How Do You Protect Electronics From High Humidity?

Electronic devices are an important part of our lives. Many factors affect the performance and longevity of electronic devices. It is easy to overlook this effect, especially if the air is humid. This article teaches you how to protect electronic equipment with a dehumidifier.

Use a dehumidifier to stabilize the humidity in the room within the specific relative humidity range of your electronic equipment. Also make sure that the dehumidifier is not placed too close to the electronic device or blowing air directly into sensitive equipment, as dry air currents can sometimes carry dust and debris that can damage electronic devices over time.

How High Humidity Affects Electronics

Why does working in a humid environment shorten the lifespan of a laptop, computer, or other important gadget?

Humidity can cause rust and corrosion on the outside. Your electronic devices contain metal parts. Metal is exposed to oxygen in the air. This reaction causes it to oxidize, which in turn leads to rust and corrosion. It can also lead to internal rust and corrosion if there are seepage points. 

Moist air can also cause electrical failures in the short term, and even small amounts of water can conduct electricity and cause power shortages. Metal parts are critical to your electronic devices. If they corrode and rust, the performance of the electronic device will gradually weaken and eventually malfunction.

There are many circuits embedded in the common electronic devices we use every day. These circuits consist of metal parts and keep the electric current running. Humidity in the air also contains water. This water can cause serious damage to the circuits and eventually short-circuit the gadget. Air can cause circuit boards and other sensitive components to condense, rendering them inoperable.

Some devices are designed to operate at a stable temperature. Excessive temperature fluctuations and malfunctions can lead to overheating problems, which in turn can cause failures.

Note: If your work area has a lot of electronic equipment or is very humid, then you should consider a commercial dehumidifier to ensure that your equipment will function properly and last longer.

Why Do You Need a Dehumidifier for Protecting Electronics?

A dehumidifier is actually a powerful device that can remove excess moisture from the air. It keeps the humidity levels in a safe range where they cannot harm your devices further. 

Often, it is a common understanding to purchase the dehumidifier only when you need it. This is a misguided belief that might lead to the ultimate malfunction of your electronic devices. 

You never know when moisture is starting to build up in your house or the workspace. There are a few locations in your house where moisture can accumulate pretty quickly. Places like crawlspace, basements, and enclosed places with poor ventilation have a very high chance of containing humidity. The complication occurs when these places are more likely to serve as storage units. In such a situation, search for “the best home dehumidifier” and purchase it quickly. The same goes for commercial and industrial spaces. Making a timely purchase of the dehumidifier helps you:

1. Prevent corrosion: You can actively prevent the corrosion of the metallic components by preventing moisture buildup in the air. 
2. When the excessive moisture from the air is removed, there is no chance of condensation on the circuitry of the electronic devices, which in turn leads to the prevention of electrical malfunctions. 
3. By controlling moisture, you also prevent overheating or temperature fluxes which in turn reduces the chances of your devices frying up. 

In short, when you are storing electronics in basement or crawl spaces or enclosed industrial spaces with little to no ventilation, please do so cautiously while using a dehumidifier. It always saves you from expensive downtime and unexpected troubles. 

How Do You Protect Electronics From High Humidity?

Keeping electronics safe in high-humidity environments can be tricky, but with the right precautions, it's doable. If you’re in a place with constantly high moisture, you might be asking: “What steps can I take to prevent damage?” Let’s break it down into actionable tips and solutions.

What’s the Best Way to Control Humidity?

If you’re dealing with high humidity at home or in your office, the most effective solution is controlling the environment.

Dehumidifiers: These devices pull excess moisture from the air. For an average room, a dehumidifier rated for about 50 pints per day should suffice. Make sure to keep your electronics in a room where the humidity is always under 50%. You can even use smaller, portable dehumidifiers for specific areas like closets or cabinets. 

NOTE: I recommend Abestorm as a website that has dehumidifiers suitable for different space sizes. For example, in crawl spaces, there are 70-pint crawl space dehumidifiers. In commercial, there are 275 pint dehumidifiers. On top of that it has an air scrubber and accessories for everything related to the crawl space.

Air Conditioners: These also remove moisture from the air. Running your AC consistently keeps the humidity down and cools your devices. Make sure the room stays around 40-50% humidity, which is the ideal level for electronic devices.

Silica Gel Packs: Ever noticed those little packs in new products? They absorb moisture, and you can use them to your advantage. Place them inside storage boxes, drawers, or even within your device's casing, if possible. You can buy these in bulk for as little as $10 per hundred packs, and they last quite a while.

How to Protect Electronics From High Humidity?

Place a dehumidifier in the room where the electronics are stored. The goal is to keep the relative humidity (RH) between 30-50%. Dehumidifiers, especially industrial or portable dehumidifiers, can effectively remove excess moisture from the air.

Use a hygrometer to check the humidity regularly. This helps to ensure that the environment in which your electronics are located remains within safe limits. 

Keep the device away from kitchens, bathrooms, basements, or any place that is prone to moisture. Choose a well-ventilated, climate-controlled space to store your device.

For smaller electronic devices or devices that are used infrequently, store them in an airtight container with a silica gel pack to absorb moisture.

For high-value electronic equipment or sensitive equipment, moisture-resistant conformal coatings can be used.

Some electronic components may benefit from anti-corrosion sprays, which protect against moisture.

To reduce moisture build-up, install ventilation fans or cooling fans near electronic equipment. This improves air circulation and reduces the likelihood of damage due to humidity.

Ensure that all vents or openings on the electronic device are unobstructed to allow heat and moisture to escape.

Use silica gel packets or other desiccants in the package to store electronic devices. These materials absorb excess moisture from the surrounding air and prevent it from affecting the device. Desiccants can become saturated over time. Monitor it and replace it regularly. 

Dust and moisture can form a layer of dirt on electronic devices. Use a microfibre cloth to clean surfaces regularly to prevent moisture from settling in crevices.

Check the equipment regularly for signs of condensation or corrosion, especially during periods or areas of high humidity.

Even with protection, unforeseen moisture damage can occur. Regularly back up critical data to an external hard drive or cloud storage to ensure it is not lost.

If the environment becomes too humid and there is a risk of damage, power down the device to reduce internal heat that may trap condensation.

Related reading: When Should You Use a Dehumidifier?

Other Dehumidification Methods

Purchase a moisture-proof box, these boxes are capable of keeping the inside dry with an inbuilt dehumidifying device. They are particularly suitable for storing delicate electronic equipment such as cameras and lenses.

For equipment that is not used regularly, you can store it in a vacuum-sealed bag. This will completely insulate them from moisture in the outside air, preventing oxidation and humidity.

Place silica gel or other desiccant in the vacuum bag to further absorb any moisture that may remain inside.

Place electronic devices on a moisture-proof mat or waterproof base to avoid direct contact with wet floors or desks, especially in humid areas such as basements.

For electronic devices that need to be left unused for long periods, regular switching on and running will keep the inside of the device dry and avoid moisture build-up.

Electronic devices that have not been used for a long period are more susceptible to moisture, and regular powering up of these devices will dissipate the moisture through the heat inside the device.

Moisture usually seeps through walls, especially during the wet season. Keep electronic devices away from walls to avoid moisture directly affecting the device.

FAQs

Can I Waterproof My Electronic Devices?

While it is not possible to completely waterproof all electronic equipment, there are ways to add a protective coating. Apply a conformal coating to the device circuitry. These liquid coatings dry to a protective film and are ideal for sensitive devices. They usually cost around $20 per can, and one can cover multiple devices. Use specially designed waterproof cases for electronic devices. Brands such as Pelican and OtterBox offer cases that are moisture-resistant, making them ideal for laptops, tablets, and mobile phones when traveling or working in wet areas.

Is Ventilation Important For My Device?

Yes, proper ventilation is critical. Without air circulation, heat and moisture can be trapped inside your device, increasing the risk of damage. If you store electronic devices such as routers or home entertainment systems in cabinets, make sure the cabinets have good air circulation. Add a small fan if necessary to keep the air circulating. Don't keep electronics in tight spaces where air can't circulate. Leave space for air to circulate desktop computers, stereo equipment, or any large device that generates heat.

What Should I Do If Moisture Gets Inside?

Sometimes, even with precautions taken, moisture can still slip in. If this happens don't wait. Switch off the unit immediately to prevent a short circuit. If you can, open the device and allow air to circulate to speed up the drying process. For smartphones, remove the battery if possible. Always consult the instruction manual before attempting this. Place the device in a bag with rice or silica gel to absorb moisture. Rice may take up to 48 hours to fully absorb the moisture, but silica gel works faster at about 24 hours.

Can I Use My Electronics Outside In The Wet?

You need to be extra careful if you use your electronics in outdoor environments with high humidity, such as camping or working at the beach. Purchase a case designed for outdoor use. Choose an enclosure with a protection rating such as IP67, which means the enclosure can withstand dust and water. Never place the device directly on the ground. Use a stand or table to prevent contact with wet surfaces.

Conclusion

Electronic devices form an integral part of our lives. If you are dealing with expensive machinery such as gaming systems or high-tech commercial equipment, you need to regulate the moisture levels properly and install dehumidifiers. This simple effort leads to the expanded lifespan of your electronics and prevents expensive repairs and maintenance in the future.