LabCompanion PR-225 Temperature and Humidity Controlled Environmental Test Chamber

Overview

The LabCompanion PR-225 is an upright temperature and humidity controlled environmental test chamber engineered for precise, repeatable simulation of climatic stress conditions in laboratory and industrial quality assurance environments. It operates on the principle of forced-air convection combined with dual-channel PID-controlled refrigeration, heating, and humidification systems—enabling stable maintenance of specified thermal and hygric profiles across a wide operational envelope. Designed in accordance with IEC 60068-2 series standards for environmental testing of electrotechnical products, the PR-225 supports accelerated aging, reliability screening, and pre-compliance validation for components and assemblies subjected to real-world storage, transport, and operational environments.

Key Features

• Robust stainless-steel inner chamber (500 × 750 × 500 mm W×H×D) with seamless welded construction and electrostatically applied epoxy-coated outer enclosure for corrosion resistance and long-term dimensional stability.
• Dual-stage refrigeration system using environmentally compliant R404A/R23 cascade configuration, enabling rapid cooling response and extended low-temperature capability down to –20 °C (standard configuration).
• Precision steam-humidification system with stainless-steel water reservoir, auto-fill function, and anti-scaling heater design—ensuring consistent RH delivery from 20 % to 98 % RH at temperatures between 10 °C and 85 °C.
• Intelligent microprocessor-based controller with 7-inch TFT touchscreen interface, real-time graphing, programmable multi-step cycles (up to 99 segments), and USB data logging support.
• Independent over-temperature, over-humidity, and dry-run protection circuits—compliant with EN 61000-6-2/6-4 electromagnetic compatibility requirements and UL 61010-1 safety certification.
• Integrated RS485 Modbus RTU port and optional Ethernet interface for integration into centralized lab management systems and automated test sequences.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The PR-225 accommodates a broad range of sample types—including PCBs, polymer enclosures, battery modules, optical sensors, and pharmaceutical packaging—without compromising chamber uniformity or control fidelity. Internal airflow distribution is validated per IEC 60068-3-5:2018, demonstrating ≤±1.5 °C spatial temperature variation and ≤±3.0 % RH deviation across the working volume under steady-state conditions. The chamber meets essential requirements for ISO/IEC 17025-accredited laboratories performing environmental qualification per ASTM D4332, MIL-STD-810H Method 507.6 (Humidity), and JIS Z 8702. Optional calibration certificates traceable to NIM (China National Institute of Metrology) are available upon request. For regulated industries, the system supports GLP-compliant operation through user-level access control, audit trail generation, and electronic signature readiness when paired with validated software extensions.

Software & Data Management

The embedded controller firmware includes built-in data recording at user-selectable intervals (1 s to 60 min), with time-stamped CSV export via USB flash drive. Optional LabCompanion ETSuite™ software (Windows-based) enables remote monitoring, multi-chamber synchronization, statistical process control (SPC) charting, and automated report generation in PDF or Excel format. All logged parameters—including chamber setpoint, actual temperature/humidity, compressor status, and alarm history—are stored with immutable timestamps. When configured with network-enabled hardware, the system supports FDA 21 CFR Part 11 compliance through role-based authentication, electronic signatures, and encrypted audit logs—facilitating use in GMP-regulated QC/QA workflows.

Applications

• Accelerated life testing of automotive electronics under cyclic temperature–humidity profiles (e.g., ISO 16750-4).
• Stability assessment of medical device packaging per ISO 11607-1, including peel strength and seal integrity evaluation after humidity exposure.
• Material property evaluation: moisture absorption kinetics of thermoplastics (ASTM D5229), dimensional change in composites (ASTM D570), and dielectric performance degradation in high-RH conditions.
• Pre-conditioning of lithium-ion cells prior to electrical characterization (UN 38.3 Section 38.3.4.1).
• Validation of HVAC filter media performance under elevated humidity load (ASHRAE Standard 52.2).
• Environmental stress screening (ESS) of avionics subassemblies per RTCA DO-160G Section 4.0 (Temperature and Humidity).

FAQ

What is the maximum allowable load mass inside the PR-225 without affecting temperature/humidity uniformity?

For optimal performance, total non-volatile load mass should not exceed 35 kg; heavier or thermally massive samples require extended stabilization time and may reduce effective chamber uniformity.
Can the PR-225 operate continuously at 98 % RH above 85 °C?

No—maximum sustainable RH at elevated temperatures is limited by condensation risk and sensor accuracy; operation above 85 °C is recommended at ≤85 % RH.
Is third-party IQ/OQ documentation available for GxP environments?

Yes—LabCompanion provides customizable Installation Qualification (IQ) and Operational Qualification (OQ) protocol templates, along with vendor-executed qualification services upon request.
Does the chamber include a drain port for continuous dehumidification operation?

Yes—a rear-mounted condensate drain fitting is standard, supporting gravity-fed or pump-assisted removal during prolonged low-RH cycling.
What is the typical recalibration interval for the integrated temperature and humidity sensors?

Annual calibration is recommended; certified reference probes (e.g., Rotronic HC2-S) can be used for in-situ verification against internal sensors.