🛡️ The Pendulum Hammer Test (Test Eha)

The Pendulum Hammer Test, designated as Test Eha within the IEC 60068-2-75 standard, is the preferred method for assessing the mechanical robustness of enclosures designed to withstand high-energy impacts.

Methodology and Application

The Eha test utilizes a pendulum-style hammer mounted on a rigid frame. The energy of the impact is controlled by the mass of the striking element and the angle from which it is released, resulting in a defined arc that hits the test specimen.

Mechanism: It consists of a rigid, precisely weighted hammer head attached to an arm that swings like a pendulum. The impact energy (W) is calculated using the mass (m) of the striking element, the gravitational acceleration (g), and the vertical height of the drop (h) from which the hammer is released: W = m . g . h.

Energy Range: This test is specifically designed for high-impact energies, typically ranging from 2 Joules (J) up to 50 J.

IK Rating Correlation: Eha is the mandatory test procedure for determining the higher end of the IK Code (IEC 62262), corresponding to ratings from IK07 (2 J) up to IK10 (20 J), and sometimes beyond.

Common Use: It is commonly applied to devices intended for public or industrial environments where they are likely to be subject to vandalism or heavy mechanical abuse, such as street lighting, traffic signal enclosures, security cameras, and outdoor junction boxes.

Key Feature

The key advantage of the Pendulum Hammer (Eha) is its ability to deliver a high, precise, and repeatable impact energy in a manner that closely simulates real-world heavy blows, ensuring the tested enclosure can maintain its integrity and protection level.