scope:

Purpose. The dust test is used during the development, test, and evaluation of equipment to ascertain their ability to resist the effects of a dry dust (fine sand) laden atmosphere. This test simulates the effect of sharp edged dust (fine sand) particles, up to 150 microns in size, which may penetrate into cracks, crevices, bearings, and joints, and cause a variety of damage such as fouling moving parts, making relays inoperative, forming electrically conductive bridges with resulting "shorts" and acting as a nucleus for the collection of water vapor, and hence a source of possible corrosion and malfunction of equipment. This test is applicable to all mechanical, electrical, electronic, electrochemical, and electromechanical devices for which exposure to the effects of a dry dust (fine sand) laden atmosphere is anticipated.