Fluids -

Unintentional sprays, rain, humidity, spills, leaks of corrosive and non-corrosive fluids can cause a product hazard, malfunction or reliability problem. The same IP and NEMA standards referenced above for 'Particulate Matter' are used as standards for protection from fluid ingression.

Examples of Fluids caused product failures:

• Disabled-assisted devices (e.g., motorized wheel chair, lifts) used in a humid climate or out in inclement weather can eventually become mechanically inoperable without periodic maintenance.
• An electromechanical device that rides in a car trunk on a trip from Great Falls to Bozeman, Montana in February and then is brought inside at the end of the trip and is expected to immediately operate as expected - may not. Humidity (even in dry climates) can condense on the coils, circuit boards, drive belts and gears causing shorts, slippage or whatever.
• A flat spot on the top of an office electronic product may be a 'convenient spot' to place a coffee cup during an engaging conversation. Such 'spill-prone' attractive nuisances are all too common.
• Outdoor products with vents designed to protect the insides of a device from direct rain may not protect the product from blowing rain (sideways rain), lawn sprinklers or kids playing with the hose.
• If dangerous/corrosive internal fluids can leak out of a product, damage may occur to external equipment, people and the environment.