Moisture Issues in Electrical Installations: How Wieland Helps Prevent Damage

Published on 17 October 2025Time to read: 3 minutes

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Moisture and electricity form a hazardous combination. Yet, it is inevitable that electrical installations are also used in damp environments; think of horticulture, the food industry, or outdoor setups. In such situations, it is essential to keep moisture out of the installation as much as possible. One of the first things to consider when purchasing electrical equipment is the IP rating, which indicates how well a product is protected against water and dust.

Where does it go wrong?
Even products with a high IP rating can fail. Moisture may enter through the sealing of a device housing, for example due to incorrect installation or material wear. Many seals are made of rubber, which can dry out over time and develop small cracks. As long as moisture does not reach the electrical components directly, damage is often limited. Devices with a high IP rating are usually double-insulated, meaning two barriers must be breached before a safety risk arises.

However, once moisture has entered, it can migrate through the system. This becomes especially problematic when it reaches sensitive electronic components. Such damage can result in costly repairs or even the failure of entire systems.

Practical Example from Horticulture
A common scenario occurs in horticulture, where lamps in greenhouses generate significant heat during operation. This causes overpressure inside the luminaire. Many fixtures are equipped with a pressure relief valve to safely release this pressure. After switching off the lighting, cooling leads to underpressure, which draws in air. To prevent humid air from entering, a special filter is often used that only allows dry air to pass through.

However, when connection cables age and develop micro-cracks, or a junction box is not fully watertight, moist air can be drawn in through the cable or junction box. Over time, this can lead to a considerable amount of moisture entering the luminaire. This is especially problematic with modern LED lamps, where the power supply is integrated, making them more vulnerable to moisture-related failures.

Wieland RST^®: An Innovative Solution

In the horticultural sector, Wieland RST^® connectors have been used for years to connect lighting systems. Wieland therefore feels a responsibility to help address moisture-related issues. After extensive research and testing, a new solution has been developed: additional contact seals for the RST^® connectors.

These so-called contact seals prevent moisture from being transported via cables and connectors to sensitive components such as LED lamps. The seals effectively block the “moisture pathways” within the installation, ensuring that humid air cannot travel through cables or connectors.

This innovation is now available for nearly all RST^® connectors. A version for existing installations using RST20i3^® connectors will be launched soon.

Easy Installation with Hand Tool

To enable easy retrofitting of the new seals in existing systems, Wieland has developed a special hand tool. This tool allows sealing rings to be quickly and securely mounted onto the male pins of the connector, whether in a luminaire chassis or on a separate connection cable.

Thanks to this solution, existing installations can be upgraded without the need to replace entire luminaires or connectors. This not only saves costs but also prevents unnecessary system downtime.

Naturally, new chassis parts are also available with the contact seal already integrated.

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Conclusion:

Moisture problems in electrical systems can lead to costly damage and unsafe situations. With Wieland’s new sealing solution for RST^® connectors, this risk is significantly reduced. A smart and effective innovation that greatly enhances the reliability of installations in humid environments.

Want to learn more? Feel free to contact us.

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