Climatic Chamber Configurator
Discover the Climatic Chamber Configurator
Our guide to choosing the climate chamber best suited to your needs.
Have you ever worried that splashes and jets of water could damage or ruin components of your car?
For battery and accumulator testing, discover our battery testing chambers, designed for testing under controlled conditions.
If the answer is no: you're right.
In fact, among the many tests that a vehicle must pass before being put on the market, there is a specific one to verify the reactions of its components to water splashes: this is the Water Jet Test
What is the Water Jet Test used for?
All vehicles, from ordinary cars to semi-trailers, contain components, parts, and accessories that are more vulnerable to the elements than others. Not all of these components are protected inside the vehicle; some are directly exposed to rain and even jets of water when the vehicle passes over wet roads.
The water jet test is designed to verify the reaction and resistance of these components to the continuous impact of water spray, especially with regard to thermal shock.
Among the components we are talking about are: electronic components, brakes, engine parts, mirrors, windows, and valves.
Each of these components must demonstrate a certain resistance to the continuous action of water and, as regards the windows, also the capacity to insulate the passenger compartment.
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How the ISO 16750 Water Jet Test Works
The Water Jet Test for the automotive sector must be performed in an isolated environment in which it is possible to alter the temperature and relative humidity, i.e. in a climatic chamber.
Working with a precise and stable temperature is necessary to measure the thermal shock factor caused by the water jet, which must have a temperature between 0* and 4°C.
The components to be tested are placed inside the chamber equipped with a water diffuser and then hit with jets of water for a minimum of two jets of water lasting a maximum of 5 seconds.
Further specificationsfor water jet testing can be found in ISO 16750, which is divided into five chapters and deals generally with all environmental testing of electronic components in vehicles.
Another sister standard is ISO 20653 , which establishes the level of protection from external agents—such as water—of electronic components in vehicles. Finally, the DIN EN 60529 determines the degree of protection of enclosures from water jets, i.e., all those enclosures that protect delicate components, including those found in vehicles.
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The FDM Climatic Chamber for Water Jet Testing
FDM – Environment Makers has been a leading company in the vast world of climate chambers for over 70 years.
Our sector is constantly evolving, following international standards and new tests that are developed year after year.
From now on, our climatic chambers can be equipped with a water jet diffuser approved according to ISO 16750 and the other standards mentioned above.
Don't hesitate to contact us to find out more.
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Reference Standards
- IEC 60529 IPX5/IPX6 — Degrees of protection (jet/powerful jet)
- ISO 20653 IPX6K/IPX9K — IP code automotive high-pressure jets
- MIL-STD-810H Method 506.6 Proc II — Blowing rain / jet spray
- DIN 40050-9 — Deprecated, adopted in ISO 20653
- ASTM D5894 — Cyclic salt fog/UV exposure (includes water spray phase)
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Frequently Asked Questions About Water Jet Testing
What parameters define a water jet test?
Four critical variables: flow rate (L/min), pressure (kPa), nozzle diameter (mm), nozzle-to-sample distance. IPX5: 12.5 L/min, 30 kPa, 6.3 mm nozzle, distance 2.5-3 m. IPX6: 100 L/min, 100 kPa, 12.5 mm nozzle, distance 2.5-3 m. IPX9K: 14-16 MPa (140-160 bar), 80°C, 14-16 L/min, flat nozzle at 0°/30°/60°/90° from horizontal. Duration: 3 min total for IPX5/6, 30 s per position for IPX9K.
Difference between IPX5, IPX6 and IPX6K?
Increasing severity: IPX5 (standard jet 12.5 L/min) protection from normal jets (washing with a garden hose); IPX6 (powerful jet 100 L/min) high-flow jets (professional cleaning); IPX6K (automotive) reduced flow rate 75 L/min but high pressure 10,000 kPa, simulating underbody washing with a pressure washer. IPX6 does not imply IPX6K and vice versa — both are separate tests required for the IP66/IPX6K marking.
What does IPX9K specifically test?
The IPX9K simulates high-pressure, high-temperature washing typical of industrial car washes, airport tunnels, and agricultural demucking. Parameters: 14-16 MPa (≈150 bar), water at 80°C, flow rate 14-16 L/min, rotating flat-fan nozzle. The sample is sprayed for 30 s at each of the 4 angular positions (0°, 30°, 60°, 90°). Required for: ABS/ESP sensors, automotive LED lighting, external control units, high-voltage EV cables.
How do you document an IP pass/fail result?
The IP test is a binary pass/fail but with detailed criteria: (a) no water penetration inside the enclosure (post-test visual inspection); (b) post-test dielectric withstand test (1.5 kV AC for electrical components); (c) full electrical operation during and after the test; (d) leak test verification with internal pressure +50 mbar. The final report includes: pre/post photos, spray video, pressure/flow/temperature datalogger, weighed tare to verify water ingress.
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