STid Architect® Readers: Resistance and Durability in Extreme Environments
Document Date: June 2025
Introduction
STid Architect® readers are engineered for reliable performance in demanding environments, including outdoor and industrial settings exposed to humidity, dust, extreme temperatures, and corrosion. Some models offer a lifetime warranty, underscoring their robustness and quality.
This document covers:
- Details on IP65 level protection.
- Information on UL294 outdoor certification testing.
- A summary of environmental and mechanical tests performed on the readers.
- Best practice recommendations for installation in harsh environments.
IP65 Level Protection
All STid Architect® readers, excluding connectors, offer IP65 protection. Internal electronic boards are coated with a transparent protective varnish (conforming to IEC NF EN 61086), ensuring resistance to moisture, water, and dust, making them suitable for outdoor use.
IP65 Certification vs. IP65 Level:
Both terms indicate protection against dust and low-pressure water jets from any direction. However, "certified IP65" implies formal sealing tests have been passed. STid Architect® readers prioritize modularity and environmental friendliness (recyclability and repairability) over total encapsulation. Their design allows electronics to be exposed to air but protected by tropicalization and robust mechanical design, achieving IP65 level resistance in real-world conditions.
Excluding Connectors: Connectors are not certified IP65. While IP65-certified connectors are typically bulky and costly, STid readers have been successfully installed outdoors for over 10 years without functional issues, demonstrating the reliability of the current design.
UL294 Outdoor Certification
The ARCIS Blue, ARCS-A Blue, ARCS-B Blue, ARCS-IM Blue, and ARCS-JM Blue readers are UL294 certified for both indoor and outdoor use.
Tested Readers
- ARCIS Blue: Slim format reader
- ARCS-A Blue: Standard reader
- ARCS-B Blue: Keypad reader
- ARCS-IM Blue: Hybrid standard reader
- ARCS-JM Blue: Hybrid keypad reader
About the Tests
UL294 is a safety standard by Underwriters Laboratories (UL) defining performance and compliance criteria for access control systems. The tested readers passed the following environmental, electrical, and mechanical tests:
- Rain Test: Device exposed to water spray (5 psi per head) at a 45° angle for maximum water impact.
- Dust Test: Placed in a sealed chamber (3 cubic feet) with 2 oz of cement dust (20-50% relative humidity) circulated for 1 hour via compressed air.
- Salt Fog Test: Exposed to salt fog (95% distilled water, 5% saline solution) at 1.17–1.31 bar and +35°C (+95°F) for 240 hours (10 days).
- Variable Ambient Temperature Test: Functional at voltages between -35°C (-31°F) and +65°C (+149°F).
- Humidity Test: Operated at 85% (±5%) relative humidity and +30°C / +86°F (±2°C / ±36°F) for 24 hours.
- Humid Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S) Test: Exposed to humid H2S gas in a closed chamber for 240 hours (10 days).
- Carbon Dioxide (CO₂) Test: Similar procedure to H2S test, using CO₂ gas for 240 hours (10 days).
- Alternating Corrosion Test: 21-day cycle simulating prolonged exposure to corrosive environmental conditions.
Internal and External Tests
Tested Readers
Slim Reader Architect® One (ARC1 & ARC1S Blue)
| Test | Result |
|---|---|
| Operating Temperatures | -30°C to +70°C / -22°F to +158°F |
| Water and Dust Resistance | IP65 Level (excluding connectors) - Weather resistant with waterproof electronics (CEI NF EN 61086) |
| Humidity Resistance | 0 to 95% |
| Saline Environments | Complies with DO-160F, Section 14, Category T (most severe environment for aeronautical equipment). Temperature: +35°C / +95°F / Salinity: 5% / Flow rate: 1.2 liters/hour / Duration: 96 hours |
| Impact Resistance | IK10 Certification |
| Fire Resistance | Yes, self-extinguishing – complies with UL94-V0 |
| UV Resistance | Yes – Housing material resistant to solar radiation |
| Liquid Resistance | Water, ammonia (13% solution), hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) |
Standard Reader Architect® (ARC-A & ARCS-A Blue)
| Test | Result |
|---|---|
| Operating Temperatures | -30°C to +70°C / -22°F to +158°F |
| Water and Dust Resistance | IP65 Level (excluding connectors) - Weather resistant with waterproof electronics (CEI NF EN 61086) |
| Humidity Resistance | 0 to 95% |
| Saline Environments | Complies with DO-160F, Section 14, Category T (most severe environment for aeronautical equipment). Temperature: +35°C / +95°F / Salinity: 5% / Flow rate: 1.2 liters/hour / Duration: 96 hours |
| Impact Resistance | IK10 Certification |
| Fire Resistance | Yes, self-extinguishing – complies with UL94-V0 |
| UV Resistance | Yes – Housing material resistant to solar radiation |
| Liquid Resistance | Water, ammonia (13% solution), hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) |
Keypad Reader Architect® (ARC-B & ARCS-B Blue)
| Test | Result |
|---|---|
| Operating Temperatures | -30°C to +70°C / -22°F to +158°F |
| Water and Dust Resistance | IP65 Level (excluding connectors) - Weather resistant with waterproof electronics (CEI NF EN 61086) |
| Humidity Resistance | 0 to 95% |
| Saline Environments | Complies with DO-160F, Section 14, Category T (most severe environment for aeronautical equipment). Temperature: +35°C / +95°F / Salinity: 5% / Flow rate: 1.2 liters/hour / Duration: 96 hours |
| Impact Resistance | IK08 Certification |
| Fire Resistance | Yes, self-extinguishing – complies with UL94-V0 |
| UV Resistance | Yes – Housing material resistant to solar radiation |
Salt Fog Resistance Tests
Description: Continuous corrosion test in a saturated salt fog atmosphere.
Test Parameters: Based on Document DO-160F, Section 14. Category T represents the most severe saline environment for onboard equipment.
- Temperature: +35°C / +95°F
- Salinity: 5%
- Flow Rate: 1.2 liters/hour
- Test Equipment: SSC-400 DYCOMETAL salt fog chamber
- Duration: 96 hours
Readers remained powered on and fully operational throughout the 96-hour test. Functionality was checked every 24 hours.
Results: Readers remained fully functional. LEDs operated normally, card data was read and transmitted correctly, and the UHF chip functioned as expected. A slight salt deposit was observed on the reader's surface, with no impact on performance.
Visuals:
- Architect readers: No salt deposits or oxidation found on antennas or flat keyboard cables.
- Architect One readers: Reader connection blocks showed no signs of oxidation. The non-tropicalized connector also showed no visible oxidation.
Temperature Resistance Tests
Description: Tests for resistance to extreme temperatures in a CLIMATS EX1421-HA thermal chamber.
Test Parameters:
- High Temperature: Exposed to +70°C / +158°F with 95% humidity for 48 hours, continuously reading a MIFARE® DESFire® EV3 card.
- Low Temperature: Subjected to -50°C / -122°F for 4 hours. Additional condition: water sprayed on the reader to intentionally form ice on the cover.
Results: Readers remained fully operational with no damage to the exterior coating.
Water Resistance Tests
Description: Tests to evaluate reader water resistance under conditions simulating intense and prolonged rainfall.
Test Parameters:
- Continuous high-flow spray from above for over 1 minute.
- Outdoor exposure for over 2 years.
- Automated high-pressure spray system for several months, simulating intense rain (Flow rate: 7 m³/h / 1.849 gal/h; Duration: up to 2 hours per day during summer).
Results: Despite some moisture observed inside the reader housing, the electronic coating treatment ensured devices remained fully functional.
Physical Resistance Tests
External Impact Resistance Tests (IK)
Description: Tests to determine the level of protection offered by the reader's external casing against physical impacts.
Test Parameters: Conducted by LCIE, according to IK classifications in IEC 62262 and NF EN 62262 standards.
- Impact Energy: 5 Joules (IK08) / 20 Joules (IK10)
- Number of Impacts: 5 on the front
- Mass: 1.7 kg / 60 oz (IK08) / 5 kg / 176 oz (IK10)
- Drop Height: 30 cm / 11.81 in (IK08) / 40 cm / 15.75 in (IK10)
Results: No damage was observed that compromised internal components or posed a risk to the user.
IK10 Test Results
- Standard Architect® readers (ARC-A / ARCS-A Blue / ARCT / ARC-L) are IK10 certified. Test Report No. 124505-650201.
- Slim Architect® One readers (ARCI / ARCIS Blue) are IK10 certified. Test Report No. 141657-685423.
IK08 Test Results
- Keypad readers (ARC-B / ARCS-B Blue / ARC-M) are IK08 certified. Test Report No. 145623-697063.
Fire Resistance Test
Description: Evaluates reader resistance to fire and its ability to operate after direct flame exposure.
Test Parameters:
- Duration: 3 minutes
- Reader sprayed with kerosene before ignition.
Results: The reader continued to operate fully. The lower part of the exterior casing (PC-ABS plastic) melted partially due to prolonged exposure to residual flames. However, the internal casing and electronic circuit remained intact, without affecting functionality.
Tests with Other Liquids
Description: Evaluates chemical resistance by immersing reader casings in ammonia and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂).
Test Parameters:
- Duration: 1 hour in each liquid.
- Liquid 1: 10% stabilized hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂).
- Liquid 2: 13% ammonia solution.
- Evaluated Casings: ARC-A (black and white), ARC1.
Results: No damage was observed on the reader casings. The STid logo and silkscreen graphics remained completely intact, showing excellent chemical resistance.
Other Resistance Tests
Various tests were conducted to simulate vandalism using common tools and real-life abuse scenarios. The readers resisted all attempts without losing physical integrity or functionality.
Test Methods Included:
- Cutter: Superficial marks on the casing, no penetration.
- Hammer: Casing marked, but not broken or cracked.
- Wrench: No structural damage.
- Stomping/Jumping: No deformation or failure.
- SUV Run Over: No significant damage, reader operational.
- Lighter Flame: Localized superficial discoloration, no effect on performance.
Extreme Stress Scenarios:
- 30 minutes in a heat chamber at +180°C / +356°F.
- Direct flame exposure: up to +2500°C / +4532°F.
- Freezing resistance: up to -50°C / -58°F.
- Impact test with concrete block:
- Drop height: 3 meters / 10 feet.
- Block weight: 20 kg / 44 lbs.
- Equivalent impact force: 100 kg / 220 lbs.
For more information, view our resistance tests: Crash test #1, Crash test #2.
Additional Recommendations for Extreme Environments
Additional Manual Coating
Description: Isolated cases of corrosion (less than 0.1% of readers) have been observed in Architect® readers installed in extreme environments, particularly marine environments (proximity to the sea) and areas with high humidity and intense rainfall. Tests were conducted to determine the best additional protection measure, recommending the use of MG Chemicals 419E acrylic coating.
- Type: Conformal acrylic coating
- Product Code: 419E-340G
- Technical Characteristics: Transparent when dry; Operating temperature: -65°C (-85°F) to +130°C (+266°F); Resistant to humidity and salt fog; UL746E and IPC-CC-830C certified; Dries quickly at room temperature or accelerated with heat; Compatible with repair and rework.
Recommendation: Tests demonstrated the effectiveness of 419E in corrosion protection. The most effective method is complete application over the entire board, including connectors.
We recommend:
- Using the 419E product on all Architect® readers installed in saline or tropical environments.
- Applying a uniform coat over the entire board and connectors, if possible.
Advantages of 419E (MG Chemicals):
- Excellent barrier against humidity and salinity.
- Easy spray application.
- Reversible for maintenance (can be removed with MG solvent).
- Considerably improves reader durability.
- Economical compared to replacement costs or post-sales support.
Application Guide:
- Shake the aerosol well.
- Test spray before application for proper flow.
- Tilt the board to 45° and apply a thin coat from 20–25 cm (8-10 inches). Spray evenly to avoid buildup. Start and end each pass beyond the surface.
- To prevent solvent trapping, wait for drying time before applying more coats.
- Rotate the board 90° and repeat for complete coverage.
- Repeat until desired thickness is achieved (return to step 3).
- Allow to dry to the touch before thermal curing.
- After use, clean the nozzle by inverting the aerosol and spraying briefly.
Additional Accessories
We recommend installing additional accessories on Architect® readers located in extreme environments, especially in:
- Marine environments (near the sea).
- Areas with high humidity or frequent rainfall.
| Reader Type | Accessory |
|---|---|
| Slim Architect® One Readers (ARCI, ARCIS Blue) | Protective screen with gasket. Product Code: SHIELD-ARC1-B |
| Standard Architect® Readers (ARC-A, ARCS-A Blue, ARCT, ARC-L) | Protective screen with gasket. Product Code: SHIELD-B |
| Keypad Readers Architect® (ARC-B, ARCS-B, ARC-M) | Protective cover for keypad. Product Code: RAIN-COVER_01 |
Protection Against Impacts and Vandalism
To enhance resistance to impacts and vandalism, especially in exposed or high-risk areas, we strongly recommend using our protective screens. Ideal for environments such as:
- Public access areas: parking lots, transport stations, unsupervised outdoor areas.
- Crowded places: stadiums, schools, business receptions.
- Risk zones: urban areas, remote or industrial sites.
| Reader Type | Accessory |
|---|---|
| Slim Architect® One Readers (ARCI, ARCIS Blue) | Protective screen with gasket. Product Code: SHIELD-ARC1-B |
| Standard Architect® Readers (ARC-A, ARCS-A Blue, ARCT, ARC-L) | Protective screen with gasket. Product Code: SHIELD-B |
