Environmental tests are used to verify a piece of equipment can withstand the rigors of harsh environments, for example:
extremely high and low temperatures
large, swift variations in temperature
blown and settling sand and dust
salt spray and salt fog
very high or low humidity
wet environments
fungus
vibrations (airborne and structural)
accelerations
solar radiation
high and low pressures (especially for aeronautical and space equipment)
operating at angles (especially for marine, aeronautical and space equipment)
electromagnetic interference (EMI)
Such tests are most commonly performed on equipment used in military, maritime, aeronautical and space applications. See Environmental test chambers for more information about environmental testing equipment.
Environmental test standards include
MIL-STD-810, "Test Method Standard for Environmental Engineering Considerations and Laboratory Tests", presently (2010) version G, issued in 2009
MIL-HDBK-2036, "Preparation of Electronic Equipment Specifications", issued 1999
IEC 60068, "Environmental Testing", with many parts.
IEC 60945, "Maritime navigation and radiocommunication equipment and systems - General requirements - Methods of testing and required test results", issued 2002 and due for review in 2007
RTCA DO-160, "Environmental Conditions and Test Procedures for Airborne Equipment", first published in 1975
MIL-STD-461, "Department of Defense Interface Standard: Requirements for the Control of Electromagnetic Interference Characteristics of Subsystems and Equipment (10 DEC 2007)", presently version F.
