An IP65-rated lighting fixture normally utilizes a polytetrafluoroethylene membrane (commonly marketed as GORE-TEX®) to equalize the air pressure between the interior of the fixture and the exterior environment. The equalization of the air pressure is an essential part to protecting the seals in the fixture from breaking.
When power is connected to a LED light it generates heat within the light source, which causes the air pressure inside the fixture to increase and the contained air to expand. The expanded air will pass through the polytetrafluoroethylene membrane, equalizing the air pressure both inside and outside the fixture. When the temperature inside the fixture is cooler than the surroundings, the air pressure inside the fixture will be lower than the outside air pressure, causing air to be sucked in via the polytetrafluoroethylene membrane until pressure is equalized. However, if the surrounding air contains humidity, this will be sucked into the fixture along with the air, since the polytetrafluoroethylene membrane cannot prevent humid air and other gasses from entering the fixture. Ultimately, this process increases humidity level inside the fixture.
When the humidity concentration reaches a certain level inside the fixture, it will eventually condensate and lead to corrosion. This process, then, leads to a degeneration of the lighting fixture as well as a reduction in the product’s lifetime. Along with humidity, air pollution that contains H2SO4 (sulfuric acid) will unhindered enter through the polytetrafluoroethylene membrane and into the lighting fixture, further causing destructive corrosion.
SGM’s patented DEHUMIDIFIER, incorporated in the SGM product range, constantly* removes trapped hydrogen from inside of the lighting fixture in a solid state electrolytic process with no moving parts. SGM’s DEHUMIDIFIER breaks down corrosive H2SO4 molecules, deriving from polluted air, and eliminates the effects hereof. Hereby, the unique process eliminates any risk of humidity, which would otherwise lead to condensation and corrosion.
