Custom Case News
Custom Corner: The Importance of Humidity Indicators and Purge Valves for Airtight Cases
Previously, in our Custom Corner of Pelican Cases series, we discussed the various wheeled caster options available for Pelican Hardigg roto mold, single lid cases. If you missed that post, feel free to catch up here: Custom Corner of Pelican Cases: Rolling Into Versatility With Pelican Case Caster Options.
In this post, we’ll explore two critical Pelican Hardigg case features that help monitor and maintain the internal environment of your single lid, roto mold, airtight case: the Humidity Indicator and Purge Relief Valve (PRV). When it comes to safeguarding sensitive equipment in harsh environments, maintaining the internal environment of your case is crucial. In this blog, we will dive into how these features work, their importance, and how they fit into different levels of airtight case classifications.
Humidity Indicator: Ensuring Optimal Internal Conditions
The Humidity Indicator provides a visual cue when internal moisture levels exceed critical thresholds. It monitors humidity at 20%, 30%, and 40% relative humidity, with a three-part face that changes color when the levels go above these points. As the internal humidity drops, the indicator automatically resets for future use, making it a long-lasting solution for maintaining dry conditions inside airtight cases. This is highly recommended for airtight cases, where controlling moisture is crucial to prevent damage to delicate or moisture-sensitive equipment.
Purge Relief Valve (PRV): Maintaining Pressure and Purging
The PRV allows for manual pressure equalization, essential for environments where there are rapid changes in external pressure or where the case needs to be purged with an inert gas. Constructed from durable brass and nickel-plated for additional protection, the PRV is designed for applications that require fast air relief or pressure adjustment.
For those requiring certified airtight or watertight solutions, the PRV plays a crucial role. Installed with precision, it ensures that internal pressure is maintained without risking case integrity. The PRV has a valve stem with 5/16-32 internal threads, fits a 9/16” installation hole, and can be combined with a Fill Valve option for even more precise control over internal pressure conditions.
Airtight Case System Classifications
Not all cases are created equal when it comes to protection against environmental elements. Cases with PRV’s are classified into three levels based on their intended applications and environmental exposures:
- Certified Airtight / Watertight (Level A) – This top-tier option is recommended for military or high-end industrial applications with uncontrolled environmental exposure. It includes a custom or catalog-configured case with a PRV and is factory-tested for complete air-tightness. Level A ensures the case is leak-tested, and a Certificate of Conformance is supplied for each shipment lot.
- Controlled Breather / Splash-proof and Rainproof (Level B) – Ideal for COTS military and general industrial applications, this level features a PRV but does not undergo pressurized leak testing. Instead, it is inspected for workmanship and seal integrity. Level B is intended for intermittent environmental exposure.
- Free Breather / Vented (Level C) – Used in industrial and commercial settings, Level C cases are vented to prevent pressure or vacuum buildup. Though splash- and rain-resistant in upright positions, they are not pressurized and are meant for controlled environments.
Conclusion: Selecting the Right Protection for Your Equipment
Choosing the right Pelican Hardigg case with the proper features—like a humidity indicator and PRV—is essential for ensuring your equipment remains protected in any environment. Whether you need certified airtight, splash-proof, or vented solutions, the combination of a PRV and humidity indicator provides an effective defense against environmental challenges. At Custom Case Pros, we help you navigate these options to ensure your equipment stays secure, no matter where it’s headed.
To explore our case size options, please check out the Pelican Hardigg Single Lid Case gallery. If you have any questions or want to know more about custom options, please contact us!
(405) 566-9290