YiHeng DHP Series Small-Scale Microbiological Incubator – Natural Convection Type
| Brand | YiHeng |
|---|---|
| Origin | Shanghai, China |
| Manufacturer | Yes |
| Country of Origin | China |
| Model | DHP Series |
| Price Range | USD 420 – 1,150 (FOB) |
| Temperature Range | Ambient +5°C to 65°C |
| Humidity Control | Not Available |
| Chamber Capacity | 16 L to 220 L |
| Control System | Fuzzy PID Controller (Standard) / Multi-Stage Programmable LCD Controller (Optional) |
| Safety Features | Independent Over-Temperature Cut-Off, Deviation Alarm, Optional UV Sterilization Module |
| Display & Interface | Single-Line LED or Multi-Segment LCD (Optional) |
| Timer Function | Up to 99 h 59 min |
| Construction | Mirror-Finish Stainless Steel Interior, Double-Layer Insulated Door with Observation Window |
Overview
The YiHeng DHP Series Small-Scale Microbiological Incubator is a precision-engineered natural convection incubator designed for routine microbial cultivation, cell propagation, and environmental stability testing in academic laboratories, quality control units, and biotechnology R&D facilities. Unlike forced-air models, this series relies on passive thermal buoyancy-driven air movement—eliminating fan-induced vibration, turbulence, and aerosol dispersion. This architecture preserves sample integrity during extended incubation periods, especially for sensitive bacterial cultures, fungal isolates, and non-adherent eukaryotic cells where mechanical agitation may compromise growth kinetics or induce shear stress. The chamber operates within a stable temperature range of ambient +5°C to 65°C, calibrated to meet ISO 17025 traceable performance standards under standard laboratory conditions (23 ± 2°C, 40–60% RH). Its compact footprint and scalable capacity options—from 16 L benchtop units to 220 L floor-standing configurations—support flexible deployment across shared core facilities and regulated GxP environments.
Key Features
- Mirror-finish 304 stainless steel interior chamber: Chemically resistant, non-porous surface enabling rapid decontamination via ethanol wipe-down or hydrogen peroxide vapor (HPV) fumigation; compliant with ISO 14644-1 Class 7 cleanroom-compatible maintenance protocols.
- Natural convection thermal management: No internal fans or blowers—ensuring silent operation (<25 dB(A)) and eliminating cross-contamination risk from recirculated airborne particulates or desiccation of agar plates.
- Fuzzy logic PID temperature controller (standard): Achieves ±0.3°C uniformity and ±0.5°C accuracy at setpoint (measured per ASTM E2874-22); includes programmable timer (0–99 h 59 min) and auto-restart after power interruption.
- Independent over-temperature safety cut-off: Hardware-based thermal limiter (separate from main controller) interrupts heating circuit if chamber exceeds user-defined threshold—meeting IEC 61010-1 Clause 6.4.2 requirements for lab equipment protection.
- Double-layer observation window with low-emissivity coated glass: Minimizes radiant heat loss while permitting continuous visual monitoring without door opening; reduces thermal perturbation during inspection cycles.
- Optional multi-stage programmable LCD controller: Supports up to 30 segments of temperature/time profiles, ramp-rate definition (0.1–10.0°C/min), and scheduled power-on/off—enabling compliance with USP environmental monitoring protocols and ISO/IEC 17025 method validation workflows.
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The DHP Series accommodates standard microbiological consumables including Petri dishes (up to 150 mm diameter), test tubes (13 × 100 mm), culture flasks (T25–T175), and multi-well plates (6–96-well formats). Its static airflow design prevents evaporation artifacts in low-volume liquid cultures and maintains consistent humidity microenvironments when used with sealed containers or humidified trays (external humidification not integrated). While the unit does not provide active humidity control, it meets EN 60335-2-51 and GB/T 23797–2009 specifications for incubators used in pharmaceutical microbiology testing. Optional UV-C (254 nm) germicidal irradiation module—installed on the chamber ceiling—delivers ≥100 µW/cm² irradiance at 1 m distance, validated per ISO 15714:2019 for reduction of Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, and Candida albicans in air and on surfaces.
Software & Data Management
The standard configuration operates without software dependency—ideal for GLP-regulated labs requiring audit-trail-free operation. When equipped with the optional programmable controller, data logging (temperature only) is stored internally for up to 30 days at 1-minute intervals. Export is supported via USB flash drive in CSV format, compatible with LIMS integration (e.g., LabWare, STARLIMS) and 21 CFR Part 11-compliant electronic record systems when paired with external validation packages. All firmware versions undergo periodic security patching aligned with IEC 62443-3-3 Annex A.2 guidelines for embedded device cybersecurity.
Applications
- Routine bacteriology: Aerobic/anaerobic culture of Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Salmonella spp. per ISO 6579-1 and USP .
- Fungal enumeration and isolation: Incubation of Sabouraud dextrose agar at 25–30°C for dermatophyte identification.
- Environmental monitoring: Settle plate and contact plate incubation in cleanrooms per EU GMP Annex 1 and ISO 14698-1.
- Vaccine stability studies: Real-time and accelerated storage condition simulation at controlled temperatures (e.g., 2–8°C equivalent using ambient +5°C setting with auxiliary cooling).
- Teaching laboratories: Low-maintenance platform for undergraduate microbiology curricula emphasizing aseptic technique and colony morphology analysis.
FAQ
Does the DHP Series support humidity control?
No. This model is designed exclusively for dry incubation applications. For humidity-dependent protocols (e.g., mammalian cell culture), consider the YiHeng DHG Series forced-air incubators with integrated steam humidification.
Is the UV sterilization module validated for regulatory submissions?
Yes—the optional UV-C module includes a calibration certificate traceable to NIM (National Institute of Metrology, China) and supports IQ/OQ documentation upon request.
Can the incubator be connected to a building management system (BMS)?
Not natively. Analog 4–20 mA output for temperature monitoring is available as a factory-installed option (DHP-PRO variant), enabling integration into Modbus RTU or BACnet MS/TP networks.
What is the recommended calibration interval?
Annual calibration against NIST-traceable reference thermometers is advised; internal sensor drift remains within ±0.2°C/year under typical usage per manufacturer’s accelerated life testing data.
Are replacement parts and service support available internationally?
Yes—YiHeng maintains authorized service partners in North America, EU, and APAC regions; spare parts inventory includes heaters, controllers, UV lamps, and door gaskets with lead times under 10 business days.
