Im about to put a connector box on a mast and i found this advice
"If you were going down that road, I would suggest IP55 with plugged drainholes facing down as this will allow any condensation (which is bound to form with the wide range of temperatures it will experience)to exhaust to the atmosphere without letting further moisture in otherwise any moisture will be trapped inside and may hasten a unit failure."
what are plugged drainholes ?
Parts
If you want condensation to drain out of an enclosure, you drill holes in the lowest part of the enclosure.
To waterproof it completely you would use "dog turd" compound fill such as Bicon R938 (think I have the number wrong, but TLC lift it as removeable potting compound, it's a non-setting bitumen putty) OR the Magic Gel potting compound which requires no drain holes and a top fill hole (pour in, let it set, completely IP68 encapsulated).
A contradiction in terms?
Maybe they mean holes that are plugged to stop wind blown rain being driven up and in through and open hole but the plug is soft rubber with a slit in it such that water inside will seep out by capillary action and as it evaporates from the outside draw the rest of the water through.
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May be the drain holes are to be plugged with cable grommets to prevent rain water entry like those shown here:
plugged
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Or like the MK outdoor series of sockets and switches have a thin plastic membrane that can be poked out to provide a drain hole if required.
To decently waterproof a connection box the actual contact block should have Chattertons Compound moulded round it. It sticks like s*** and totally excludes water and tracking if properly applied
AWEM
It isn't always a good idea to attempt complete waterproofing. It's better to allow a couple of small holes at the lowest point to allow condensation to escape. IP55 is a minimum for outdoor use (it isn't even dust-proof) - and you will need those drain holes as some water penetration is allowed. Also, a false, sloped top is a good idea as it keeps direct sun off (partially) and prevents a build up of snow on the top.
IPxx info:
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