IEC 60068-2-17:2023

IEC 60068-2-17
®

Edition 5.0 2023-06
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE

Environmental testing –
Part 2-17: Tests – Test Q: Sealing

Essais d'environnement –
Partie 2-17: Essais – Essai Q: Etanchéité
IEC 60068-2-17:2023-06(en-fr)

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
THIS PUBLICATION IS COPYRIGHT PROTECTED
Copyright © 2023 IEC, Geneva, Switzerland

All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, no part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized in any form
or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and microfilm, without permission in writing from
either IEC or IEC's member National Committee in the country of the requester. If you have any questions about IEC
copyright or have an enquiry about obtaining additional rights to this publication, please contact the address below or
your local IEC member National Committee for further information.


Droits de reproduction réservés. Sauf indication contraire, aucune partie de cette publication ne peut être reproduite ni
utilisée sous quelque forme que ce soit et par aucun procédé, électronique ou mécanique, y compris la photocopie et
les microfilms, sans l'accord écrit de l'IEC ou du Comité national de l'IEC du pays du demandeur. Si vous avez des
questions sur le copyright de l'IEC ou si vous désirez obtenir des droits supplémentaires sur cette publication, utilisez
les coordonnées ci-après ou contactez le Comité national de l'IEC de votre pays de résidence.

IEC Secretariat Tel.: +41 22 919 02 11
3, rue de Varembé info@iec.ch
CH-1211 Geneva 20 www.iec.ch
Switzerland

About the IEC
The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is the leading global organization that prepares and publishes
International Standards for all electrical, electronic and related technologies.

About IEC publications
The technical content of IEC publications is kept under constant review by the IEC. Please make sure that you have the
latest edition, a corrigendum or an amendment might have been published.

IEC publications search - webstore.iec.ch/advsearchform IEC Products & Services Portal - products.iec.ch
The advanced search enables to find IEC publications by a Discover our powerful search engine and read freely all the
variety of criteria (reference number, text, technical publications previews. With a subscription you will always have
committee, …). It also gives information on projects, replaced access to up to date content tailored to your needs.
and withdrawn publications.

Electropedia - www.electropedia.org
IEC Just Published - webstore.iec.ch/justpublished
The world's leading online dictionary on electrotechnology,
Stay up to date on all new IEC publications. Just Published
containing more than 22 300 terminological entries in English
details all new publications released. Available online and once
and French, with equivalent terms in 19 additional languages.
a month by email.
Also known as the International Electrotechnical Vocabulary

(IEV) online.
IEC Customer Service Centre - webstore.iec.ch/csc


If you wish to give us your feedback on this publication or need
further assistance, please contact the Customer Service
Centre: sales@iec.ch.


A propos de l'IEC
La Commission Electrotechnique Internationale (IEC) est la première organisation mondiale qui élabore et publie des
Normes internationales pour tout ce qui a trait à l'électricité, à l'électronique et aux technologies apparentées.

A propos des publications IEC
Le contenu technique des publications IEC est constamment revu. Veuillez vous assurer que vous possédez l’édition la
plus récente, un corrigendum ou amendement peut avoir été publié.

Recherche de publications IEC -  IEC Products & Services Portal - products.iec.ch
webstore.iec.ch/advsearchform Découvrez notre puissant moteur de recherche et consultez
La recherche avancée permet de trouver des publications IEC gratuitement tous les aperçus des publications. Avec un
en utilisant différents critères (numéro de référence, texte, abonnement, vous aurez toujours accès à un contenu à jour
comité d’études, …). Elle donne aussi des informations sur les adapté à vos besoins.
projets et les publications remplacées ou retirées.

Electropedia - www.electropedia.org
IEC Just Published - webstore.iec.ch/justpublished
Le premier dictionnaire d'électrotechnologie en ligne au monde,
Restez informé sur les nouvelles publications IEC. Just
avec plus de 22 300 articles terminologiques en anglais et en
Published détaille les nouvelles publications parues.
français, ainsi que les termes équivalents dans 19 langues
Disponible en ligne et une fois par mois par email.
additionnelles. Egalement appelé Vocabulaire

Electrotechnique International (IEV) en ligne.
Service Clients - webstore.iec.ch/csc

Si vous désirez nous donner des commentaires sur cette
publication ou si vous avez des questions contactez-nous:
sales@iec.ch.

---------------------- Page: 2 ----------------------
IEC 60068-2-17

®


Edition 5.0 2023-06




INTERNATIONAL



STANDARD




NORME


INTERNATIONALE










Environmental testing –

Part 2-17: Tests – Test Q: Sealing



Essais d'environnement –

Partie 2-17: Essais – Essai Q: Etanchéité















INTERNATIONAL

ELECTROTECHNICAL

COMMISSION


COMMISSION

ELECTROTECHNIQUE


INTERNATIONALE





ICS 19.040  ISBN 978-2-8322-7133-9




Warning! Make sure that you obtained this publication from an authorized distributor.

Attention! Veuillez vous assurer que vous avez obtenu cette publication via un distributeur agréé.

® Registered trademark of the International Electrotechnical Commission
Marque déposée de la Commission Electrotechnique Internationale

---------------------- Page: 3 ----------------------
– 2 – IEC 60068-2-17:2023 © IEC 2023
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 6
1 Scope . 8
2 Normative references . 8
3 Terms and definitions . 8
4 General . 9
5 Test Qa: Sealing of bushes, spindles and gaskets . 11
5.1 Object . 11
5.2 Scope of Test Qa . 11
5.3 General description of the test . 11
5.4 Initial measurements . 11
5.5 Conditioning . 11
5.6 Final measurements . 11
5.7 Information to be given in the relevant specification . 11
6 Test Qc: Container sealing, gas leak . 12
6.1 Object . 12
6.2 Scope of Test Qc . 12
6.3 General description of the test . 12
6.4 Test Method 1 . 12
6.5 Test Method 2 . 13
6.6 Test Method 3 . 13
6.7 Information to be given in the relevant specification . 14
7 Test Qd: Container sealing, seepage of filling liquid . 14
7.1 Object . 14
7.2 Scope of Test Qd . 14
7.3 General description of the test . 14
7.4 Severities . 14
7.5 Preconditioning . 15
7.6 Initial measurements . 15
7.7 Conditioning . 15
7.8 Final measurements . 15
7.9 Information to be given in the relevant specification . 15
8 Test Qf: Immersion . 15
8.1 Object . 15
8.2 General description of the test . 15
8.3 Initial measurements . 16
8.4 Preconditioning . 16
8.5 Conditioning . 16
8.6 Recovery . 16
8.7 Final measurements . 16
8.8 Information to be given in the relevant specification . 17
9 Test Qk: Sealing tracer gas method with mass spectrometer . 17
9.1 Object . 17
9.2 Scope of Test Qk . 17
9.3 General description of the test . 17
9.4 Test Method 1 . 18
9.4.1 General . 18

---------------------- Page: 4 ----------------------
IEC 60068-2-17:2023 © IEC 2023 – 3 –
9.4.2 Severities . 18
9.4.3 Preconditioning . 20
9.4.4 Initial measurements . 20
9.4.5 Test parameters . 20
9.4.6 Conditioning . 20
9.4.7 Recovery . 20
9.4.8 Gross leaks . 20
9.4.9 Final measurements . 21
9.5 Test Method 2 . 21
9.5.1 General . 21
9.5.2 Preconditioning . 21
9.5.3 Initial measurements . 21
9.5.4 Conditioning . 21
9.5.5 Gross leaks . 21
9.5.6 Final measurements . 21
9.6 Test Method 3 . 22
9.6.1 General . 22
9.6.2 Preconditioning . 22
9.6.3 Initial measurements . 22
9.6.4 Conditioning . 22
9.6.5 Final measurements . 22
9.7 Information to be given in the relevant specification . 23
10 Test Ql: Bomb pressure test . 23
10.1 Object . 23
10.2 Scope of Test Ql . 23
10.3 General description of the test . 23
10.4 Initial measurements . 24
10.5 Conditioning . 24
10.6 Recovery . 24
10.7 Final measurements . 24
10.8 Information to be given in the relevant specification . 25
11 Test Qm: Tracer gas sealing test with internal pressurization . 25
11.1 Object . 25
11.2 Scope of Test Qm . 25
11.3 General description of the test . 25
11.3.1 Total method and local method . 25
11.3.2 Corresponding leak rate . 25
11.3.3 Test Method 1: Cumulative test . 26
11.3.4 Test Method 2: Probing test . 26
11.4 Preconditioning . 26
11.5 Conditioning . 26
11.5.1 General . 26
11.5.2 Test Method 1: Cumulative test . 26
11.5.3 Test Method 2: Probing test . 27
11.6 Information to be given in the relevant specification . 28
12 Test Qy: Pressure rise sealing test . 28
12.1 Object . 28
12.2 Scope of Test Qy . 28
12.3 General description of the test . 28

---------------------- Page: 5 ----------------------
– 4 – IEC 60068-2-17:2023 © IEC 2023
12.3.1 Test method . 28
12.3.2 Test equipment . 28
12.3.3 Calculation of the leak rate R . 29
12.4 Calibration of the test equipment. 30
12.5 Test time . 30
12.6 Evaluation of the volume of measurement . 30
12.7 Information to be given in the relevant specification . 31
13 Information to be given in the test report. 31
Annex A (informative) Example of an apparatus for Test Qa: Sealing of bushes,

spindles and gaskets . 33
A.1 Principle of operation . 33
A.2 Operation of example apparatus . 34
A.3 Calibration and accuracy . 35
Annex B (normative) Further requirements for Test Qc: Container sealing, gas leak . 36
B.1 General . 36
B.2 Test Method 1 . 36
B.3 Test Method 2 . 37
B.4 Test Method 3 . 37
Annex C (informative) Guidance on Test Qd: Container sealing, seepage of filling
liquid . 38
Annex D (informative) Interrelation of test parameters for Test Qk: Sealing tracer gas

method with mass spectrometer . 39
Annex E (informative) Guidance on Test Qk: Sealing tracer gas method with mass
spectrometer . 42
E.1 General . 42
E.2 Choice of the applicable severity. 43
Annex F (informative) Guidance on Test Ql: Bomb pressure test . 46
Annex G (informative) Guidance on Test Qm: Tracer gas sealing test with internal
pressurization . 47
G.1 Influence of time . 47
G.2 Test Method 1: Cumulative test . 47
G.2.1 Sensitivity . 47
G.2.2 Specific advantages and drawbacks . 47
G.3 Test Method 2: Probing test . 47
G.3.1 Sensitivity . 47
G.3.2 Specific advantages and drawbacks . 48
Annex H (informative) Guidance on Test Qy: Pressure rise sealing test . 49
Bibliography . 50

Figure 1 – Family tree of all sealing tests . 10
Figure 2 – Typical installation for sealing test using the pressure rise test procedure . 29
Figure 3 – Pressure of volume of measurement versus time during the sealing test
using the pressure rise test procedure . 29
Figure A.1 – Chamber for sealing test (Test Qa) . 33
Figure A.2 – Example of an apparatus for sealing test (Test Qa) . 34
Figure D.1 – Nomogram for determination of test parameters . 41

---------------------- Page: 6 ----------------------
IEC 60068-2-17:2023 © IEC 2023 – 5 –
Figure H.1 – Limiting cases of the pressure of volume of measurement versus test
time, provided that the dimensions of the test device, the volume of measurement and
the evacuation time are constant . 49

Table 1 – Test conditions for Test Method 3, Step 1 . 13
Table 2 – Head-of-water and corresponding pressure differences . 16
Table 3 – Severities and test conditions (and corresponding equivalent standard leak
rates) . 19

---------------------- Page: 7 ----------------------
– 6 – IEC 60068-2-17:2023 © IEC 2023
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________

ENVIRONMENTAL TESTING –

Part 2-17: Tests – Test Q: Sealing

FOREWORD
1) The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is a worldwide organization for standardization comprising
all national electrotechnical committees (IEC National Committees). The object of IEC is to promote international
co-operation on all questions concerning standardization in the electrical and electronic fields. To this end and
in addition to other activities, IEC publishes International Standards, Technical Specifications, Technical Reports,
Publicly Available Specifications (PAS) and Guides (hereafter referred to as "IEC Publication(s)"). Their
preparation is entrusted to technical committees; any IEC National Committee interested in the subject dealt with
may participate in this preparatory work. International, governmental and non-governmental organizations liaising
with the IEC also participate in this preparation. IEC collaborates closely with the International Organization for
Standardization (ISO) in accordance with conditions determined by agreement between the two organizations.
2) The formal decisions or agreements of IEC on technical matters express, as nearly as possible, an international
consensus of opinion on the relevant subjects since each technical committee has representation from all
interested IEC National Committees.
3) IEC Publications have the form of recommendations for international use and are accepted by IEC National
Committees in that sense. While all reasonable efforts are made to ensure that the technical content of IEC
Publications is accurate, IEC cannot be held responsible for the way in which they are used or for any
misinterpretation by any end user.
4) In order to promote international uniformity, IEC National Committees undertake to apply IEC Publications
transparently to the maximum extent possible in their national and regional publications. Any divergence between
any IEC Publication and the corresponding national or regional publication shall be clearly indicated in the latter.
5) IEC itself does not provide any attestation of conformity. Independent certification bodies provide conformity
assessment services and, in some areas, access to IEC marks of conformity. IEC is not responsible for any
services carried out by independent certification bodies.
6) All users should ensure that they have the latest edition of this publication.
7) No liability shall attach to IEC or its directors, employees, servants or agents including individual experts and
members of its technical committees and IEC National Committees for any personal injury, property damage or
other damage of any nature whatsoever, whether direct or indirect, or for costs (including legal fees) and
expenses arising out of the publication, use of, or reliance upon, this IEC Publication or any other IEC
Publications.
8) Attention is drawn to the Normative references cited in this publication. Use of the referenced publications is
indispensable for the correct application of this publication.
9) Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this IEC Publication may be the subject of patent
rights. IEC shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
IEC 60068-2-17 has been prepared by IEC technical committee 104: Environmental conditions,
classification and methods of test. It is an International Standard.
This fifth edition cancels and replaces the fourth edition published in 1994. This edition
constitutes a technical revision.
This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous
edition:
a) "Survey of sealing tests" has been deleted and the relevant content moved to a new
Clause 4 "General";
b) the Scope has been revised;
c) the figures have been updated for clarification purposes;
d) all non-SI units have been removed;
e) the information to be given in the relevant specification has been revised.

---------------------- Page: 8 ----------------------
IEC 60068-2-17:2023 © IEC 2023 – 7 –
The text of this International Standard is based on the following documents:
Draft Report on voting
104/984/FDIS 104/1000/RVD

Full information on the voting for its approval can be found in the report on voting indicated in
the above table.
The language used for the development of this International Standard is English.
This document was drafted in accordance with ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2, and developed in
accordance with ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1 and ISO/IEC Directives, IEC Supplement, available
at www.iec.ch/members_experts/refdocs. The main document types developed by IEC are
described in greater detail at www.iec.ch/publications.
A list of all parts in the IEC 60068 series, published under the general title Environmental
testing, can be found on the IEC website.
The committee has decided that the contents of this document will remain unchanged until the
stability date indicated on the IEC website under webstore.iec.ch in the data related to the
specific document. At this date, the document will be
• reconfirmed,
• withdrawn,
• replaced by a revised edition, or
• amended.

---------------------- Page: 9 ----------------------
– 8 – IEC 60068-2-17:2023 © IEC 2023
ENVIRONMENTAL TESTING –

Part 2-17: Tests – Test Q: Sealing



1 Scope
This part of IEC 60068 deals with seal tests applicable to the external and internal detection in
container sealing of gross leaks and fine leaks to determine the effectiveness of seals of
specimens. For further tests to verify the ability of enclosures, covers and seals to maintain
components and equipment in good working order, IEC 60068‑2‑18 can be helpful.
2 Normative references
There are no normative references in this document.
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminology databas
...