Anti-condensation product: So Sponge VS silica gel for IP box

In a IP waterproof electrical box, humidity can become a critical problem. Even in a electrical waterproof case, internal condensation may occur during rapid temperature changes.

What is the best then anti-humidity product to effectively protect your equipment?

In the laboratory, we compared two solutions:

• So Sponge (high performance mesoporous adsorbent)
• Silica gel (silica gel)
  
  

Why is humidity a risk in an IP box?

One outdoor electrical box Or a IP waterproof housing is not completely isolated fromHumidity in the air.

When a confined volume contains humid air and the temperature drops sharply, we can reach Dew temperature.
Result: Humidity by condensation and the formation of liquid water on the components.

This condensation in an electrical box may result in:

• Corrosion,
• Short circuits,
• Premature degradation of components,
• Loss of reliability.
  
  

A good anti-condensation product must therefore ensure a genuine humidity control, even under extreme conditions.

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Laboratory test protocol

We simulated a scenario with maximum risk.

Setup

three waterproof electrical boxes IP65, equipped with humidity sensors, have been tested:

1. Empty case (no moisture absorbent)
2. Case with 1 g of So Sponge
3. Case with 1 g of silica gel

Both adsorbents were preconditioned in the laboratory atmosphere.

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Simulation of a critical environment

To quickly generate a very high relative humidity, a cup containing 1 g of water is placed in each case.

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After 3:30:

• Beakers of water at 15° C. are placed on the boxes,
• This creates a Cold spot
• Simulating rapid surface cooling.
  
  

This scenario reproduces the real conditions of a outdoor electrical box subject to significant climatic variations.

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Results: measured relative humidity

THEHumidity indicator built-in shows that:

• The box containing So Sponge maintains a significantly lower relative humidity,
• The box containing silica gel reached levels close to saturation.

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Silica gel quickly loses its effectiveness when the humidity becomes very high.

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Observation of condensation

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• Condensation visible in the empty box
• Condensation visible in the box containing silica gel
• No condensation in the box containing So Sponge

Silica gel is rapidly saturated. Once saturated, it no longer insures any humidity control.So Sponge on the contrary maintains a high adsorption capacity even at high Ambient humidity.

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Why is silica gel restricted?

The silica gel is a conventional desiccant (see Definition of desiccant).
It works properly at moderate humidity.

But at very high humidity:

• Fast saturation,
• Loss of efficiency,
• Risk of condensation.
  
  

It should also be noted that the anti-humidity bags or dehumidifier bags based on silica are sized for small volumes and not for environments subject to severe thermal cycles.

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Why is So Sponge a better anti-humidity product?

Unlike silica gel:

• Strong adsorption capacity at high relative humidity,
• Maintaining hygrometric control in extreme conditions,
• No sudden saturation,
• Solution adapted to outdoor waterproof electrical boxes.
  
  

It acts like a passive humidity controller, avoiding reaching the critical condensation threshold.

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Conclusion: which anti-humidity product should you choose?

For a IP electrical box, especially in an outdoor environment:

• silica gel may suffice in a stable environment,
  
  
• in severe conditions (high humidity + rapid cooling), it becomes ineffective,
  
  
• So Sponge provides long-lasting protection against condensation.
  
  

Our AS-B labels prevent condensation in IP boxes subject to extreme weather conditions.

Unlike silica gel, they maintain a high adsorption capacity even at very high humidity.

Do you need to protect your electrical boxes against humidity?
Contact us for a study adapted to your application.