Pressure Sensor test

[Newcomer]

Hi all,

Yesterday I purcahsed a brand new Z3 Compact. I read that in order to test its waterproof capability, without actually putting it into water, you can dial a weird number and check if the device reacts to pressure, using the Pressure Sensor.

Unfortunately, the pressure increases by a few millibars when I apply a normal pressure on the screen, then, while I keep putting pressure, the pressure drops to its baseline (~1004.4 millibar).

I read that while applying pressure, the pressure should increase drastically, and it shouldnt decrease while you still apply the pressure (also it makes prefectly sense!) 

I'm pretty sure every lid is sealed properly, and they are clearly undamaged or covered with dirt, as my phone is brand new.

What should I do? Is my phone damaged? I bought that model becuase the water/dustproof was very appealing, but if in my case it is not, I want to fix it.

I have a 2 year warranty, but I wonder if demanding a new decive based on the results of this home-made test is admissilbe?

PS I saw a post here regarding that pressure test, but it was left unanswered...

Thanks!

[Qatrium]

From my humble information, this kind of test is useless and won't be of any use to decide if your phone is waterproof or not. The only way to check that is visiting a Sony service center and ask for a Vacuum Test, which is only made in case of water damage to check if it's a manufacturing defect or not.

But let's wait ofr a more official and sure answer, may be from @Rickard.

[Rickard]

I see the same thing as you do when i test this on a Z2 and Z3+ and i know both of these units meets their IP-classification so based on this it doesn't sound like there's anything wrong with your phone.

As Quester says, to test the phones IP-classification we would need to perform a vacuum test at a service location.

[Newcomer]

Thanks for the reply.

You know that both of your devices are compatible with IP protocol, only because it says so?

I mean, in order to really make sure that the device is waterproof, is to actually soak it in water...

My point is, that as much as this pressure test may or may not guarantee being waterproof, it does guarantee impermeability. And in my case, it has failed to ensure that, thus I can only conclude that the device will also fail in the water test.

[Rickard]

The reason i know is because i have recently used both in water

The IP-classification protects against water and solid objects, it does not protect against gas which may explain the result when testing this but if you are worried that your phone doesn't meet its specification i recommend that you contact a service location to have it tested.

[dquilon]

With all due respect to everyone involved in this particular thread... but you guys are all wrong...

1. Newcomer: There is nothing wrong with your phone, the Pressure test is indeed performed as you did, but the pressure only rises for a few moments before it drops because the phone has an Equalizer Valve (located under the Eyelet), which balance pressure inside and out (unless it is underwater).... The valve is there to prevent the failure of the flaps (popping out) when there is a drastic pressure change such as elevating in an airplane or such...

2. Quester: This test is actually one of the best indicators to see if your phone is actually waterproofed or not... and I am telling you from my personal experience since I have done research on the subject before and after purchasing my Z3 Compact... Soon after buying my phone I when on a trip to Ecuador and I used my device on the beach, pool and fresh water constantly without any problems... and the pressure indicator gave me peace of mind. Now recently I made a trip to Spain and while I was on Ibiza, the magnetic port of my device got loose due to the adaptor I use (Magnector X2 which is kind of strong) and I realize that my phone was not able to whistand water due to a Pressure Test (I had not noticed the failed port at the time)... to the test actually prevented me to damage my device. Then I came back home and glue the thing and the pressure test worked as it should.

The reason this test is actually a good indication is because water has thicker molecules than air, and if air can get past the seals on the device (rubber seals at flaps, adhesive behind magnetic port, etc) then there is a posibility that water can also get in, but you still have a small Factor of Safety. Also the way the phone is tested is by applying pressure from the inside which will try to make your flaps pop open, but when you submerge the phone, the water will actually apply pressure from the outside which will tend to keep them shut, so the Factor of Safety slightly increases here too.

3. Rickard: obviously the best way to confirm that your phone is waterproof is perform a vacuum test on Sony's service center... but how do you do when you live in a country with absolute zero support from Sony and don't have the means or spirit to send your device out, just for that.

greetings.

Diego.

PS: my profile picture is from that trip to Ecuador...

[Newcomer]

Diego, thanks for the elaborated answer.

But let me get this straight: you are saying that the jump in the pressure which I see, should be that insignificant (around 1 millibar, then decrease back to normal), even if I apply big pressure on the screen? (because the valve will take action to minimize the pressure right away?)

If so, why in YouTube and other sources (reliable or not, that's debatable) they say that there should be a noticeable increase in the millibars (around 12-13 millibars, not 1 like I had) and if it doesn't jump that much then the device is defected?

Thanks

[dquilon]

OH! ok I see now... in your original post you never specified the ammount of milibars rising before going back to the normal pressure...

Well if your device only rises 1~2 mb, then I think your device is not working as it should... When I test mine, and excert an small ammount of pressure with my fingers (one on the screen and one on the back, pinching the phone) then the pressure rises about 5 mb... and I consider that to be normal... I fear doing it stronger.

You can try something else which is to grab regular Tape (like "scotch tape") and place pieces of it carefully covering each part of the phone that you think it could be have a bad seal... but after each piece of tape, performe the Pressure Test.

Try covering:

- The Headphones Jack

- Each Flap completely

- The Magnetic Port

- Both Mics

- Both Speakers

- etc

At least this would gives you an indication of where it might be loose...

If the flaps are the ones to blame, try using a q-tip and clean the rubber seal. However if your problem still persist and you live in a country where Sony is present and has a service center, you might want to consider sending it in and request a Vacuum test as Rickard suggested. But I would try testing it by myself first.

[Newcomer]

Yes, I did mention the millibar issue in the first post, maybe you missed it.

I doubt there's dirt anywhere, as the device is brand new - and I see that everything is shiny and clean.

Also, is it possilbe the air leaks through the headphones jack? I mean, it is never covered, doesn't have a flap, so it didn't raise my suspicion - if Sony didn't offer a sealing solution for that jack, then this one shouldn't be an air-leaking spot.

I've tried blocking the rest of the flaps, it didn't improve.

I contacted Sony and I'm waiting for their response, it is just frustrating that this device doens't even have a week of use and already needs to be tested or even disassembled

But since I'm going to open and close the charging flap constnatly, the sealing will wear out someday again.. So I guess you can't keep your device sealed at all times, can you? (unless maybe you use the magnetic charge).

[ciubex]

1. I'm a little offtopic,the weird number dialed is actually more simple than you expect, came from SERVICE.

So to be easily to remember the code, associate each letter from the SERVICE word with dial keypad numbers 7378423.

Service codes must be preceded with *#*# and ended with #*#* (revers of started sequnce)

At the end actually you dial: *#*#7378423#*#* which is much easily to be remebered as: *#*#SERVICE#*#*

Other codes are: SIMLOCK and INFO

2. The presure sensor values, in my case are:

- constantly it's stay at 1009.xx Millibar;

- when I press for a second with two fingers on top and bottom of my screen area, the presure is increased till 1026.yy Millibar;

- imediatly after I release the presure value is dropping till 998.zz Millibar.

But this depends how harder you press the phone and obviously it is not guarantee that the phone is waterproof.

I do not have the courage to use my phone on any kind of water and I inserted on the headphone jack an universal anti dust stopper, mostly to stop dust from my pockets and any possible rain drops.