Overview

Better Venting Addresses Lighting Industry Challenges
Protective Vents for Lighting Enclosures - Applications

Lighting enclosures are increasingly vulnerable to the demands of evolving technologies: higher-density components create higher internal temperatures and pressures; transparent lenses make condensation more visible and warranty claims more numerous, and LED bulbs demand longer life of the entire system, requiring more robust protection from both contaminants and condensation.

GORE Protective Vents for outdoor lighting enclosures are proven to reduce condensation and contaminants by:

  • providing rapid pressure equalization and release, to extend seal life
  • minimizing condensation through more effective vapor diffusion
  • preventing entry of contaminants like dust, dirt and debris
  • high-performance venting eliminates the need for extra-hardened components, saving weight and costs

GORE® Protective Vents can help your enclosure meet IP and NEMA protection standards. 

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Why Vent?

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.

Problems for Outdoor Electronics:
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:

Equalize Pressures to Protect Housing Enclosures and Seals

Prevent Contamination to Protect Electronics

Reduce Condensation to Protect Against Corrosion

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

Applications

Proven Experience and Expertise in a Broad Variety of Lighting Applications
Industrial / Commercial Outdoor Lighting
Industrial / Commercial Outdoor Lighting Gore has successfully partnered with large manufacturers of industrial and commercial outdoor lights to solve contamination and condensation challenges, and deliver longer lasting lights.
Emergency Lighting
Emergency Lighting Emergency lighting must be ready to function on a moment’s notice. The global engineering team at Gore has a wealth of applications experience to ensure that emergency lighting is fully functional when needed.
Outdoor Decorative Lighting
Outdoor Decorative Lighting Customers expect decorative lights to maintain their appearance over time. Gore has experience collaborating with outdoor decorative lighting manufacturers to solve condensation issues, which can degrade the appearance of lights.
Entertainment Lighting
Entertainment Lighting With a proven track record in venting entertainment lighting, Gore has helped manufacturers design systems that can withstand harsh environments and reliably provide maximum lighting performance.
Marine Lighting
Marine Lighting Marine lighting must be able to withstand water, dirt and debris as well as handle pressure differentials caused by weather changes. Gore’s engineering and materials expertise excels in addressing these challenges.
Ballast and Transformers
Ballast and Transformers Gore has global expertise in solving internal pressure challenges within ballast and transformers. Our team of engineers can be considered an extension of your design team.

 

Product Comparison

Adhesive Vents

Adhesive Series

Screw-in Vents

Screw-In Series

Snap-in Vents

Snap-In Series

IP / NEMA Rating

Better Ingress Protection

Find out which of our vents can help your enclosure deliver the desired protection level according to Ingress Protection (IP) or NEMA Standards.

Resources

Recent News

Event

Webinar: Moisture, the Silent Enemy of Electronics

October 1, 2024

In this FREE WEBINAR, you’ll learn about how to master moisture management in sealed enclosures & protect your battery and electronics.

Event

Discover the world of Gore at IEEE SENSORS 2024 in Kobe, Japan!

October 21, 2024 - October 23, 2024

Join us at IEEE SENSORS 2024 , a renowned event in the field of sensor technology and innovation. We are excited to announce that W. L. GORE & Associates G.K. will be unveiling cutting edge solutions at booth #6 during the conference, from October 21st to October 23rd.

News

8-year field study proves GORE® Protective Vents to be a lasting safeguard

Posted August 13, 2024

Optimizing the performance and durability of outdoor electronics. For electronic equipment to function reliably outdoors, intact sealing of the enclosure is vitally important. Download White Paper as PDF.

Event

Successful Gore exhibition stand at iVT Expo 2024 in Cologne | Germany

June 26, 2024 - June 27, 2024

During the two days at the trade fair in Cologne, Gore presented technologies that help extend the function and service life of industrial vehicles in the harshest environments.

View all News & Events

FOR INDUSTRIAL USE ONLY

Not for use in food, drug, cosmetic or medical device manufacturing, processing, or packaging operations.