LabCompanion PH Series Temperature and Humidity Controlled Chamber

Overview

The LabCompanion PH Series Temperature and Humidity Controlled Chamber is a precision-engineered environmental test chamber designed for standardized constant damp heat testing of small-scale electrical appliances, instrumentation, materials, and electronic components. It operates on the principle of integrated refrigeration, heating, and steam-based humidification systems to maintain stable, repeatable thermal and hygroscopic conditions within the test chamber. The chamber is engineered for long-duration exposure tests under controlled ambient profiles—specifically aligned with the requirements of GB/T 2423.3, the Chinese national standard equivalent to IEC 60068-2-78 for constant damp heat testing. Its robust architecture ensures minimal thermal gradient across the working volume, while the dual-loop PID control system delivers high reproducibility in both temperature and relative humidity regulation—critical for reliability validation in QC/QA labs, R&D facilities, and manufacturing process qualification.

Key Features

• Upright structural design optimized for laboratory floor space efficiency and ergonomic access to the test chamber interior;
• Double-walled construction with outer cold-rolled steel housing (powder-coated finish) and inner 304 stainless steel chamber liner for corrosion resistance and ease of cleaning;
• Intelligent digital microprocessor-based controller with real-time display of setpoint, actual values, and operational status—including cumulative runtime logging (standard on PH Series models with SH045B-level firmware);
• Hermetically sealed imported compressor-based refrigeration system (standard on PH Series variants corresponding to SH045A/B configurations) ensuring stable low-temperature performance and extended service life;
• Steam-type humidification system with stainless steel water reservoir and integrated dry-run protection—prevents heater damage during low-water conditions;
• Comprehensive safety architecture including over-temperature alarm and cut-off, earth leakage circuit interruption (ELCI), and independent thermal fuse backup;
• Thermal insulation using high-density polyurethane foam (≥100 mm thickness) to minimize energy consumption and external surface temperature rise.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The PH Series accommodates a wide range of non-hazardous solid samples up to the specified internal chamber dimensions (W × D × H, mm), making it suitable for PCB assemblies, polymer specimens, sensor modules, packaging materials, and miniature electromechanical devices. All models are validated against GB/T 2423.3 for constant damp heat exposure at prescribed temperature/humidity combinations (e.g., 40°C/93% RH, 55°C/95% RH). While not certified to ISO/IEC 17025 or accredited per ILAC-MRA, the chamber’s control stability, traceable calibration support (via optional NIST-traceable sensor kits), and documented uncertainty budgets enable its use in GLP-compliant environments where method validation is performed internally. The unit supports test documentation generation compatible with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 requirements when paired with LabCompanion’s optional audit-trail-enabled data acquisition software.

Software & Data Management

Standard operation is managed via the embedded 7-inch TFT touchscreen controller with multi-language UI (English default). Optional Ethernet or RS-485 interfaces allow integration into centralized lab management systems. The LabCompanion DataLink™ software package (sold separately) enables remote monitoring, automated report generation (PDF/CSV), real-time graphing of chamber profiles, and secure user-access control with role-based permissions. All logged data include timestamps, operator IDs, and event annotations—supporting full traceability for internal audits and regulatory submissions. Data integrity is reinforced through cyclic redundancy check (CRC) validation and write-once archival modes compliant with ISO/IEC 17025 clause 7.5.2.

Applications

• Accelerated aging studies of conformal coatings and encapsulants under sustained high-RH conditions;
• Stability assessment of moisture-sensitive electronic components (e.g., MEMS sensors, hybrid ICs) per JEDEC J-STD-020 guidelines;
• Material compatibility testing of adhesives, sealants, and elastomers exposed to cyclic or constant humid heat;
• Pre-conditioning of test specimens prior to mechanical, electrical, or optical characterization;
• Validation of packaging barrier performance (e.g., blister packs, desiccant-laden pouches) under defined climatic stress;
• Supporting IEC 60068-2-30 (damp heat, cyclic) test preparation via precise boundary condition stabilization.

FAQ

What standards does the PH Series comply with?
The chamber meets the technical requirements of GB/T 2423.3 for constant damp heat testing and is functionally aligned with IEC 60068-2-78. Calibration and verification procedures follow JJF 1101–2019 (National Metrological Verification Regulation for Environmental Test Chambers).
Can the chamber operate continuously for 1,000+ hours?
Yes—designed for unattended long-term operation with redundant safety controls, continuous compressor duty cycle management, and thermal overload protection. Recommended preventive maintenance intervals are every 1,500 operating hours.
Is third-party calibration support available?
LabCompanion provides factory calibration certificates (traceable to CNAS-accredited reference standards). Optional on-site calibration by ISO/IEC 17025-accredited partners can be arranged upon request.
Does the controller support programmable ramp-soak profiles?
The base controller supports constant-setpoint operation only. For multi-step temperature/humidity profiling, the optional LabCompanion SmartControl™ upgrade module is required.
What is the typical lead time for custom interior dimensions?
Standard PH Series models ship within 4–6 weeks. Customized internal volumes (subject to structural and thermal feasibility review) require minimum 10-week lead time and formal engineering sign-off prior to order confirmation.