Wind and rain test
Wind-Driven Rain Resistance tests are useful to products that are designed for outdoor use in harsh environments. Our services include also icing rain tests in unique walk-in chamber.
Accredited Wind and Rain Tests – Ensure the Weather Resistance of Your Products
Wind and rain tests are a crucial part of product development when it comes to ensuring the reliability of your equipment in outdoor use. Weather resistance tests, condition assessments, and comprehensive environmental tests, conducted in Toptester’s accredited laboratory conditions, simulate natural forces ranging from strong winds to freezing rain.
Toptester’s wind and rain tests allow for wind speeds of up to 67 m/s without splashing water and 40 m/s in combination with rain. We also offer a separate freezing rain test that simulates demanding winter conditions. This ensures the functionality of your products even under extreme weather conditions. By outsourcing your testing to us, you safeguard the quality of your products without investing in expensive equipment and typically receive the results within a few weeks.
Wind and rain tests are often part of comprehensive condition assessments and also support IP protection rating testing in evaluating a product’s watertightness and weather resistance.
What happens during wind and rain tests, and why are they so important?
Wind and rain tests are environmental and reliability tests that assess the durability and reliability of products under various weather conditions. For example, the tests simulate the stresses of strong winds, rain, splashing water, and oblique rain acting on the product’s structure, connections, and surface materials. These tests often also examine the product’s watertightness and are therefore used in IP protection rating tests and water resistance assessments.
These tests ensure that the product maintains its functionality even when used outdoors and under demanding conditions. Wind and rain, for instance, accelerate corrosion and cause premature and excessive wear.
Wind and rain tests simulate harsh natural conditions and their effects on products and their components. By combining wind and rain, the penetration of moisture into products and components can be modeled. This makes the test a valuable tool for product development, even in the design phase, and suitable for verifying many products as part of comprehensive environmental testing.
When are wind and rain tests necessary?
Wind and rain tests are necessary for products used outdoors or in varying weather conditions. This includes, for example, devices installed in vehicles, electronic products for outdoor use, industrial equipment, and various sensor and IoT solutions. Tests are also important for products used at airports, at sea, or on cell towers, where they are constantly exposed to rain, wind, and temperature fluctuations. Furthermore, our wind and rain test facility is suitable for investigating the aerodynamics and cooling systems of vehicles as part of technical environmental testing.
Ideally, tests are conducted during the product development phase before production begins. This allows potential structural weaknesses, sealing problems, and material defects to be identified early and corrected cost-effectively.
What types of tests are used in wind and rain tests?
Our test facility achieves a wind speed of 40 m/s with water spray and a maximum of 67 m/s without water spray. This facility is rare in Europe and is suitable for simulating demanding weather conditions under controlled laboratory conditions.
The test report is a valuable document – not only for product development, but also for sales and marketing. For example, if a product passes a test according to the MIL-STD standard, the results can be used company-wide.
With Toptester, wind and rain tests are always planned specifically for each product, taking into account its intended use and requirements. The tests simulate, among other things, wind of varying intensity, continuous or prolonged rain, splashing water, and oblique rain, as well as combined wind and rain loads.
If required, the tests can be combined with other environmental tests, such as temperature and humidity tests. This provides the most realistic overall picture possible of the product’s behavior under real-world operating conditions.
The icy rain test is also very visually spectacular. Watch the video on Suunto’s icing rain from the link below.
Standards and Test Methods
Wind and rain tests can be performed according to various international standards, depending on the intended use and product requirements. The tests can be conducted either according to existing standards or based on customer-specific test requirements.
The most common standards for wind and rain testing are:
- MIL-STD-810G, Method 506 (Rain Test)
- Telcordia GR-487, Chapter 3.31
- MIL-STD-810G, Method 521.3 – Freezing Rain Test
- National Weather Service (NWS) 8.0 Freezing Rain Test
- Custom standards or test programs based on measured operating conditions
These can be used to ensure product performance in both normal rain and extreme weather conditions such as freezing rain.
Wind Tunnel Facility for Wind and Rain Testing (WDR)
Our test facility simulates real storm conditions under controlled laboratory conditions. The tests are conducted according to MIL-STD-810G / Method 506.4 and Telcordia GR-487 Core standards.
Main features of the test facility:
- Open wind tunnel, 9 m long
- Continuously adjustable wind speed from 0 to 67 m/s
- Continuously adjustable water and rain flow, as well as adjustable water temperature
- Outlet pipe diameter 1.6 m and propeller diameter 1.8 m
- Rotating table for fixing and rotating the test specimen
- Data acquisition system for recording wind speed, water flow, and water temperature
Freezing rain test
Freezing rain can impair the operation of equipment, for example, in vehicles, weather observation devices, on islands, and with outdoor electrical and telecommunications equipment. The effects of this phenomenon can be assessed according to the international standard MIL-STD-810G, Method 521.3 – Icing/Freezing Rain. This simulates the stress caused by freezing rain and ice formation on structures.
Toptester offers a separate freezing rain test, which is conducted in our climate chamber (4.2 m × 2.2 m × 2.3 m). Our test system is flexible, allowing the water jet to be directed at the product from the desired direction. This also enables the testing of large-format products and the modeling of realistic operating conditions.
Benefits of Wind and Rain Tests
Wind and rain tests serve to assess the durability and reliability of a product under demanding weather conditions and to identify structural weaknesses early on.
Wind and rain tests serve the following purposes:
- Ensuring the functionality of structures and seals
- Preventing moisture and water damage
- Improving product reliability in outdoor environments
- Reducing complaints and defects in the field
- Supporting product development and quality assurance.
Wind and rain tests serve the following purposes: Reliable test data helps you make better decisions during the product development phase and extends the product’s lifespan.
Do you need other tests?
We would be happy to support you with other reliability, environmental, and condition tests for your product development.
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions about Wind and Rain Tests
What is measured during wind and rain tests?
The test assesses a product’s resistance to wind and water exposure, as well as its ability to maintain functionality under various weather conditions.
How long do wind and rain tests take?
The duration of the test depends on the test program and the product requirements. Typically, the tests are completed within a few weeks.
Which standards are used for wind and rain tests?
The most common standards are MIL-STD-810 and the IEC standards series. However, we also conduct customized test programs.
Will I receive an official test report?
Yes. We provide a comprehensive, documented test report that can be used for product development, certifications, and customer communication.