Water pressure in different shaped tanks

In summary, an electrical enclosure must be submerged to 1m for 30 minutes with no water ingress to achieve an IP67 rating. An alternative test setup was proposed using a thin pipe into a closed chamber, but it is unclear if the water pressure on the equipment under test (EUT) is the same as in the basic setup shown in Fig A. The pressure in a column of fluid can be calculated using a simple formula and is governed by Pascal's Law.
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jlj
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For an IP67 rating (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IP_Code), an electrical enclosure must be submerged to 1m for 30 minutes with no water ingress.

A basic test setup is shown in Fig A with the EUT ( Equipment Under Test) placed at the bottom of a tank.

attachment.php?attachmentid=71439&stc=1&d=1405689996.jpg


An alternative test setup was proposed to me, as shown in Fig B.
This setup has a thin pipe into a closed chamber, with the same overall depth of water.

I want to say that the pressure on the EUT is the same with the two setups, but my intuition says otherwise.

So, does Fig B result in the same water pressure on the EUT as Fig A? Why?
 

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  • #2

What is water pressure and how is it measured?

Water pressure is the force exerted by water on a surface. It is typically measured in units of pounds per square inch (psi) or kilopascals (kPa).

How does the shape of a tank affect water pressure?

The shape of a tank can affect water pressure by changing the distribution of force exerted by the water. In a cylindrical tank, the pressure is evenly distributed on the walls of the tank. In a rectangular tank, the pressure is concentrated on the corners and edges.

Does the height of a tank affect water pressure?

Yes, the height of a tank can affect water pressure. According to Pascal's law, the pressure exerted by a fluid is directly proportional to the height of the fluid column. Therefore, the higher the tank, the higher the water pressure.

What is the relationship between water pressure and volume in a tank?

The relationship between water pressure and volume in a tank is indirect. As the volume of water in a tank increases, the pressure will decrease due to the increase in surface area that the force is distributed over. However, the height of the water column will also increase, which will result in a higher pressure.

Can the shape of a tank affect the flow rate of water?

Yes, the shape of a tank can affect the flow rate of water. In a rectangular tank, the corners and edges can create turbulent flow, which can slow down the rate at which water moves through the tank. This is why cylindrical tanks are often used for high flow rate systems.

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