Device and method for detecting a corrosive ambient atmosphere in a protective housing

Method for determining an intensity of a corrosive ambient atmosphere in a protective housing, comprising:

• measuring, by internal sensors arranged inside the protective housing, changes over time in at least two different ambient parameters and generating sensor signals reflecting the changes over time in the at least two different ambient parameters;
• correlating the sensor signals reflecting the changes over time in the at least two different ambient parameters with one another;
• determining the intensity of the corrosive ambient atmosphere on basis of deviations of the sensor signals, or of a parameter correlated with the deviation of the sensor signals, from a reference value or reference value range taking into account a time duration and frequency of the deviations;
• generating an output signal reflecting the determined intensity of the corrosive ambient atmosphere;
• measuring at least one electrical characteristic of at least one testpiece under given ambient conditions over a predefined time period, the testpiece being made from a test material and being arranged inside the protective housing in a learning phase and/or initialization phase;
• and
• correlating the test material with other materials installed in the protective housing;
• wherein a change in the at least one electrical characteristic of the testpiece and the other materials correlated therewith is taken into account in determining the intensity of the corrosive ambient atmosphere.