topic Re: Waterproof Test by Service Menu Pressure Sensor Test in XPERIA archive

Waterproof Test by Service Menu Pressure Sensor Test

dquilon — Wed, 07 Jan 2015 18:46:26 GMT

Hello everyone,

I have been reading about this subject for a while now as I wait eagerly for the arrival of my new Xperia Z3 Compact... (I have also been reading about cracking screens, camera pink spots, self opening flaps, etc)... HOWEVER...

I don't want to go crazy over issues that might be isolated and not widespread, but the Pressure Sensor test seems to be one thing that is still unclarified by an oficial Sony statement or at least by a representative AND present on all Z3 / Z3C devices.

So in this line of thought I would like to ask if some of the notable members of this forums know if there is some kind of equilization valve/membrane embedded on the Xperia Z3 / Z3 Compact handsets since the Pressure Test seems to point to that conclusion.

When performed (*#*#7378423#*#* -> Service Test -> Pressure Sensor) pressing gently the screen while all the flaps are closed, the pressure rises and if you hold your finger, it will fall back to the atmospheric pressure. IS THIS NORMAL? the pressure holds in the Z3 if the landyard hole is closed by your finger while testing.

Here is a youtube video about this, and the reason of my confusion. Sony Xperia Z3 common waterproofing defect in wrist strap hole

I understand that if this wasn't the case, the phone would be in danger if there are drastic atmospheric changes like flying on an airplane, but I would really like to be sure that this pressure equalization is normal and it is an indication that the phone can survive immersion in water as my Acro S has for the past 2 years.

There is a thread on XDA about this subject too, but it still unclarified by Sony. XDA test waterproofing without water

The note on the original post reads:

"pressure will decrease automatically - that is likely a result of some mechanism (membrane/valve behind lanyard hole) to adjust for changes in atmospheric pressure to allow the barometer to work."

Is this true?

Thanks, hopefully I made myself clear, if not I would be happy to try to explain myself further.

Diego.

Re: Waterproof Test by Service Menu Pressure Sensor Test

Thommo — Wed, 07 Jan 2015 19:10:44 GMT

Honestly I don't know and I've seen many Z3's water tested without issue but I will inform the right members and have one respong to this

Re: Waterproof Test by Service Menu Pressure Sensor Test

dandy63 — Wed, 07 Jan 2015 19:11:33 GMT

Hi, i've read the thread about this a few times on XDA.....some people swear by the results but some dont, some of the results tend to vary, i personally wouldn't trust them but the test is there for a reason i suppose. When any member on this forum has suffered suspected water ingress on their phone i always advise them to insist on a Vacuum Test when the phone arrives at Xperia Care.....interseting tho :smileysmileywink:

Re: Waterproof Test by Service Menu Pressure Sensor Test

dquilon — Wed, 07 Jan 2015 20:34:09 GMT

Thanks for the support Thommo and dandy,

My big concern is that I live in a third world country with little to no access to Sony's phones due to strict import regulations and a communist dictatorship disguised as a democracy... And the problem comes when all of our devices we have to get them at a very high price without local warranty, either online or when traveling to foreign countries.

So a family member is actually traveling to New Zealand and I took advantage of the opportunity so I asked the favor of buying the Z3 Compact (checked to be D5833, 14W45. Green) on a local Sony store so I can pay him when he gets back. And due to all this concerns I even asked him through a long distance call to check the Service Menu for various test, including the Pressure Sensor, having similar results to what the XDA thread shows. My relative arrives the 24th of this month so I wanted to test as much as I can since I don't think the warranty will extend to my country once the phone is here so...

Additionally when I got back to work, a coworker coincidentially also got a Z3 Compact (D5803 14W43. Black) in his travel to the US, and I sat down with him and test everything I could, and fortunately the device is in great condition even after a hard fall. The translucent corner had inside cracks but both panels (back and front) are like new.

------------ Back to the main topic -------------

I tested this device of him ALSO having the same results of Pressure rising when pressed but slowly equalizing even if hold... and this time (maybe for Z3 Compact model) covering the landyard hole makes no difference with pressure. It does not retain the elevated pressure, so it might be an indication that IF there is a valve it could be located in a different place for the Z3C...

I will wait for additional replies and hopefully we can uncover this mistery and it could be good news and ease of mind for people wanting to test (under proper conditions) the water proofing capabilities of our devices.

Re: Waterproof Test by Service Menu Pressure Sensor Test

z28xtce — Wed, 07 Jan 2015 22:07:28 GMT

There is no comment from Sony on this because the barometer test is not a waterproofing test, just as the bag of rice is not a phone saving miracle for waterlogged phones.

Re: Waterproof Test by Service Menu Pressure Sensor Test

Thommo — Wed, 07 Jan 2015 22:19:17 GMT

They may not to you directly but because I have contacted them then they will either reply here or let me know intern I will reply - Staff are away from work at the moment as they are in Sweden so tomorrow being the 8th hopefully a reply will be given to this - That's all I can do

Re: Waterproof Test by Service Menu Pressure Sensor Test

SergioPL1 — Wed, 07 Jan 2015 22:42:19 GMT

I just tested mine Z3C and yes... if I press the screen presure rises fast and then slowly (2 - 3 secs) equalizes.

Re: Waterproof Test by Service Menu Pressure Sensor Test

dquilon — Thu, 08 Jan 2015 00:42:09 GMT

z28xtc,

with all due respect, I partially disagree with you, because even though the test is not an absolute measurement of the waterproof capabilities of the phone, it does give a good indication in telling the owner that they have a sealed device or not...

When the test is perfomed with the flaps opened, the Pressure will not rise if you press the screen, but IF this happens even when you close the flaps, then you definitely have a bad sealing on the phone and its reason enough to avoid submerging it.

I have 5 years of experience with Mechanical Seals and sealing technology but I would like to understand better how it is implemented our Xperia devices, so we can properly take care of them... My Xperia Acro S has given me 2 years of joyful waterproof entertainment allowing me to take pictures of my family in the pool, rain and even the beach and waterslides.... so I just want to continue to enjoy my type of usage with newer devices.

Re: Waterproof Test by Service Menu Pressure Sensor Test

z28xtce — Thu, 08 Jan 2015 06:52:59 GMT

Hi, I understand what you're saying but the barometric test is not the way I would trust at all for an expensive phone. Hopefully sony can enlighten all of us to a specific way to test these phones that is 100% foolproof.

Re: Waterproof Test by Service Menu Pressure Sensor Test

dquilon — Thu, 08 Jan 2015 13:43:46 GMT

I agree with you on that part... It is an expensive phone, not as expensive as other alternatives but definitely not cheap... so I will also hesitate to dunk it on water...

Hopefully Thommo will receive an answer about this. But I don't think that there is a better way to test this feature without submersion. This test is also a worse scenario than diving into water because the pressure from the water would help to retain the flaps closed, and this test would actually try to pop the flaps open, so to speak.

Anyway in my line of work we perform sealing test with pressure using a specific device for important products, and in many cases the test are nowhere near the actually degree of complexity that the product will experience, however the test is there to further prove quality control of the product.

I take this pressure sensor test as a similar situation, where we can safely test if the device is behaving normally (If the answer by Sony indicates so). If my phone do not pass this test I will definitely not put it near water... but if it pass I will worry less about all this.

Re: Waterproof Test by Service Menu Pressure Sensor Test

dandy63 — Thu, 08 Jan 2015 15:23:06 GMT

Hi, when looking over the tests that have been carried out by XDA members.....results look at the pressure difference between the flaps closed & open.....now the majority of people on this forum & presumably other forums who have suffered water ingress 99% are adamant that the flaps were tightly sealed, so this would imply that in some instances water is entering thru other less noticible areas ie screen/frame or other areas. Now if this is indeed correct would the pressure test readings be a lot less accurate & not show as much variation in these instances compared to doing the test with the flaps closed/ open

I have always thought it would be a great idea to Vacuum Test each individual Z series phone during QC & a simple QC Tested/Passed signed & dated sticker in each box BUT i realise this is not really feesible nor cost effective :smileysmileywink:

Re: Waterproof Test by Service Menu Pressure Sensor Test

Thommo — Thu, 08 Jan 2015 16:09:58 GMT

I have received a reply just to say that this has been escalated up the ranks of Sony to the correct department

Re: Waterproof Test by Service Menu Pressure Sensor Test

dquilon — Thu, 08 Jan 2015 16:31:31 GMT

Thanks for the update...

so this basically means that this info is only known by designers or something like that?

Can you perform this test on your Z2 and see if the results are similar to those of Z3 users?

I used to have a Pelican Case that (I just investigated) it had a Gore-Tex® membrane in the pressure equalization valve to keep water out... so this actually makes a whole lot of sense... and I wouldn't be surprise if Sony is using something similar.

Additional info from Pelican's website about the valve in their cases:

How does the Pressure Equalization (Purge) Valve work?
The Pressure Equalization Valve (Purge Valve) is a simple device. It consists of a housing with a hole through it that is covered with a thin Gore-Tex® membrane. According to the GoreTM tech sheet: “The microporous expanded polytetraflouroethylene (ePTFE) membrane continuously allows the free passage of gases and vapours, equalizing the pressure differential between the enclosure and ambient before it builds to the point that a seal is compromised. Water, dust and dirt are repelled by the hydrophobic membrane, thereby protecting expensive and sensitive electronics”.

Sony Z series production,

Curnow1 — Thu, 08 Jan 2015 16:41:58 GMT

So we all know that sony Smartphones should be waterproof and have a IP67 (68 With z3) certification. But we also hear alot about the failed water tests of these phones. My question is, does sony test the resistant of every smartphone? Or do the workers only provide that it is waterproof without checking?

Re: Sony Z series production,

Phy — Thu, 08 Jan 2015 16:44:11 GMT

You will have to contact your local Xperia Support regarding that info

http://support.sonymobile.com/global-en/contactUs/

Re: Waterproof Test by Service Menu Pressure Sensor Test

Scoutfai — Tue, 02 Jun 2015 00:08:12 GMT

Have you receive any feedback from Sony regarding this matter?