Actuator Lifetime and Durability: B10 Life, IP, EMC and Other Tests

When choosing an actuator, it is not only force and speed that matter, but also how the product will behave over its service life and under real operating conditions. In this article we summarise the most common concepts related to lifetime and durability.

What is B10 life?

B10 life is the number of operating cycles (or the time) at which 10% of the tested products are expected to fail. In other words, when this value is reached, 90% of the products are still expected to be working. Lifetime values are determined by tests performed under a specific load, stroke and duty cycle, so the test conditions should also be checked when comparing products.

Factors that affect lifetime

• Load: Continuous operation close to the rated load shortens lifetime.
• Duty cycle: Not respecting the recommended on/off ratio leads to overheating.
• Side loads: Loads acting off the actuator axis strain the spindle and bearings.
• Environment: Water, dust, chemicals and temperature.
• Mounting: Mounting points must be aligned and free to rotate.

Durability tests

• IP (ingress protection) tests: Verify the product’s protection against dust and water. For example, IPX6 means protection against powerful water jets, which is important for frequently cleaned hospital equipment.
• EMC (electromagnetic compatibility): The device must neither disturb nor be disturbed by other electronic devices around it. This is particularly important in medical equipment.
• Salt spray test: Measures corrosion resistance; important for products used in humid or outdoor environments.
• Chemical resistance: Shows how well housing and cable materials withstand the cleaning and disinfection agents used in hospitals.
• Vibration and shock tests: Measure resistance to shocks during transport and use; important for mobile equipment such as stretchers and transport trolleys.
• Endurance (cycle) tests: The actuator’s lifetime is verified by extending and retracting it thousands of times under a defined load.

Recommendations for a long service life

• Select the actuator below its rated force, leaving a safety margin.
• Respect the duty cycle; let the actuator cool down after long periods of operation.
• Load the actuator only along its axis and avoid side loads.
• Protect cables from crushing, tension and sharp edges.
• Use cleaning methods suited to the product’s IP rating and chemical resistance.

For test and compliance information about our products, please contact us.

Let us choose the right product for your application together. Send us your load, stroke, speed and operating environment details via our contact page, or use the Request a Quote button on the relevant product page; our technical team will recommend the most suitable solution.