Overview

Optical instruments are affected during their use by a number of different environmental parameters which they are required to resist without significant reduction in performance and to remain within defined specifications. The type and severity of these parameters depend on the conditions of use of the instrument (for example, in a laboratory or workshop) and on its geographical location. Individual parameters cause a variety of different and overlapping effects on instrument performance. The manufacturer attempts to ensure, and the user naturally expects, that instruments will resist the likely rigours of their environment throughout their life. This expectation can be assessed by exposure of the instrument to a range of simulated environmental parameters under controlled laboratory conditions. This part of ISO 9022 specifies the methods relating to the environmental tests of optical instruments including additional assemblies from other fields (for example mechanical, chemical and electronic devices), under equivalent conditions, for their ability to resist the effects of simulated solar radiation or laboratory weathering, which is a combination of simulated solar radiation, heat, and moisture. It is applicable to instruments that may be exposed to sunlight during operation or unsheltered storage on the earth's surface, or in the lower atmosphere. The purpose of testing is to investigate to what extent the optical, climatic, mechanical, chemical and electrical (including electrostatic) performance characteristics of the specimen are affected by solar radiation or weathering (solar radiation, heat, and moisture). The standard differs from the September 2000 edition in that conditioning method 21 "artificial weathering" has been newly included. The committee responsible for this standard is Working Group NA 027-01-02-03 AK "Umweltbedingungen und -prüfungen für optische Geräte" ("Environmental requirements and test methods for optical instruments") at DIN Standards Committee Optics and Precision Mechanics.

Document: references other documents

Responsible national committee

NA 027-01-02-03 AK - Environmental requirements and test methods for optical instruments  

Responsible international committee

ISO/TC 172/SC 1/WG 3 - Environmental test methods