In hazardous and corrosive environments, explosion proof lighting is exposed to far more than just flammable gases or dust. Salt-laden air, humidity, and chemical exposure can severely degrade lighting fixtures over time, leading to premature failure, increased maintenance costs, and safety risks. This is why salt spray testing plays a critical role in evaluating the long-term reliability of explosion proof lighting used in offshore, coastal, and industrial applications. What Is a Salt Spray Test? The salt spray (or salt fog) test is a standardized corrosion test used to assess the resistance of materials, coatings, and finished products when exposed to a saline environment. Conducted in accordance with ASTM B117, the test simulates accelerated corrosive conditions that lighting fixtures may experience over years of service in real-world environments. During the test, samples are continuously exposed to a fine mist of sodium chloride (NaCl) solution under controlled temperature and pH conditions. After the test period, the product is evaluated for corrosion, coating degradation, and surface defects. 1,000-Hour Salt Spray Test: GELT Series Performance The BARREL™ GELT Series explosion proof tubular linear light has successfully passed a 1,000-hour salt spray test, demonstrating excellent resistance to corrosion in highly aggressive environments. Test conditions and results: Model tested: GELT-10-U Chamber temperature: 35 ± 2℃ Salt spray solution: (5 ± 1)% NaCl by mass pH of collected solution (25℃): 6.5 – 7.2 Exposure period: 1,000 hours Area of defects: 0.5 < A ≤ 1.0 (%) Appearance rating: 6, according to ASTM B117 (2024) These results indicate minimal surface degradation after prolonged exposure, confirming that the GELT Series is well-suited for environments where corrosion is a constant challenge. Why This Matters for Hazardous Location Lighting In corrosive environments, even minor material failure can compromise enclosure integrity, cable entries, or sealing performance—posing serious safety risks in classified areas. A high-performance salt spray result provides confidence that the lighting fixture can maintain its mechanical strength, surface protection, and long-term reliability throughout its service life. For operators, this translates into: Reduced maintenance and replacement frequency Lower total cost of ownership Improved safety and operational continuity Certified for Hazardous and Corrosive Areas Beyond corrosion resistance, the GELT Series is fully ATEX and IECEx certified, making it suitable for use in both gas and dust hazardous locations. Designed specifically for saline and corrosive applications, the GELT Series is an ideal lighting solution for offshore drilling platforms, Oil & gas transportation and processing facilities, Ports, terminals, and coastal industrial areas. Salt spray testing is more than a laboratory benchmark—it is a critical indicator of how explosion proof lighting will perform in the harshest environments. For industries operating where safety, durability, and environmental resistance are non-negotiable, corrosion-tested explosion proof lighting is not just a preference—it’s a necessity.
