the Category S requirements may be considered to meet the Category W requirements. This equipment requires no further testing from the RTCA DO-160 test lab.

The waterproofness of equipment is also called its ingress protection. Ingress protection or IP Code is a numeric rating that summarizes an enclosures ability to protect equipment from liquids and solids. Waterproofness test labs like Keystone Compliance can test enclosures to an IP Code rating. Solids can include solid objects or dust. Water ingress testing can include dripping water testing, spraying water testing and immersion testing.

IP Code labs can offer various forms of spraying water tests. The spraying water can be from a garden hose to a fire hose. The testing can also include a steam jet with extremely hot water at a high pressure. The immersion testing can be regular water or salt water. The immersion tank testing can also include water of a certain temperature and various depths. For information on our IP Code testing capabilities, please visit our ingress protection testing page.

As an RTCA DO-160G accredited test lab, we have the resources to meet nearly every waterproofness test and ingress protection test need. 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 be their RTCA DO-160 test lab.

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 Waterproofness Testing to DO-160D Waterproofness Testing

Test step that verifies absence of water penetration into test unit following test was deleted because it was not consistent with intent and purpose of test. The test is intended to verify performance of unit following exposure to this environment, not to verify the unit’s ability to keep out water.

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

Minor improvements to pre-heat unit and to reduce risk of thermal shock were made.

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

Drip Rate was changed from 280 l/m2/hr to 140 l/m2/hr.

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

In Figure 10-1, the 75 mm height of water annotation is superseded by a new note that states the volume of water emitted from the drip table must be pre and post calibrated and the level of water in the drip table noted.

Ingress Protection