DSS-A.04.02 — Busbar / Lead Defects Visible Through Lite (PDLC / EC; switchable glazing)

Visible anomalies associated with busbars, printed/laminated leads, or current-distribution traces within a switchable glazing device (e.g., PDLC or electrochromic). Typical cues include misalignment/print-through, discontinuities, smears, voids, corrosion/discoloration along the busbar edge, or local opacity near conductors. Because the condition resides within the laminate/device stack-not on an exposed worked face-it is not addressable in place; classification is governed by location/condition. Use VIS surface numbering and parallax to confirm non-face location.

• Straight or gently arcing conductor bars/traces visible at a margin or behind a ceramic print, with local dark bands, patchy opacity, or color shift adjacent to the busbar/lead.
• Print-through of conductive ink or a smeared edge where the trace transitions into the active area.
• Localized voids or thin spots in the active layer adjacent to the busbar (contrast varies between ON/OFF states).
• No change after Non-Invasive Reveal of the exposed faces; no worked transition edge on the face.

Location / access (primary)

• Confirm the cue sits within the device/laminate (not on #1/#4). Demonstrate fixed parallax to distinguish internal/device features from face-side conditions. Record surface numbering (#1-#4; note laminate-internal when applicable). When internal, classification is CAT-5 by location.

Surface-catch class (MSRT)

• On exposed face(s), record SC-0 (none). The Manual Surface-Relief Test is a single, non-marring pass used only to support classification-not acceptance. Prefer a polymer stylus on suspected coated faces, or rely on visual/location cues.

Inspection environment / reveal controls

• Complete a Non-Invasive Reveal (clean & dry) before evaluation; persistence of the cue confirms non-face location. Avoid blades/abrasives/chemicals prior to classification.

Viewing / lighting

• Apply VIS geometry: 12 / 36 / 72 in; normal incidence and oblique sweep (~60°-120°) with raking light. Add back-lit frames when safe to emphasize internal contrast.

• CAT-5 - Out of in-place scope when the anomaly is internal to the switchable device/laminate (not on an exposed worked surface). Document and refer per project protocol (fabricator/manufacturer/warranty).
• If separate face-side damage exists (scratches, coating rub/patchiness), classify that independently under the appropriate family (M/Co/Ch) by CAT; do not let an internal cue control face-side acceptance.

Not applicable on the exposed face(s): SC-0 expected. Numeric μm ranges in VIS apply to face-side defects only; internal device/laminate cues have no measurable face relief for MSRT.

• vs. Coating anomalies on the worked surface (Co-family): Coating rub/patchiness is on the exposed face and is disallowed at acceptance on coated surfaces; busbar/lead anomalies are internal and show fixed parallax.
• vs. Between-pane particulate (A.01.03) or spacer smear (A.01.04): Cavity artifacts sit on #2/#3 faces; device traces are laminate/device-internal. Use parallax + surface numbering to separate. Both internal conditions map to CAT-5 by location.
• vs. Face-side residues/films (R-family): Residues respond to Non-Invasive Reveal and can show face-side MSRT cues; busbar/lead issues do not.

• Photo set (VIS): 12 / 36 / 72 in, normal + oblique, include raking. Add one short sequence (or paired frames) demonstrating fixed parallax relative to reflections. Note reveal status and lighting/time.
• Forms (VIS Appendix X3 fields): Pane ID; product family (smart glazing-PDLC/EC); surface numbering (#1-#4; laminate-internal if applicable); worked surface Y/N; functional coating on worked surface? (Y/N/Unknown); reveal status; geometry checklist.
• Acceptance split: Internal device/laminate conditions are not subject to in-place acceptance under VIS; document and refer per project protocol.

Attempting to “polish out” a device-internal cue risks creating a face-side worked region with a visible transition edge, which VIS disallows at acceptance (CAT-0...CAT-4). Confirm reveal status and parallax/location before any action.

• A.04.02 Busbar/Lead Defects Visible Through Lite (PDLC/EC) - Internal conductor/edge anomaly verified by fixed parallax; no change after Non-Invasive Reveal; MSRT on exposed face(s) = SC-0. Location/condition places cue within device/laminate; classified CAT-5 (out of in-place scope) per VIS. Documented at 12/36/72 in with normal + oblique + raking; surface numbering recorded; referred to manufacturer/warranty.

⭐ DSS-Co

Damage Specification Standards 2026

DSS-Co Coating Anomalies

Draft v1.0

Co.01 Sputtered Low‐E & Multilayer Films

• Co.01.01 Abrasion sheen shift / rub marks
• Co.01.02 Color non‐uniformity / patchiness
• Co.01.03 Pinholes/islands (localized loss)
• Co.01.04 Chemical attack spots (cleaner/acid/alkali)

Co.02 Pyrolytic (Hard‐Coat) Low‐E

• Co.02.01 Roller pickup/line ghosting (pyrolytic line)
• Co.02.02 Surface rub/scuff (appearance change)
• Co.02.03 Local coating discontinuity

Co.03 AR/IR/Other Functional Coats

• Co.03.01 AR bloom/scuff (anti‐reflective)
• Co.03.02 Hard‐coat micro‐mottle

Co.04 Spandrel & Back‐Paint Systems

• Co.04.01 Mottle/cloudiness (seen from exterior)
• Co.04.02 Pinholes/holidays
• Co.04.03 Back‐paint adhesion loss islands

Co.05 Ceramic Frit

• Co.05.01 Frit smears/offset
• Co.05.02 Pinholes/voids
• Co.05.03 Frit over‐spray/ghost at edge