Can water enter?
The enclosure, feedthrough, connector and cable exit define the ingress protection of the tested assembly.
ENGINEERING GUIDE / ENVIRONMENTAL SELECTION
IP68 / IP69K Load Cell Protection Guide
Compare potted seals, welded hermetic assemblies and pressure-compensated submersible force sensors against your actual exposure profile.
Specify your applicationThree questions before selecting a rating.
Can pressure alter the reading?
A watertight load cell can still develop zero or sensitivity shifts under external hydrostatic pressure.
Will the materials survive?
Chlorides, cleaning chemistry, temperature, crevices and galvanic couples need their own compatibility review.
| Construction | Exposure to qualify | What to request |
|---|---|---|
| Potted silicone / epoxy seals | Moisture protection depending on the actual design and test; potting alone does not establish a rating. | Declared IP65/IP67 or other ingress tests, cable-exit details and chemical limits. |
| Laser-welded hermetic enclosure | Specified IP68 immersion and/or high-pressure hot-water washdown conditions. | Seal construction, leak-test basis, exact IP test standard and depth/time limits. |
| Pressure-compensated submersible assembly | Continuous underwater operation at an agreed pressure, duration, temperature and force accuracy. | Pressure-cycle evidence, zero/sensitivity shift, wet-mate qualification and corrosion review. |
IP68 and IP69K answer different questions.
IP68 concerns immersion under manufacturer-specified conditions. Always obtain depth and duration. A claim such as “IP68 at 10m” does not establish a 100m rating, an indefinite service life or an underwater calibration uncertainty.
IP69K refers to a defined high-pressure, high-temperature water-jet test. The commonly used hot-water test envelope is around 80°C and 80–100 bar, subject to the applicable standard, nozzle geometry, distance, angles and duration. Confirm whether documentation cites ISO 20653, legacy DIN 40050-9 or IEC 60529 IPX9. These designations and test methods should not be treated as interchangeable certificates.
Neither an ingress rating nor the word hermetic guarantees suitability for steam sterilization, caustic solutions, hygienic equipment design or permanent seawater exposure.
What is a hydrostatic load cell in underwater force work?
In this context, hydrostatic pressure compensation addresses the effect of surrounding water pressure on a force transducer. The measured quantity remains tension, compression or weighing force. Ask for pressure-induced zero change and sensitivity change across the working depth and temperature range. Compensation does not remove buoyancy forces from a test object.
RFQ checklist for an environmental test plan
- Force direction, capacity, overload and allowable off-axis loading.
- Depth, duration, pressure cycles and target measurement uncertainty.
- Media composition, temperature and washdown / cleaning profile.
- Body material, welds, feedthrough, cable jacket, connector and mating half.
- Output, supply, cable length, sampling needs and calibration requirements.
Technical references
These manufacturer examples illustrate why actual test conditions matter; they do not certify AquaSeal configurations.
START WITH YOUR OPERATING CONDITIONS
Tell us what the sensor
has to withstand.
Share the force range, environment, cable route and mounting drawing.