LabCompanion RP Series Programmable High-Temperature & High-Humidity Environmental Test Chamber

Overview

The LabCompanion RP Series Programmable High-Temperature & High-Humidity Environmental Test Chamber is an engineered solution for controlled accelerated stress testing under combined thermal and hygrothermal conditions. Designed in accordance with fundamental principles of psychrometric control and forced-air convection thermodynamics, the chamber delivers precise, repeatable regulation of temperature (−20 °C to 150 °C) and relative humidity (30–98% RH) across a range of internal volumes—from 150 L to 800 L. Its dual-loop PID-controlled refrigeration, heating, and humidification subsystems operate in coordinated feedback with high-stability Pt100 sensors, enabling stable operation during steady-state and dynamic cycling profiles. The system supports complex multi-segment test programs—including ramp-soak cycles, step transitions, and long-term dwell—making it suitable for qualification, reliability screening, and environmental simulation in regulated development workflows.

Key Features

• Programmable touch-screen controller with bilingual (English/Chinese) interface, supporting up to 120 programs, 1200 segments, and 999 loop repetitions; segment duration adjustable up to 99 hours 59 minutes
• Dual-loop PID tuning capability (9 independent parameter sets) for optimized thermal and humidity response under varying load conditions
• Forced-air circulation system with asymmetric airflow distribution and adjustable vane design, ensuring ≤±2 °C temperature deviation and ≤±3% RH non-uniformity (at ≥75% RH) across working volume
• Vacuum double-glazed observation window with integrated anti-frost heater for unobstructed visual monitoring without condensation interference
• Front-mounted automatic water-fill system with level sensor and low-water cutoff, compatible with deionized or distilled water supply
• Modular refrigeration architecture: air-cooled configuration standard on RP-150/RP-225; optional water-cooled upgrade available for RP-408/RP-800 to maintain performance at ambient temperatures up to 35 °C
• Comprehensive fault diagnostics with real-time on-screen alarm codes (e.g., compressor overheat, sensor open-circuit, humidifier dry-run), facilitating rapid root-cause identification and resolution
• Robust mechanical construction: cold-rolled steel exterior with electrostatic epoxy coating; SUS304 stainless-steel interior chamber; high-efficiency insulation using either ultra-fine glass fiber or closed-cell polyurethane foam

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The RP Series accommodates a broad spectrum of physical samples—including printed circuit boards (PCBs), polymer components, optical assemblies, battery cells, and sealed electronic enclosures—without requiring internal modifications. All models comply with internationally recognized environmental test standards, including IEC 60068-2-1 (cold), IEC 60068-2-2 (dry heat), IEC 60068-2-3 (damp heat, steady-state), MIL-STD-810F methods 501.4 (high temperature), 502.4 (low temperature), and 507.4 (humidity), as well as JESD22-A101-B (constant humidity), A103-C (high-temperature storage), and A119 (low-temperature storage). The chamber’s design meets the physical and procedural requirements of GB/T 2423.1–4 and GJB 150.9 for laboratory-based environmental qualification. Optional RS485 communication and data logging interfaces support integration into GLP/GMP-compliant validation protocols, including audit-trail-capable software packages compliant with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 requirements when deployed with validated third-party platforms.

Software & Data Management

The embedded controller provides local data logging of temperature and humidity values at user-defined intervals (1–600 seconds), with onboard storage capacity for ≥30 days of continuous 1-minute sampling. Raw data export is supported via USB flash drive in CSV format for post-processing in Excel, MATLAB, or statistical analysis tools. Optional PC-based supervision software enables remote monitoring, real-time graphing, alarm notification via email/SMS, and automated report generation per ISO/IEC 17025 documentation templates. When configured with external data acquisition hardware and validated software, the system supports full traceability—including operator ID, timestamp, parameter set version, and calibration certificate reference—for use in accredited testing laboratories subject to CNAS or A2LA assessment.

Applications

The RP Series serves critical roles across multiple technical domains: evaluating moisture ingress resistance and thermal expansion mismatch in automotive electronics; validating solder joint integrity under cyclic damp-heat exposure per JEDEC J-STD-020; conducting accelerated aging studies on packaging materials and conformal coatings; performing shelf-life prediction of pharmaceutical primary packaging under ICH Q1A(R2) stability conditions; and executing environmental stress screening (ESS) of avionics modules per RTCA DO-160 Section 4. In academic research, it supports investigations into polymer hydrolysis kinetics, corrosion mechanisms in metallic alloys, and phase-transition behavior in phase-change materials under coupled thermal-hygrometric loading.

FAQ

What is the maximum allowable ambient temperature for reliable operation?
The RP-150 and RP-225 models are rated for ambient temperatures up to 30 °C; RP-408 and RP-800 units with water-cooled condensers support ambient operation up to 35 °C.
Can the chamber perform temperature-only cycles without humidity control?
Yes—humidity output can be disabled independently while maintaining full temperature programming functionality, including ramp/soak and cycling modes.
Is the controller firmware upgradable in the field?
Yes, firmware updates are delivered via USB stick and installed through the controller’s maintenance menu, preserving all user-programmed test profiles and calibration settings.
What safety certifications does the unit carry?
Standard configurations meet CE marking requirements per EN 61000-6-2 (immunity) and EN 61000-6-4 (emission); UL/cUL listing is available upon request for North American deployment.
How is traceable calibration maintained?
Each unit ships with a factory calibration certificate referencing NIST-traceable standards; optional on-site calibration services include as-found/as-left reports with uncertainty budgets aligned to ISO/IEC 17025 Clause 6.5.