LabCompanion HP-225U Programmable Temperature and Humidity Controlled Chamber

Overview

The LabCompanion HP-225U is a precision-engineered programmable temperature and humidity controlled chamber designed for rigorous environmental stress testing of electronic components, optoelectronic devices, PCB assemblies, lithium-ion batteries, LCD modules, and other high-reliability industrial materials. It operates on the fundamental principle of controlled thermodynamic conditioning—using dual-mode mechanical refrigeration (single-stage or cascade), resistive heating, and steam-based humidification—to replicate real-world storage, transit, and operational environments. The chamber delivers stable, repeatable exposure profiles across wide operational envelopes (0–150 °C; 20–98 %RH), enabling standardized evaluation of thermal expansion, moisture ingress, condensation resistance, hygroscopic degradation, and accelerated aging mechanisms. Its architecture adheres to core metrological principles of traceable calibration, spatial uniformity, and temporal stability—critical for labs operating under GLP, ISO/IEC 17025, or internal quality assurance protocols.

Key Features

• Energy-optimized design: Achieves up to 30 % power reduction and 20 % water savings versus conventional chambers, enabled by intelligent load-matching algorithms and high-efficiency HFC-507 refrigerant.
• Dual-mode refrigeration system: Configurable single-stage or two-stage cascade compression (air-cooled condenser) ensures rapid, stable thermal transitions across extreme setpoints—including sub-zero cooling and high-temperature drying cycles.
• Corrosion-resistant construction: Interior chamber fabricated from electropolished SUS304 stainless steel; exterior finished with powder-coated cold-rolled steel or brushed 304 SS for long-term durability in cleanroom and production-floor environments.
• Advanced control architecture: Integrated ETAC820 touchscreen HMI paired with industrial-grade PLC and SOC processors enables deterministic real-time execution of complex multi-segment test profiles (up to 50 programs, 2500 steps, 100-step × 10-pattern nesting).
• BTHC (Balanced Temperature & Humidity Control) algorithm: Independently regulates heating, cooling, humidification, and dehumidification actuators to minimize overshoot, reduce recovery time, and maintain tight coupling between temperature and RH setpoints.
• Robust safety infrastructure: Includes independent overtemperature cutoff, dry-heater protection, low-water-level detection, compressor overcurrent/overpressure monitoring, ground-fault interruption, and automatic fault logging with timestamped event history.
• High-fidelity data handling: USB 2.0 interface supports encrypted export of full-cycle logs (temperature, humidity, alarm status, actuator duty cycles); LAN connectivity enables centralized SCADA integration and remote supervision of up to 200+ units via standard TCP/IP.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The HP-225U accommodates diverse sample geometries—including stacked PCBs, battery packs, optical sensor arrays, and sealed consumer electronics enclosures—via its 500 mm (W) × 750 mm (H) × 600 mm (D) working volume and front-access cable port (Φ50 mm). Standard configurations include two adjustable stainless-steel shelves and integrated water reservoir (15 L capacity) with pump-assisted feed. The chamber meets or exceeds requirements of key international standards: GB/T 10586-1989 (humidity chamber performance), GB/T 2423.3-93 / IEC 60068-2-3 (constant damp heat), GB/T 2423.4-93 / MIL-STD-810 Method 507.2 (cyclic damp heat), GJB 150.9-8 (military wet heat), and ISO 16750-4 (road vehicle environmental conditions). All control firmware and data logging functions support audit-ready operation per FDA 21 CFR Part 11 (electronic records/signatures) when configured with user authentication and change-tracking modules.

Software & Data Management

Control software runs natively on the ETAC820 embedded platform, supporting both fixed-value and fully programmable operation modes. Each program segment allows independent definition of target temperature, RH, ramp rate, dwell duration (0–999 h 59 min), and conditional branching (e.g., loop count, pattern repetition, segment skip on alarm). Real-time graphical display shows current setpoint vs. actual values, with overlayable trend curves for up to four parameters. Built-in non-volatile memory retains all programs and runtime logs during power loss; recovery resumes from last valid step upon re-energization. Data export options include CSV-formatted time-series files (via USB) and live Ethernet streaming compatible with third-party MES/LIMS platforms. Optional remote monitoring software provides web-based dashboard visualization, email/SMS alerting, and centralized fleet management.

Applications

• Reliability validation of automotive ECUs, ADAS sensors, and EV battery modules under combined thermal-hygric stress per ISO 16750-4 and AEC-Q200.
• Accelerated moisture sensitivity level (MSL) testing of surface-mount components prior to reflow soldering (JEDEC J-STD-020).
• Stability assessment of OLED displays, fiber-optic transceivers, and MEMS accelerometers across extended temperature-humidity excursions.
• Quality conformance screening for medical device housings, surgical instrument packaging, and pharmaceutical secondary packaging per ISO 11607-1.
• Material compatibility studies involving polymer encapsulants, conformal coatings, and adhesive bonds exposed to cyclic condensation environments.

FAQ

What is the minimum achievable humidity level with the HP-225U?
With the optional dehumidification module installed, the chamber achieves ≤10 %RH at 25 °C ambient conditions.
Does the controller support automated compliance reporting for ISO/IEC 17025 audits?
Yes—the ETAC820 logs all operator actions, parameter changes, alarm events, and calibration interventions with ISO 8601 timestamps and user IDs, satisfying traceability requirements for accredited laboratories.
Can the chamber perform simultaneous temperature ramping and humidity cycling?
Yes—BTHC logic enables fully coupled control where temperature and RH profiles execute synchronously without manual intervention or external scripting.
Is remote firmware update capability available?
Firmware updates are performed locally via USB stick; remote updates require secure VPN access to the LAN-connected controller and are subject to administrative approval workflows.
What maintenance intervals are recommended for the refrigeration system?
Compressor oil and filter replacement is advised every 24 months under continuous operation; annual verification of refrigerant charge and condenser coil cleanliness is required for optimal performance and energy efficiency.