When it comes to shipping products and ensuring the maintenance of specific temperature ranges, the first things that usually come to mind are perishables like food or even medication and pharmaceutical products. Most people don’t think of a cellular phone or an audio component in the same way as these are rigid, solid products not meant for consumption, and they don’t have a short expiration date for freshness or viability. However, like food and pharmaceuticals, even electronics require some temperature control while shipping, such as from insulated packaging, to protect them from numerous environmental risks.
Humidity
Humidity is when there is a high amount of moisture in the air. Electronics generally do well in the same conditions people do, at humidity levels of 50% or less. When it rises above this, moisture in the air is at a sufficient level that it can impair electronics. Higher humidity promotes condensation, which means the vapor in the air goes back to liquid form. If these moisture droplets adhere to the electronics themselves, the potential damage can be similar to if they are caught out in the rain or even dropped in water.
Low Humidity
However, the opposite condition, extremely dry air, can also be bad for electronics. Dry air is more conductive of static electricity charges. Anyone who has ever lived in a dry climate during the winter knows the surprise of an accidental shock after walking through the environment and then touching something metallic, such as a doorknob.
If the air is allowed to dry out below specified levels, this kind of static buildup can also affect electronics.
Cold
While electronics can’t freeze and be damaged the same way pharmaceuticals can, without insulated packaging, a drop in temperature, accompanied by moisture, can put these products at risk. Similar to high-humidity environments, cold temperatures may cause freezing, which in turn leads to frost or ice formation.
When the temperature rises again, the frost or ice melts, creating the same risk of water exposure to electronics in a high-humidity environment.
Heat
An extreme rise in temperature can also affect electronics. In general, electronics may fry beyond 120℉ or 50℃. However, even 80℉ or 27℃ is enough to cause damage, as this can degrade the life expectancy of lithium-ion batteries by accelerating the chemical reactions within them.
If you’re shipping electronics and need insulated packaging to protect them from moisture and temperature changes, we can help. Contact us to explain your shipping needs and obtain a quote.
