Established technologies are being challenged by new demands for greater efficiency and performance. For example, electric vehicles (EVs) have surged in popularity over the past decade, and given that EVs generally use more electronics, this increases the number of systems that can be exposed to water ingress risks. Similarly, data centers are expanding rapidly as storage and computing workloads move to the cloud, requiring higher performance and intensive cooling. These trends introduce new engineering challenges – including a greater reliance on liquid cooling – which in turn raises the risk of water leaks in electronic systems.

Electric power steering (EPS) is one example of a subsystem evolving with these trends. While hydraulic power steering is still used, EPS offers greater efficiency by running the assist motor only on demand instead of continuously. Initially, EPS motors were placed inside the vehicle cabin (on the steering column) to keep them protected, but this configuration left drivers feeling less connected to the road compared to hydraulic systems. The design was updated to move the EPS motor to the wheelbase to improve steering feel. However, placing the motor and the control electronics near the wheel exposes them to the environment. Worn dust boots or failing seals can allow water to penetrate the system, ultimately introducing one of the worst enemies of electronics: water ingress.