GORE® Protective Vents for Solar Energy Systems
VENTING TO IMPROVE PERFORMANCE, VALUE AND PROFIT

Solar energy systems are challenged by the changing demands of evolving technologies, by harsh operating conditions that can threaten performance, and by customer demands for decades-long service life. Advanced venting solutions from Gore can help reduce engineering complexity and fabrication costs while maintaining higher system efficiency over the long lifespan customers expect. GORE Protective Vents for solar system housings are engineered to deliver higher performance over the long term, helping solar systems to do the same. 

Problems for Outdoor Electronics

Electronic enclosures that are installed outdoors are vulnerable to a wide range of environmental hazards that can affect the performance, reliability and life expectancy of the sensitive electronics within.

GORE Protective Vents equalize overpressures and vacuums that would stress the seals of outdoor telecom enclosures.

GORE® Vents protects seals from stress by continuously equalizing over-pressures or vacuums within

Pressure differentials are created when a sealed enclosure is exposed to rapid, extreme or recurring changes in ambient conditions. Extreme changes in temperature (a sudden thunderstorm on a hot, sunny day), altitude changes (in transit), or the repetitive heating and cooling cycles of internal telecommunications components — any of these can cause a pressure differential within a sealed enclosure. A rapid decrease in temperature, for example, can create a vacuum inside the enclosure. If this pressure differential is not dissipated, the vacuum places continual stress on the housing seals. Over time, this can cause seals to fail, allowing moisture and other contaminants such as dust, dirt and other particulates to be drawn inside, and compromising the functionality of components like telecom air filters, for example.

GORE® Protective Vents allow moisture to escape from electronics enclosures for heavy-duty equipment.
Moisture can also get inside telecommunication enclosures by diffusion — the process by which vapor moves by natural molecular motion through the walls of a polymer enclosure. When water vapor enters a sealed enclosure and has no way to escape, it will condense to a liquid state. If this condensation remains inside the sealed enclosure, it can compromise lens function and corrode sensitive electronics and battery contacts used in “hot” telecommunication systems, or those used for network cabinet cooling.
Reliable Solutions with GORE Protective Vents

GORE Protective Vents for Solar Energy Systems are proven to:

GORE Protective Vents rapidly equalize pressure differentials within sealed enclosures, effectively preventing the internal vacuums or pressure build-ups that stress housing seals. In non-vented housings, pressure differentials as low as 70 mbar (1 psi) can cause seals to leak after repeated temperature cycles. GORE Vents reliably protect against premature seal failure, to preserve the integrity of the enclosure.

Equalize Pressures to Protect Housing Enclosures and Seals

GORE Protective Vents reliably block ingress of a wide range of contaminants, from rain and insects to dirt, dust, sand and other particulates. Yet GORE Vents allow air molecules to pass through, preventing the formation of vacuums that could pull external contaminants in. With vents from Gore, components perform reliably, with lower maintenance or warranty costs.

Air passes through the membrane. Liquids and particles are repelled.

GORE Protective Vents enable water vapor molecules to diffuse through the microporous membrane, and pass freely out of the enclosure. By reducing the amount of internal moisture, internal surfaces such as lenses are protected from condensation, and electronics are protected from premature failure due to corrosion.

Water vapor molecules pass through the membrane

During normal operation and recharging cycles, batteries can generate heat and emit hydrogen or other gases. This can create a hazardous, or even explosive, situation. GORE Protective Vents effectively dissipate hazardous gas molecules. By continuously equalizing pressures inside and outside the battery compartment, they reduce explosion hazards, while maintaining an effective barrier to liquids and particulates.

Gas molecules pass through the membrane
Protective Vents for Outdoor Electronics
Product Comparison

A choice of adhesive, screw-in and snap-in constructions offer production flexibility, and easy integration into any enclosure. For custom venting solutions, Gore can partner with you on everything from initial design to production-line integration.

Screw-In vents provide durable protection against water, salts and corrosive liquids, even after immersion. The threaded shaft and durable O-ring provide increased mechanical stability, and these hydrolytically-stable vents are UV- and temperature-resistant, for added durability and longer product life. Designed for easy installation in any application, these rugged vents come in different styles:

GORE PolyVent XS GORE® PolyVent XS 
has a compact, low-profile design that meets some of the industry’s toughest standards, making it ideal for today’s smaller (up to 2 l) housings.
GORE PolyVent Standard GORE® PolyVent Standard (M12x1 and M12x1.5)
offers reliable venting for volumes up to 5 l, and comes in two colors and two thread sizes for different wall thicknesses. The longer thread (M12x1.5) can be installed with or without counter nut.
GORE PolyVent High Airflow GORE® PolyVent High Airflow (M12x1.5)
has the protection level of “Standard” – with nearly ten times the airflow. For housings up to 50 liters, it easily manages the strong pressure differentials caused by extreme weather.
GORE PolyVent XL GORE® PolyVent XL
maintains exceptionally high airflow in extra-large enclosures (volumes up to 200 l) and meets the most rigorous standards, such as solar resistance (IEC 62108).
GORE PolyVent Stainless Steel with IK10 ENHANCED: GORE® PolyVent Stainless Steel
now with IK10, delivers the highest mechanical impact resistance as exceptional durability, corrosion- and chemical resistance, to reliably protect enclosures up to 20 liters in the most rugged environments.
GORE PolyVent Ex+ GORE PolyVent Ex+
is both IECEx and ATEX certified for equipment operating in potentially explosive environments and offers exceptional venting performance for enclosures up to 20 liters in volume. More information on the product.

Snap-In Vents deliver robust venting performance and consistent, long-lasting protection in very harsh environments. Engineered specifically for high-throughput production applications, these vents can be quickly installed with semi- or fully- automated equipment. Most products in this series are individually laser-marked, for full product traceability. Four performance options are available to accommodate different housing sizes and provide varying speeds of pressure equalization:

GORE PolyVent Hysi GORE® PolyVent Hysi
offers fast, economical integration, and the option to inside-mount for nearly-invisible installation. For enclosure volumes up to 2 liters.
GORE PolyVent XS NEW: GORE® PolyVent XS
is 30% smaller than PolyVent Standard, for light-weight, thin-walled enclosures with volumes up to 5 liters.
GORE PolyVent Standard GORE® PolyVent Standard
offers reliable performance in many applications, for enclosure volumes up to 5 liters.
GORE PolyVent High Airflow GORE® PolyVent High Airflow,
in hydrophobic or oleophobic versions, delivers high airflow for enclosure volumes up to 30 liters.

Low-profile adhesive vents provide the flexible integration options for almost any application. They can be installed quickly and easily on the interior or exterior of an enclosure, using manual or automated processes. While these vents can easily be customized for the demands and geometry of a specific application, our standard product portfolio offers a wide variety of sizes, designs and constructions.

Existing customers using parts not listed here, please contact us.

GORE Adhesive Vent VE7 GORE® Adhesive Vent Series VE7
For enclosures with rough or smooth surfaces. These durable all membrane constructions offer high temperature stability.
GORE Adhesive Vent VE8

GORE® Adhesive Vent Series VE8
For interior housing mount applications requiring high airflow with oleophobicity.

GORE Adhesive Vent VE9

GORE® Adhesive Vent Series VE9
For enclosures with rough or smooth surfaces. These durable all membrane constructions offer high temperature stability and are engineered for higher airflow.

Weldable membrane vents are engineered for low-profile solar energy system applications that demand fast, secure integration via heat or ultrasonic welding. Readily dispensable from the roll, they are ideal for high-throughput production in fully- or semi-automated processes. Constructed of durable, 100% ePTFE membrane, these vents are rated UL 94-V0 for flammability, and UL 746C for UV resistance.

GORE Weldable Membrane Vent

GORE® Weldable Membrane Vent VE0001SLR
For solar energy system applications using automated heat or ultrasonic welding processes to achieve the most robust mechanical bond to interior and/or exterior housing surfaces.

Applications
Venting Solutions for a Variety of Solar Applications
Junction Box
Junction Box Water can cause corrosion and shorts to the electronics in junction boxes. By equalizing pressure inside the box, GORE Protective Vents prevent stress on the housing seals, so water cannot enter.
CPV Modules
CPV Modules The large dimensions of the CPV modules make them susceptible to pressure differentials caused by temperature changes. Installing GORE Protective Vents in the housing equalizes pressure and increases efficiency.
String Combiner Box
String Combiner Box Regardless of the size and volume of the string combiner box, Gore can customize a venting solution to ensure the reliability of the seals and gaskets, protecting the connectors from shorts caused by water.
Tracking Equipment
Tracking Equipment Exposure to water and other contaminants can compromise the mechanical components of the tracking system. GORE Protective Vents provide a barrier against liquid and other contaminants that can lead to corrosion.
Micro / String Inverter
Micro / String Inverter Corrosion can quickly damage the sensitive electronics inside the micro/string inverter. GORE Protective Vents prevent degradation by providing a durable barrier against water, oils and other liquids.
Monitoring Equipment
Monitoring Equipment Condensation can compromise the performance of control components. By allowing moisture vapor to diffuse easily, GORE Protective Vents reduce the potential for condensation inside the enclosures.

 

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