Can BlueTraker handle extreme weather

With vessels dispersed around the world: extremes of temperature (e.g. windchill, humidity, dry air) are all factors for devices that can experience some of the harshest conditions on the planet. This presents a particular design challenge as all elements that makeup BlueTraker have been carefully thought out and our unique double shell housing is no exception.

Temperature Extremes

All electronic equipment has particular temperature thresholds to which they work. For most electronic devices the temperature range is between -20°C and 70°C. For marine electronics, those temperature ranges are very real possibilities with the extremes of weather experienced on the high seas. At BlueTraker we have clients north of the Arctic Circle but also on and around the Equator so temperatures can vary significantly.

Wind-chill

On the seas and oceans, wind speeds tend to be faster than over land because there is little friction over the water. This means that wind-chill is also a very significant factor for exposed electronics. When the wind blows across the surface of an object, it draws the heat away from it. So when the wind picks up speed, it draws more heat away, so if an object is directly exposed to the wind it would cool more quickly than it would on a still day. The surface cools down to the same temperature that is measured in a non-windy area but the time period of surface cooling down is significantly faster. Rapid cooling for electronics is something that can prove problematic so protecting electronics from this accelerated cooling is crucial.

Excessive and Low Humidity

BlueTraker clients are from diverse areas to Tropical, Dry, Temperate and Cold so humidity levels can significantly vary depending upon the location in the world. This is something that needs to be taken into consideration as humidity and electronics do not mix. In areas of high humidity, if water condenses on the componentry then short circuits leading to device failure. In areas of low humidity, there is the potential of static electricity discharge that can cause irreversible damage to components.

So how does a BlueTraker cope with these extremes?

Componentry

Firstly, BlueTraker componentry is specifically chosen so that the temperature range is extended to provide functioning electronics between -50°C to +85°C.

Double Shell Housing

The two housings have a ventilation layer between them which acts as a thermal bridge. In high temperatures, the gap acts as a vent (when exposed to heat from sunlight). In low temperatures the outer shell prevents fast moving cold wind from hitting the inner shell housing, thus eliminating the wind chill factor.

Water and Dust Ingress and Humidity Control

BlueTraker adheres to the IP68 standard, ensuring that the water does not enter and the relative humidity is kept at a constant level. Within the device itself, silica gel desiccant is used so that any moisture within the unit is absorbed and does not condense upon the components, protecting it from any potential shorting.

At BlueTraker we have clients that use our devices both north of the Arctic Circle as well as around the Equator. Our clients continually push their BlueTraker devices to the limit, testing it in some of the most extreme environments on Earth. So when you need your BlueTraker to work…you know it will.

BlueTraker  &  Arion  Communication  Co. exhibit at  Offshore Korea 2016!