LabCompanion PL-800 Benchtop Temperature and Humidity Controlled Environmental Test Chamber

Overview

The LabCompanion PL-800 is a precision-engineered benchtop environmental test chamber designed for rigorous temperature and humidity conditioning of materials, components, and finished products under controlled, repeatable conditions. It operates on the principle of forced-air convection with independent dual-loop PID control for temperature and humidity—enabling stable thermal and hygroscopic environments essential for accelerated aging, reliability validation, and quality assurance testing. The chamber integrates a high-efficiency refrigeration system with cascade compressor technology for low-temperature capability down to −70 °C, coupled with a stainless-steel steam generator and precision humidity sensor for accurate RH regulation across the full 20–98 % RH range. Its robust construction—including insulated double-wall panels with polyurethane foam (≥100 mm thickness), corrosion-resistant interior (SUS304 stainless steel), and sealed door gasket—ensures minimal thermal leakage and long-term operational stability in laboratory and QC environments.

Key Features

• Wide operational envelope: −70 °C to +150 °C temperature range and 20–98 % RH humidity range, supporting both high-temperature drying and sub-zero freeze-thaw protocols.
• High-accuracy dual-loop control: Independent PID algorithms for temperature and humidity deliver ≤ ±2 °C temperature uniformity and ±2.5 % RH humidity uniformity across the working volume.
• Benchtop configuration with large internal volume (1000 × 1000 × 800 mm) optimized for space-constrained labs without compromising test capacity.
• Non-linear heating rate of ~3.5 °C/min (20 °C to +150 °C, no-load), enabling rapid thermal ramping while maintaining structural integrity and sensor response fidelity.
• Triple-layer observation window with electrically heated anti-fog coating and integrated LED lighting for real-time sample monitoring without chamber disturbance.
• Over-temperature, over-humidity, compressor overload, and phase-failure protection circuits ensure compliance with IEC 61000-4 electromagnetic compatibility standards and UL 61010-1 safety requirements.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The PL-800 accommodates diverse sample types—including electronic assemblies, polymer films, pharmaceutical packaging, automotive sensors, and printed circuit boards—without requiring custom fixtures. Its uniform airflow design (tested per ASTM E145-22 Annex A3) minimizes localized hot/cold spots, ensuring representative exposure across all test specimens. The chamber meets key international regulatory expectations for environmental stress screening: it supports test method execution aligned with ISO 16750-4 (road vehicles), IEC 60068-2-1 (cold), IEC 60068-2-2 (dry heat), IEC 60068-2-30 (damp heat cyclic), and MIL-STD-810H Method 507.7. While not certified as GMP-compliant out-of-the-box, its architecture supports qualification (IQ/OQ/PQ) and audit-ready documentation when paired with validated calibration procedures and external data loggers traceable to NIST standards.

Software & Data Management

The PL-800 is equipped with an embedded 7-inch color touchscreen HMI running LabCompanion’s proprietary firmware (v3.2+), supporting up to 100 programmable multi-step profiles with segment-based ramp/soak logic, event-triggered alarms, and real-time graphing. Optional Ethernet or RS485 connectivity enables integration into centralized lab management systems via Modbus TCP or ASCII protocol. When used with LabCompanion’s optional PC software (ChamberLink Pro), users gain FDA 21 CFR Part 11-compliant features including electronic signatures, role-based access control, automated audit trails, and encrypted CSV/PDF report generation—including timestamped deviation logs and calibration history. All recorded data (temperature, humidity, elapsed time, alarm status) are stored internally for ≥30 days and exportable without proprietary drivers.

Applications

• Accelerated life testing of lithium-ion battery cells under combined thermal-hygric stress to evaluate electrolyte decomposition and SEI layer stability.
• Stability assessment of moisture-sensitive pharmaceuticals (e.g., lyophilized biologics) per ICH Q1A(R2) guidelines using isothermal and cyclic humidity protocols.
• Reliability validation of automotive ECUs exposed to humid tropical conditions (e.g., 85 °C / 85 % RH for 1000 h per AEC-Q200).
• Material property evaluation—including dimensional stability of composites, glass transition shifts in thermoplastics, and delamination onset in laminated substrates.
• Pre-conditioning of test specimens prior to mechanical, electrical, or optical characterization per ASTM D618 or ISO 291 standard conditioning requirements.

FAQ

What is the maximum allowable load weight inside the PL-800 chamber?

The chamber’s internal shelf system supports up to 50 kg distributed evenly across the floor plate; total payload must not obstruct rear air intake or top exhaust grilles.
Does the PL-800 support unattended overnight operation?

Yes—equipped with hardware-level safety interlocks, automatic power recovery after outage, and configurable email/SMS alerts via optional IoT gateway module.
Can humidity be maintained below 20 % RH?

No—the specified lower limit is 20 % RH; for desiccated environments (<10 % RH), a dedicated dry box or nitrogen-purged chamber is recommended.
Is third-party calibration certification available?

Yes—LabCompanion offers UKAS-accredited calibration services (traceable to NPL) for temperature and humidity sensors, including as-found/as-left reports and uncertainty budgets.
What maintenance intervals are recommended for optimal performance?

Refrigerant oil inspection every 12 months; steam generator descaling every 3 months (with deionized water); filter replacement every 6 months; full system verification annually per ISO/IEC 17025 internal checklist.