Equitec EVFS Series Ultra-Low Temperature Freezers

Overview

The Equitec EVFS Series Ultra-Low Temperature Freezers are engineered for reliable, long-term cryogenic storage of sensitive biological materials—including primary cell lines, stem cells, plasma, mRNA vaccines, and archival tissue samples—in research laboratories, biobanks, clinical diagnostics centers, and pharmaceutical quality control environments. Designed and manufactured in Spain, the EVFS platform employs a cascade refrigeration system with dual-stage compressors and high-efficiency hydrocarbon-based refrigerants (R290/R170), enabling stable operation at −86 °C with minimal thermal fluctuation. The cabinet’s structural integrity is reinforced by 110–155 mm thick polyurethane insulation (CFC-free, 23–28 kg/m³ density), ensuring low heat ingress and energy consumption compliant with EU Ecodesign Directive (EU No. 2015/1095). All models meet IEC 61000-6-3 (EMC emission) and IEC 61000-6-2 (immunity) standards, and are CE-marked for conformity with the Low Voltage Directive (2014/35/EU) and Electromagnetic Compatibility Directive (2014/30/EU).

Key Features

• Intuitive color touchscreen controller with multilingual UI (English, Spanish, French, German), supporting password-protected parameter configuration and user-level access control (admin/operator modes)
• Pt100 Class A temperature sensor with ±0.15 °C accuracy at −80 °C, mounted in the chamber center and independently verified via NIST-traceable calibration certificate (optional)
• Dual-stage alarm system: visual (LED strobe + icon display) and audible (85 dB @ 1 m), backed by rechargeable Ni–Cd battery (48 h standard, 72 h optional) sustaining full monitoring during mains failure
• Comprehensive alarm logging: stores the last 10 fault events with timestamp, error code, and descriptive cause (e.g., “Evaporator frost buildup”, “Condenser airflow restriction”)
• Configurable alarm thresholds for ambient temperature, supply voltage deviation (>±10%), filter clogging, battery depletion, and system fault codes
• Integrated main power switch with mechanical isolation, meeting EN 60204-1 safety requirements for emergency shutdown
• Optional accessories include USB data logger (±0.5 °C accuracy, 30-day memory), RS485 Modbus RTU interface for BMS integration, GSM-based SMS alert module (3G fallback), and dry ice/liquid nitrogen auxiliary cooling kit for extended backup during prolonged outages

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The EVFS series accommodates standard ISO 5555-compliant cryovial racks (e.g., 10 × 10 matrix), 2 mL and 5 mL cryotubes, and stacked specimen boxes up to 120 mm height. Stainless steel interior (AISI 304, electropolished finish) ensures corrosion resistance against ethanol, isopropanol, and liquid nitrogen splash exposure. External housing uses epoxy-coated steel with anti-static treatment (IEC 61340-5-1). The freezers support GLP/GMP workflows through audit-ready features: electronic signature-capable settings lock, time-stamped alarm history export (CSV), and optional FDA 21 CFR Part 11–compliant software add-on (with role-based permissions and immutable log archiving). All units undergo factory validation per IQ/OQ protocols aligned with ISO 13485:2016 and ASTM F2661-21 (Standard Guide for Validation of ULT Freezers).

Software & Data Management

Equitec’s proprietary FreezeControl™ firmware supports local data capture and remote supervision. Standard functionality includes real-time graphing of internal temperature (sample zone), ambient temperature, and compressor duty cycle; configurable logging intervals (1–60 min); and auto-export via USB or Ethernet to network shares. Optional printer module generates thermal strip charts (20-min intervals, 7-day retention) with embedded UTC timestamps and operator ID. For enterprise deployment, the RS485 interface enables seamless integration into LabVantage, STARLIMS, or custom SCADA systems using Modbus RTU protocol. Data integrity is preserved via cyclic redundancy check (CRC-16) on all serial transmissions and SHA-256 hashing for exported CSV archives.

Applications

• Long-term preservation of primary human hepatocytes and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) under controlled −80 °C conditions per ISBER Best Practices (2023)
• Stability testing of cold-chain therapeutics, including lipid nanoparticle (LNP)-formulated mRNA vaccines requiring ≤−70 °C storage
• Biobanking operations compliant with BBMRI-ERIC Node Certification criteria (temperature stability <±2.0 °C over 24 h)
• QC storage of reference standards and certified reference materials (CRMs) per ISO Guide 35
• Supporting ISO/IEC 17025-accredited testing labs where equipment traceability and environmental monitoring records are subject to accreditation body review

FAQ

What is the validated temperature uniformity across the EVFS 765 chamber at −80 °C?
Temperature uniformity is ±1.5 °C (max deviation from setpoint) measured at nine locations (per ISO 13485 Annex D), confirmed during factory IQ/OQ.

Does the freezer support 21 CFR Part 11 compliance for electronic records?
Yes—when equipped with the optional FreezeControl™ Part 11 Software Package, which provides electronic signatures, audit trails, and role-based access controls.

Can the unit operate continuously at −86 °C in ambient temperatures up to 35 °C?
Yes—the EVFS series is rated for continuous operation at full capacity within ambient conditions of 10–35 °C and relative humidity ≤70% non-condensing (per IEC 60068-2-1/2).

Is stainless steel shelving included as standard or optional?
All models ship with adjustable stainless steel shelves (AISI 304, 1.2 mm thickness); additional reinforced load-bearing shelves are available as accessories.

What refrigerant types are used, and are they compliant with F-Gas Regulation (EU) No. 517/2014?
The cascade system uses R290 (propane) in the low-stage and R170 (ethane) in the high-stage—both natural refrigerants with GWP = 3 and zero ODP, fully compliant with EU F-Gas phase-down schedules.