VELP FOC 200IL Illuminated Plant Growth Incubator

Overview

The VELP FOC 200IL Illuminated Plant Growth Incubator is a precision-engineered environmental chamber designed for reproducible, long-term biological experiments requiring tightly controlled temperature and photoperiodic conditions. Based on forced-air convection with micro-fan circulation and PID-controlled heating, the system maintains thermal stability across its 169 L internal volume while delivering uniform illumination via high-output LED arrays mounted beneath two of three adjustable shelves. Its operational range of 3–50 °C supports applications from psychrophilic microbial culture to thermophilic seed germination, with temperature homogeneity maintained within ±0.5 °C throughout the working chamber — verified per ISO 17025 traceable calibration protocols. The unit complies with IEC 61000-6-3 (EMC) and IEC 61010-1 (safety), and its A+-rated energy efficiency aligns with EU Regulation (EU) No 2019/2020 for laboratory equipment.

Key Features

• PID-based AUTO-TUNING electronic temperature control system with 0.1 °C digital resolution and programmable high/low alarm thresholds
• Three-tier stainless-steel shelving configuration; two shelves equipped with dedicated 230 V AC sockets and integrated LED light modules delivering 30,000 lux per illuminated layer
• Micro-fan-assisted air circulation ensuring minimal vertical/horizontal thermal gradients (±0.5 °C uniformity confirmed at nine-point mapping per ASTM E145 Annex B)
• Full-height transparent tempered glass door with anti-fog coating, enabling non-invasive real-time monitoring without compromising chamber integrity
• Onboard timer function for precise photoperiod programming (e.g., 16h light / 8h dark cycles), synchronized with temperature setpoint profiles
• Integrated 400 W power supply compliant with 230 V / 50–60 Hz mains input; CE-marked and RoHS-compliant construction

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The FOC 200IL accommodates standard Petri dishes, multi-well plates, Erlenmeyer flasks (up to 2 L), growth pouches, and insect rearing cages across its 540 × 1300 × 550 mm interior. Its temperature and illumination profile stability meets requirements for GLP-compliant plant phenotyping, OECD 208 (terrestrial plant toxicity testing), and ISO 5667-16 (microbiological water analysis). The incubator’s design facilitates cleaning validation per ISO 14644-1 Class 8 cleanroom practices and supports routine IQ/OQ/PQ documentation workflows. All electrical components conform to EN 61326-1 for laboratory measurement equipment.

Software & Data Management

The optional TEMPSoft™ software provides full remote supervision and audit-trail-capable data governance. When connected via USB or RS-232 interface, it enables continuous logging of chamber temperature against user-defined setpoints, automatic generation of time-series trend plots, and configurable threshold-triggered alerts (email/SNMP). Data exports comply with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 requirements through encrypted DataBox™ storage, including electronic signatures, version-controlled parameter logs, and immutable timestamping. Historical datasets are exportable in CSV and PDF formats suitable for regulatory submissions under ISO/IEC 17025 or ISO 9001 quality systems.

Applications

• Controlled-environment plant physiology studies (e.g., photomorphogenesis, vernalization, stress response assays)
• Seed viability and germination testing per ISTA Rules and AOSA Standards
• Cultivation of phototrophic microorganisms (e.g., Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, cyanobacteria) and light-dependent fungal strains
• Insect developmental biology (e.g., *Drosophila melanogaster* eclosion timing, *Tribolium castaneum* life-cycle staging)
• Nutritional research involving light-mediated metabolite synthesis (e.g., anthocyanin accumulation, vitamin D precursor activation)
• Pre-acclimatization protocols for tissue-cultured plantlets prior to greenhouse transfer

FAQ

Is the FOC 200IL certified for use in GLP-regulated laboratories?
Yes — when operated with TEMPSoft™ and DataBox™, the system supports ALCOA+ data integrity principles and generates compliant audit trails required for OECD GLP inspections.
Can the LED light intensity be adjusted per shelf?
No — illumination is fixed at 30,000 lux per illuminated shelf; however, photoperiod duration and timing are fully programmable via the onboard controller or TEMPSoft™.
What is the maximum load capacity per shelf?
Each shelf supports up to 15 kg distributed load; total chamber loading must not obstruct airflow paths or compromise thermal uniformity.
Does the unit include validation documentation?
VELP supplies a Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) report; Installation Qualification (IQ) templates and Operational Qualification (OQ) test protocols are available upon request.
Is refrigeration capability available on this model?
No — the FOC 200IL is a heating-only incubator; for sub-ambient operation, consider the VELP FOC 200R series with Peltier cooling.