G. Spelsberg empty housing of the TK PC series with accessories

DLG-APPROVED: "Resistance to ammonia"

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Test report 7240 

The approval

A test mark “DLG-APPROVED for individual criteria” is awarded for agricultural products which have successfully fulfilled a scope-reduced usability testing conducted by DLG according to independent and recognised evaluation criteria. The test is intended to highlight particular innovations and key criteria of the test object. The test may contain criteria from the DLG test scope for overall tests, or focus on other value-determining characteristics and properties of the test subject. The minimum requirements, test conditions and procedures as well as the valuation bases of the test results will be specified in consultation with an expert group of DLG. They correspond to the recognized rules of technology, as well as scientific and agricultural knowledge and requirements. The successful testing is concluded with the publication of a test report, as well as the awarding of the test mark which is valid for five years from the date of awarding.

The DLG-APPROVED test “Ammonia resistance” includes technical examinations in the laboratory and in the NH3 test chamber of the DLG Test Center Technology and Farm Inputs in Gross-Umstadt. Brand-new samples of all materials used were tested. The testing was based on the DLG test specification for the study of ammonia resistance, version 2.4/2021. Other criteria were not tested.

Assessment in brief

The brand-new materials are tested regarding their ammonia resistance according to DLG-APPROVED test methods. The tested materials have met the requirements regarding the examined criteria.

Table 1: Summary of test results

Dlg Quality profile  Test resultEvaluation* 
Single Criteria Resistance to Ammonia  
Component– TK PC Serieinstallation distribution boardresistant
++++
 – SNIstepped nippleresistant
++++
 – ASTattachment spoutresistant
++++
 – BSTventilation spoutresistant
++++
 – DMSdouble membrane spoutresistant
++++
 – DMS/swdouble membrane spoutresistant
++++
  insulating plugresistant
++++

*    The DLG test framework provides the following options in its evaluation schemes:    
+++  or better = meets, exceeds or clearly exceeds the specified DLG standard
++  = meets the legal requirements for marketability,
+ = failed

The product

Description and specifications

The materials tested here are components of the empty housing of the TK PC series (TK PC 55 to TK PC 3625). The empty case is also used in animal houses, and can thus be exposed to elevated levels of ammonia in the housing environment.

Table 2: Specifications (manufacturer information)

Empty housing series TK PC 
Rated voltage690 V
Length52 - 361 mm
Width50 - 254 mm
Height35 - 165 mm
Accessories Dimensions
SNIstepped nippleØ 30 mm x 20 mm
ASTattachment spoutØ 30 mm x 23 mm
BSTventilation spoutØ 25,5 mm x 13 mm
DMSdouble membrane spoutØ 25,5 mm x 14 mm
DMS/swdouble membrane spoutØ 30 mm x 15 mm
 insulating plugØ 14 mm x 5 mm

The method

Ammonia resistance

The ammonia resistance of the materials was determined by a laboratory testing according to the DLG test standard for agricultural use. With the DLG laboratory test for NH3 resistance, it is possible to determine the ability of the test sample to withstand the effects of animal house air over a usage period of about 10 years.

The test was carried out in a gassing chamber under the following climate conditions:

Duration of the test 1500 h
Air temperature 70 °C
Relative humidity 70 %
Ammonia concentration 750 ppm

For assessing the NH3 resistance, the test samples were examined visually, gravimetrically and through a measurement of the material thickness before and after the climate testing. The measurement of shore hardness only yielded relevant and tangible results for the accessory parts. The materials were tested on the basis of at least two samples.

Figure 2: DLG test lab – two ammonia chambers
Figure 2: DLG test lab – two ammonia chambers

The test results in detail

Ammonia resistance

During the test, all tested components and materials were resistant. No visual or functional properties of the materials were restricted after the fumigation in the ammonia-containing environment.

All deviations of the measured parameters were within the measurement uncertainty or the evaluation ­thresholds. Thus, it can be assumed that the materials are able to sufficiently withstand a NH3-containing atmosphere, as it would be the case for exhaust air in pig houses.

Table 3: Change through the NH3 exposure – empty housing

ComponentVisual assessmentWeightThicknessEvaluation
Box/cover grey with sealno change0.2 %resistant
Cover blue transparent with sealno change0.2 %0.9 %resistant
Cover screw Ano change2.3 %3.8 %resistant
Cover screw Uno change1.5 %< 0.1 %resistant
Empty housing series TK PC   resistant

Table 4: Change through the NH3 exposure – accessories

Accessories Visual assessmentWeightShore hardnessEvaluation
SNIstepped nippleno change< 3.0 %< 5.0 %resistant
ASTattachment spoutno change< 3.0 %< 5.0 %resistant
BSTventilation spoutno change< 3.0 %< 5.0 %resistant
DMSdouble membrane spoutno change< 3.0 %< 5.0 %resistant
DMS/swdouble membrane spoutno change< 3.0 %+ 6.5 %resistant
 insulating plugno change< 3.0 %< 5.0 %resistant

Summary

The brand-new materials were tested regarding their ammonia resistance in the laboratory and in the NH3 test chamber of the DLG Test Center Technology and Farm Inputs in Gross-Umstadt according to DLG-APPROVED test methods. All tested materials have met the requirements regarding the examined criteria. Thus, the entire component is to be classified as resistant to ammonia-containing air.

Manufacturer and applicant

Manufacturer and applicant

Günther Spelsberg GmbH & Co. KG
Im Gewerbepark 1
D-58579 Schalksmühle

Contact
Telephone+49 (0)2355 892-0
Telefax +49 (0)2355 892-299
info@spelsberg.de
www.spelsberg.de

Test implementation

DLG TestService GmbH, Gross-Umstadt location
The tests are conducted on behalf of DLG e.V.

Department
Agriculture

Division head
Dr. Ulrich Rubenschuh

DLG test scope
DLG test specification “Ammonia resistance”, for light systems and stable equipments (version 2.4/2021)

Test engineer
Dipl.-Ing. (FH) Tommy Pfeifer *

*    Author

Contact us

DLG TestService GmbH - Groß-Umstadt location • Max-Eyth-Weg 1 • 64823 Groß-Umstadt • Tel: +49 69 24 788-600 • tech@DLG.org