MIL-STD-810 is a military standard established by the United States Department of Defence, first developed in the 1950s for testing military equipment. It has since broadened its scope to include consumer technology, quickly becoming the most used standard for rugged notebooks, tablets and handheld devices.
Technical equipment must pass a series of rigorous tests to get certified based on its ability to withstand environmental stress. The testing procedures outlined in the MIL-STD-810 standard are designed to simulate a vast array of environmental conditions.
These include temperature extremes, humidity, vibration, shock, sand, dust and even explosive atmospheres. Each test is meticulously designed and executed to replicate the real-world challenges that equipment may face.
This process not only validates a product’s durability but also identifies the potential weakness that manufacturers can address before the product reaches the market.
What is MIL-STD-810H?
This standard provides guidance on planning and engineering for material acquisition programs, focusing on how environmental stresses affect materials over their entire service life. It doesn’t set design or test specifications but outlines an environmental tailoring process to achieve realistic designs and test methods based on performance needs.
MIL-STD-810H is the successor to MIL-STD-810G, signifying a shift from lab simulated environments to mission-centric, prioritizing specific operational environments of the device – also encompassing rapid shifts in conditions to ensure their durability against these.
With each iteration, the standard has expanded its scope, incorporating lessons learned from both military and commercial sectors. The letters G & H only signify revisions or iterations, categorized in alphabetic order.
The iteration H still maintains the G categorization standard, in three parts, as follows:
Part I – Environment Engineering Program Guidelines
Part II – Laboratory Test Methods
Part III – World Climatic Regions – Guidance
While guidelines, test methods and climatic guidance are all equally important, most vendors tend to focus on Test Methods, while outsourcing the lab tests to a third party, to address a rugged computer’s resistance and durability against environmental factors – leaving the consumer to focus on the following question:
- Which/what Military Standard did it pass?
- What test methods were used to meet the standard?
- What were the parameters of the test method?
- What were the results of the tests?
We’ve categorized the test methods, their purposes, methods, applications and limitations – for a quick, yet comprehensive guide to understanding, here
The influence of MIL-STD-810 extends beyond the United States, impacting international markets and setting a global and setting a global benchmark for ruggedness and durability in technology. Numerous countries have adopted similar standards or use MIL-STD-810 as a reference point for their own testing protocols – This global recognition underscores the standard’s importance, and the trust placed in it by industries worldwide.
While the MIL-STD-810 is respected, it is essential to note that it does not provide a one-size-fits-all solution. Each product undergoes tests tailored to its intended environment and use-case, meaning that different products may be certified for different conditions, providing a meaningful and relevant certification.
Therefore, ensuring that a product meets the relevant test methods is crucial for maintaining its durability against environmental conditions throughout its lifecycle. By adhering to these standards, we can guarantee that the product remains reliable and effective in various situations.