LabCompanion PL-408 Temperature and Humidity Environmental Test Chamber
| Brand | LabCompanion |
|---|---|
| Origin | Guangdong, China |
| Manufacturer | Hongzhan Technology Co., Ltd. |
| Type | Vertical Chamber |
| Cooling Method | Air-Cooled |
| Temperature Range | −40 °C to +150 °C |
| Humidity Range | 20–98 % RH |
| Temperature Uniformity | ≤ ±2 °C |
| Temperature Fluctuation | ±0.5 °C |
| Humidity Uniformity | +2 to −3 % RH |
| Humidity Fluctuation | ±2.0 % RH |
| Heating Rate | 3.5 °C/min (non-linear, no-load, 25 °C → 150 °C) |
| Interior Dimensions (W×D×H) | 800 × 850 × 600 mm |
Overview
The LabCompanion PL-408 is a precision-engineered vertical environmental test chamber designed for rigorous temperature and humidity conditioning of materials, components, and electronic assemblies under controlled laboratory and industrial QC environments. It operates on the fundamental principles of thermodynamic equilibrium and psychrometric control—utilizing independent heating, refrigeration, humidification, and dehumidification subsystems to maintain stable, reproducible climatic conditions across its working volume. The chamber complies with core international environmental stress testing standards—including IEC 60068-2, ISO 16750-4, and MIL-STD-810G—and serves as a foundational tool for reliability validation, accelerated aging studies, and pre-compliance screening in R&D, manufacturing QA, and regulatory submission workflows.
Key Features
- Robust dual-wall construction: Exterior cabinet fabricated from cold-rolled carbon steel with phosphate treatment and electrostatic epoxy powder coating; interior chamber lined with high-purity SUS304 stainless steel mirror-finish panels for corrosion resistance and cleanability.
- Independent climate control architecture: Fully segregated heating (nickel-chromium alloy sheathed heaters), humidification (external stainless steel shallow-surface evaporative system), and dehumidification (direct-expansion evaporator coil with dew-point contact method) circuits ensure minimal cross-interference and extended service life.
- High-efficiency air circulation: Low-noise, high-torque AC motor driving multi-blade centrifugal impeller; optimized inlet/outlet duct design enables uniform airflow distribution and rapid thermal recovery (< 3 min after door opening per IEC 60068-3-5).
- Advanced insulation system: 100 mm thick rigid polyurethane foam (thermal conductivity ≤ 0.022 W/m·K) combined with ultra-fine glass fiber layers minimizes heat transfer and stabilizes chamber dynamics during prolonged dwell cycles.
- Fail-safe protection suite: Comprehensive safety monitoring includes over-temperature cutoff, refrigerant high-pressure shutdown, phase-loss detection, water-level sensor interlock, motor overheat relay, and SSR failure redundancy—all logged via controller event history.
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The PL-408 accommodates diverse sample geometries up to 800 × 850 × 600 mm (W×D×H), with standard accessories including two adjustable stainless steel test racks, a triple-size cable port (25/50/100 mm), and an illuminated double-glazed observation window. Its design meets structural and operational requirements of GB/T 2423.1–2001 (cold testing), GB/T 2423.2–2001 (dry heat), and GB/T 2423.3–1993 (damp heat, cyclic). Optional configurations support integration into GLP/GMP-regulated laboratories—equipped with audit-trail-enabled controllers compliant with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 when paired with validated data acquisition software.
Software & Data Management
Equipped with a Japanese-made digital touch-panel PID controller featuring dual-loop temperature/humidity regulation, real-time trend plotting, and programmable ramp-soak profiles (up to 99 segments). Standard RS485 Modbus RTU interface enables bidirectional communication with SCADA or LIMS platforms. Optional analog output (4–20 mA) supports connection to external chart recorders or PLC-based monitoring systems. Firmware supports data logging at user-defined intervals (1 s to 60 min), with CSV export capability and time-stamped alarm archives—fully traceable for internal quality audits.
Applications
- Accelerated life testing of automotive ECUs, PCBAs, and polymer enclosures per ISO 16750-4 and AEC-Q200.
- Stability assessment of pharmaceutical packaging under ICH Q1A(R2) long-term and accelerated storage conditions.
- Environmental stress screening (ESS) of aerospace avionics prior to HALT/HASS qualification.
- Material compatibility testing for adhesives, sealants, and composite laminates exposed to combined thermal-hygrometric loads.
- Calibration verification of hygrometers, thermistors, and data loggers against NIST-traceable reference standards.
FAQ
What refrigeration technology does the PL-408 use?
It employs either a single-stage air-cooled hermetic compressor (original Tecumseh or Copeland unit) or an optional cascade refrigeration system for extended low-temperature performance down to −40 °C.
Is the chamber suitable for continuous operation at 98% RH?
Yes—the external stainless steel evaporative humidifier and condensate recovery circuit enable sustained high-humidity operation while minimizing water consumption and maintenance frequency.
Can temperature and humidity be controlled independently?
Yes—its fully decoupled control architecture allows simultaneous but independent setpoint management for both parameters, critical for simulating non-equilibrium environmental profiles.
Does the controller support remote monitoring?
Standard RS485 Modbus RTU interface permits integration with building management systems (BMS) or centralized lab monitoring platforms via industry-standard protocols.
What calibration documentation is provided?
Each unit ships with a factory-as-built verification report, including temperature/humidity uniformity maps and stability test results measured per ISO/IEC 17025-accredited procedures.
