LabCompanion HZ-80-E Benchtop Temperature and Humidity Controlled Environmental Test Chamber

Overview

The LabCompanion HZ-80-E is a compact, benchtop environmental test chamber engineered for precise, repeatable temperature and humidity conditioning of materials, components, and small assemblies in research laboratories, quality control environments, and product development facilities. It operates on the Balanced Temperature and Humidity Control (BTHC) principle—dynamically coordinating heating, cooling, humidification, and dehumidification subsystems to maintain stable setpoints without overshoot or oscillation. Unlike open-loop or single-actuator systems, BTHC ensures high reproducibility across extended test cycles, including thermal cycling, damp heat, and steady-state conditioning per IEC 60068-2-1, IEC 60068-2-2, and IEC 60068-2-78. Its footprint (100 × 80 × 65 cm) and internal volume (80 L) make it ideal for space-constrained labs where full-size walk-in chambers are impractical—yet its performance meets industrial-grade requirements for reliability and traceability.

Key Features

• Benchtop form factor with castor wheels and stackable mechanical design—enables vertical configuration to conserve floor space without compromising accessibility or serviceability.
• Mirror-finish SUS304 stainless steel interior chamber resists corrosion, facilitates cleaning, and minimizes particulate shedding—critical for electronics, pharmaceutical packaging, and optical component testing.
• PT100 dry/wet bulb sensor pair provides dual-point humidity measurement with real-time dew point calculation, improving long-term RH stability and reducing calibration drift versus capacitive sensors alone.
• Shallow-tank steam humidifier delivers rapid, low-maintenance moisture generation without water carryover or mineral deposition; compatible with deionized water for extended maintenance intervals.
• Hermetically sealed refrigeration system using environmentally compliant refrigerant (R134a or R404A equivalent) ensures consistent cooling performance across ambient conditions from +5°C to +30°C.
• TEMI touchscreen controller (Korean OEM) supports multi-segment programmable profiles, alarm logging, password-protected parameter modification, and USB data export—meeting foundational requirements for GLP-compliant documentation.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The HZ-80-E accommodates samples up to 40 cm wide × 40 cm deep × 50 cm tall—including PCB assemblies, polymer films, battery cells, medical device packaging, and small optical housings. Its uniformity specifications (±1.0°C temperature, ±3.0% RH) comply with ASTM E145 Class II chamber tolerances for non-critical accelerated aging studies. The chamber’s construction satisfies CE marking requirements for electrical safety (EN 61000-6-3, EN 61000-6-4) and mechanical integrity (EN 60529 IP20). While not certified to full IEC 60529 IP ratings, its sealed cable port (φ50 mm) and gasketed observation window support integration into controlled environments requiring particulate containment. Optional RS-485 interface enables external SCADA integration for centralized lab monitoring under ISO/IEC 17025-accredited QA workflows.

Software & Data Management

The TEMI controller records timestamped temperature and humidity values at user-selectable intervals (1–60 sec), storing up to 1,000 hours of data internally. Export is supported via USB flash drive in CSV format—compatible with MATLAB, Python pandas, and LIMS platforms. Alarm events (e.g., low-water, overtemperature, compressor fault) are logged with severity level and duration. Though the base unit lacks FDA 21 CFR Part 11-compliant electronic signatures or audit trails, optional firmware upgrades (available through LabCompanion’s regional technical partners) add role-based access control, electronic signature prompts, and immutable event logs—enabling alignment with GMP Annex 11 and pharmaceutical stability protocol requirements.

Applications

• Accelerated aging of polymeric seals and adhesives under 40°C/93% RH (per ISO 11607-1 for medical packaging validation).
• Pre-conditioning of lithium-ion battery cells prior to electrochemical testing (IEC 62660-1).
• Stability screening of printed circuit boards exposed to thermal-hygric stress (IPC-9701).
• Calibration verification of handheld hygrometers and thermometers using NIST-traceable reference probes placed within the working volume.
• Material compatibility testing of coatings and laminates under cyclic humidity ramping (e.g., 30% → 95% RH over 2 hrs, hold 4 hrs, repeat).

FAQ

What is the difference between the HZ-80-E and RZ-80-E models?
The HZ-80-E operates from 0°C to 100°C; the RZ-80-E extends the low-temperature limit to −20°C using an enhanced two-stage refrigeration circuit and additional insulation.
Can this chamber be used for salt spray or UV exposure testing?
No—this is a temperature/humidity-only chamber. Salt fog and UV irradiation require dedicated corrosion or weathering chambers with specialized nozzles, UV lamps, and corrosion-resistant construction.
Is the TEMI controller validated for use in regulated environments?
Out-of-the-box, it supports basic data integrity but lacks Part 11 features. Validation packages—including IQ/OQ protocols and firmware verification reports—are available upon request from LabCompanion’s EU and North American support offices.
Does the chamber meet MIL-STD-810G or JEDEC JESD22-A110 humidity testing requirements?
It satisfies the environmental profile parameters (e.g., 85°C/85% RH dwell, −40°C to +85°C thermal cycling) specified in those standards, though final compliance requires chamber mapping and uncertainty analysis per the test lab’s accredited procedures.
How often does the humidifier require maintenance?
With deionized water, the shallow-tank humidifier typically requires descaling every 200–300 operational hours; automatic low-water shutdown prevents dry firing and extends heater life.