Waterproof Cases

Being an exceptionally competitive market, waterproof cases – as well as being the toughest available – also usually boast a wide range of additional features and benefits.

Every aspect of the various cases are thoroughly researched, developed and perfected to ensure that whatever brand of waterproof case you choose, it will be exceptionally secure, easy to use and offers exceptional protection from shock, impact and vibration as well as water and dust.

As a result, it is clear to see why so many businesses, professionals and indeed hobbyists will always choose a waterproof case.

• Any environment where water damage could be significant (e.g. marine, offshore etc.)
• Military use and “mission critical” operations
• Heavy duty industrial applications
• Hot climates (also being dust proof)
• Shipping or storing items which are sensitive to pressure changes
• Aerospace, automotive, equipment hire, and service engineer applications
• Any situation where products or equipment simply cannot be damaged

The obvious and critical feature of any waterproof case is its’ IP rating.

Standing for ingress protection, IP ratings are a measure of protection an item such as a protective case offers against the intrusion / ingress of foreign bodies.  This also covers solid foreign bodies, such as sand and dust, but is in effect, a measure of how waterproof a case is.

The 2 digit code provides a quick reference for the level of protection.

The first digit highlights the level of protection against contact with moving parts and the degree that items within an enclosure are protected against solid foreign bodies intruding.

The second digit indicates the level of protection for the products / equipment inside the case against the entry of various forms of moisture. This includes dripping, spraying and submersion of various times / depths.

For a full chart detailing the levels of protection – and how these relate to the cases available through GWP – please download the PDF by clicking below. Alternatively, you can see an in depth article explaining IP Ratings here.

With the ability to be submerged underwater for prolonged periods of time, it is essential that waterproof cases can deal with potential changes in pressure. This is primarily achieved through the use of pressure relief valves.

Different cases offer different solutions to this. Some of the older, more established cases will feature manual pressure relief valves which need to be adjusted by the user.

However, much more common – and useful – is the introduction and widespread adoption of automatic valves. These automatically adjust and equalise the pressure between the inside and outside of the case.

This proves to be of great benefit if the case is submerged for a prolonged period, used in high altitude locations, or stored in the hold of an aircraft.

For example, this can prevent cases “popping” open if they are exposed to particularly low pressure (e.g. in the hold of an aircraft) or rapidly move from high to low pressure (e.g. resurfacing after being submerged).

Many highly calibrated tools can also be sensitive to pressure changes. So if being transported via aircraft, the gradual equalising of the pressure inside and outside the case can be important for protection.

The larger waterproof cases – regardless of manufacturer – tend to feature inline wheels to aid their transportation.

Usually integrated into the body of the case to avoid them becoming damaged, plus helping the case to retain its sleek design and outer dimensions, inline wheels enable ease of use when pulling the case – even over rough terrain.

This feature can be particularly useful when transporting larger waterproof cases manually over prolonged periods or distances, especially with heavy contents.

In addition to the inline wheels on the larger protective cases, any case that benefits from these will also generally feature a telescopic, retractable handle too. This means that the case can be easily pulled when being transported manually, without affecting the outer design or size of the case.

Security is an obvious concern when transporting expensive, delicate, rare or specialist items, and the majority of waterproof cases have this covered.

Virtually all of the cases you can specify from GWP offer the ability to padlock the case, usually moulded into the exterior shell. This allows you to choose your won lock, including those which are accepted at airports throughout the US and other countries.

This is particularly important and useful if your waterproof case will be out of reach for any length of time (e.g. left on site, in the hold of an aircraft etc.) or if particularly expensive or sensitive items are to be kept within the case.

As such, this is a feature which is also widely seen on similar cases that are designed specifically for storing and transporting guns and laptops.

A key custom option for most types of waterproof case are what is known as Bezel kits.

Bezel kits are effectively an aluminium, rectangular frame that is used as a system to mount various types of equipment (predominantly electronic) into either the lid or the base of the case. The bezel (or panel mount kit as they also referred to) utilises moulded corner pieces that will fit at any depth within the case, allowing the equipment to be mounted at any height.

The bezel kits also come with extruded aluminium sections for the bezel sides, and these screw directly into the side of the case. Rubber “O” rings are also used in order to maintain the waterproof properties of the case.

The common use is for electronic equipment to be contained and / or mounted using these bezels.

Micro computers, measurement and metrological devices, testing equipment and much else can all be mounted within the case, allowing for ease of transportation, use and of course the protection provided by the case itself.

Waterproof cases typically come with 2 foam interior options.

The first of these is a standard, cubed foam insert. Also known as “pick and pluck” foam, the foam insert is divided into layers, and then further divided into one cm cubes which can be removed as required by the end user.

The key benefit of this is that the foam can be perfectly tailored to specific items, reducing movement in transit and adding a layer of cushioning protection. The foam can also be configured to allow for multiple items to be organised and stored within the same case.

This is particularly cost effective for low volume and one off case requirements.

If a higher volume of cases is required – or the protection levels must be the highest possible – the custom foam inserts would be the more appropriate choice.

These would see the foam designed and manufactured to the exact shape of your products or equipment, whilst it is also possible to calculate the precise level of cushioning protection required.

If you haven’t yet found your perfect waterproof case then please get in touch – whatever your requirement GWP can help you with specific application.