Immersion Proof Breathers and Protective Vents

Flow More Air Faster While Keeping Out Liquid Water

Immersion-proof breathers, also known as protective vents, are “free breathers” that permit air pressure equalization, but keep out liquid water.


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TA251-1-RF Immersion Proof Breather

What is an immersion-proof breather?

An immersion-proof breather, also known as protective vents or waterproof breather vents, are “free breathers” that permit air pressure equalization, but keep out liquid water. Essentially, these vents allow air and other gasses to pass through its membrane while stopping liquid and other forms of moisture from entering an enclosure.

TA244-1 Plastic Immersion Proof Breather

How do immersion-proof breathers work?

Immersion-proof breathers don’t require any pressure to operate but still equalize pressure differentials. They have a membrane that prevents dust and liquids from passing through which helps them protect cases that are submerged in water. However, gasses (e.g. air) can still enter.

In the event of rapid temperature drops when there is insufficient time for water vapor to exit through the breather, moisture inside the enclosure can condense.

While an immersion-proof breather will not maintain as dry of an environment as a breather valve, if you include some kind of desiccant (e.g. custom desiccant), it is maintenance-free.

TA250-2 Mini Immersion Proof Breather

Benefits Of Our Immersion Proof Breathers

The benefit of an immersion-proof breather is that it enables pressure and vacuum relief without allowing liquid water ingress during that process. For this reason, immersion-proof breathers are commonly installed in cases and enclosures that are subject to submersion or that may experience direct or great amounts of water.

Characteristics & Industry Applications

Membrane keyboards and similar pressure-sensitive equipment are often required to operate under adverse environmental conditions, one of which might be immersion underwater. This has resulted in a need for a breathing device like an immersion-proof breather or protective vent that permits air pressure equalization but protects the equipment from liquid water intrusion.

Immersion protection can be provided for liquid water depths of up to 1 meter for as long as 24 hours. Over shorter periods, some immersion-proof breathers or protective vents can withstand water pressure differentials up to 15 psig. Typical operating temperatures are -40°F to 257°F. Breather flow rates can vary from 150 cc per minute to 5000 cc per minute at 1 psig differential.

Note: Solvent and oil-resistant immersion-proof breathers are available.

Typical Industry Applications

Immersion-proof breathers are commonly used in applications where occasional condensation will not cause a problem and where replacing desiccant is either not possible or desired. Since immersion-proof breathers are smaller than breather valves and flow air constantly (because they don’t seal) they’re more commonly used on smaller enclosures containing contents that are typically more moisture resistant.

This can include:

  • Computer keyboards
  • Meteorological instruments
  • IP enclosures
  • Gearboxes and transmissions
  • Handheld terminals
  • Battery housings
  • Azimuth sealed devices
  • Equipment needing protection from hose down requirements.

The use of immersion-proof breathers is common among the same industries as our other pressure control products (e.g. breather valves), this includes:

  • Aerospace
  • Space
  • Defense
  • Shipping & Logistics

AGM Custom Engineering, the solution to any problem.

TA248-1 Immersion Proof Breather

FAQs

No, immersion-proof breathers block the passage of liquid water but do not stop water vapor.

How long an immersion-proof breather can be submerged depends on the rating of the specific breather. Generally, the submersion time is a minimum of one hour.

How deep an immersion-proof breather can be submerged depends on the rating of the specific breather. However, there are breathers that are rated to a depth of 1 meter.

Yes. The smallest immersion-proof breathers that we currently offer are the mini-immersion breathers. Our mini immersion-proof breathers range in size:

  • Diameter: ~5.5mm to ~28mm
  • Length: ~8.5mm to ~26mm

Please contact our team to ask about custom size

Find What You're Looking For

It’s a lot, we know. If you’re looking for something specific or aren’t sure what you need, try searching through all products or give us a shout and we’ll help!