Yes. Worldwide, GORE® Protective Vents have been proven to perform reliably in the field, under the harshest conditions, for extended periods of time. To deliver that performance consistently, we validate our products against industry standards through extensive internal and external accelerated life tests, stringent manufacturing quality systems and rigorous product inspection processes.
Our data sheets provide specific tests and performance criteria for each given product and our technical white papers attest to the reliability in rugged conditions.
The life-span of any individual vent depends upon on its application and installation as well as the variable environmental conditions under which it will be operating. We conduct rigorous testing to assure our products’ durability and reliability in varied harsh environmental conditions. Our data sheets show how each product fulfills the performance requirements as measured by:
Yes. GORE® Vents are designed and proven in use to protect enclosures in the harshest environments. We subject our vents to testing according to Ingress Protection (IP) standards from the IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) as well as the NEMA protection levels (from the National Electrical Manufacturers Association).
Our product data sheets will show you the specific protection levels a given vent can offer. To learn about other factors that can affect the level of protection you can achieve, see our FAQs on "Device Design, Vent Selection and Installation."
There is no way to completely eliminate the potential for condensation in any enclosure (even a completely sealed, nonvented enclosure will eventually admit liquid through failed seals or cable connectors, or by diffusion through plastic components such as housing walls).
However, GORE® Protective Vents will successfully minimize the amount of condensation that can remain “trapped” in your enclosure over time. This is because water vapor transfers through the microporous membrane in both directions. Water vapor that has entered can readily pass back out, and it will continue to do so until the enclosure and the outside environment reach equilibrium.
Yes. All GORE® Protective Vents repel water, and offer excellent roll-off properties to help protect against typical environmental conditions such as rain.
Yes. GORE® Protective Vents are also available with durable oleophobic membranes designed to resist a wide range of chemicals like soaps, oils and cleaners. Oleophobic membranes are proven successful for commercial applications where your enclosure is exposed to high-pressure washdowns, harsh or dirty environments, or fluids other than water.
Yes. The GORE™ Membrane of ePTFE is UV-stable by its nature. The plastic material used for Gore PolyVents is suitable for outdoor use according to UL 746C standards.
You can reference our data sheets to review which UL flammability class each product can withstand.
Yes. The GORE® Metal Vent (PMF100444) is certified for ex-rating according to the IEC ATEX directive 94/9/EC for equipment intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres, including:
Yes. Many GORE® Protective Vents are rated to the IP67 submersion standard (1 meter of depth for 30 minutes). They allow devices to remain protected from water and contaminants and still equalize overpressure. We also have specialized GORE®Vents that are designed to withstand greater pressures or longer submersion times.
Based on our experience in venting and expertise in ePTFE membranes, we have developed venting solutions that are performance-optimized for the demands of many different applications.
The Product Comparison and many other resources on our web site will show you the full range of venting solutions offered in our product portfolio.
If your application requires a customized solution, please use our "Finding the Best Fit For Your Application" web form to describe your unique needs, so that we can respond to you with the most appropriate information.