OK Instruments OK-TH-100.00 Temperature and Humidity Controlled Environmental Test Chamber

Overview

The OK Instruments OK-TH-100.00 Temperature and Humidity Controlled Environmental Test Chamber is an engineered benchtop system designed for precise simulation of natural climatic conditions in laboratory and quality assurance environments. It operates on the principle of closed-loop thermodynamic control, integrating dual-stage refrigeration (R404A/R23 mixed refrigerant), PID-regulated heating elements, and steam-based humidification with precision dew-point monitoring. The chamber maintains stable thermal and hygric profiles across its full operational range (–40 °C to +150 °C; 20–98 %RH), enabling reproducible evaluation of material stability, component reliability, and product performance under accelerated environmental stress. Its compact footprint and modular architecture make it suitable for integration into ISO/IEC 17025-accredited testing laboratories, R&D centers, and production-line QA stations where space efficiency and regulatory traceability are critical.

Key Features

• Microprocessor-driven touchscreen controller with real-time graphical display, data logging, and bilingual (English/Chinese) interface—designed for intuitive operation and audit-ready parameter tracking.
• Double-wall construction using seamless SUS#304 stainless steel for interior and exterior surfaces, ensuring corrosion resistance, long-term dimensional stability, and compliance with cleanroom-compatible surface requirements.
• Multi-layer observation window with embedded conductive film heating to prevent condensation, enabling unobstructed visual monitoring of test specimens during high-humidity or low-temperature cycles.
• Air-cooled, fully sealed hermetic compressor system optimized for low-noise operation (<65 dB(A)) and extended service life under continuous duty cycles.
• Dual independent safety layers: hardware-based thermal cutouts (mechanical over-temperature limiters) and software-enforced fail-safe logic that halts operation and triggers audible/visual alarms upon deviation beyond user-defined thresholds.
• Standard 50 mm diameter cable port (left-side mounted) with silicone gasket seal, facilitating external sensor integration, power feed-through, or real-time signal acquisition without compromising chamber integrity.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The OK-TH-100.00 accommodates a broad spectrum of sample types—including electronic assemblies, polymer components, pharmaceutical packaging, automotive sensors, and coated substrates—within its 100 L internal volume (500 × 500 × 400 mm). Its uniformity specifications (±0.5 °C temperature, ±2.5 %RH humidity) meet the spatial homogeneity requirements defined in IEC 60068-3-5 and ASTM E145 for environmental testing equipment validation. The chamber supports full-cycle execution per MIL-STD-810H Method 502.7 (Temperature), Method 507.6 (Humidity), and Method 509.6 (Combined Temperature/Humidity). It also conforms to GB/T 2423.1–2022 (Cold), GB/T 2423.2–2022 (Dry Heat), GB/T 2423.4–2022 (Cyclic Damp Heat), and GJB 150.3A–2009 / GJB 150.4A–2009 military standards. Optional calibration certificates (NIST-traceable) and IQ/OQ documentation packages are available to support GLP, GMP, and FDA 21 CFR Part 11 compliance workflows.

Software & Data Management

The integrated controller records time-stamped temperature and humidity values at user-selectable intervals (1 s to 60 min), storing up to 10,000 data points internally. Export is supported via USB 2.0 to CSV or Excel-compatible formats for post-test analysis in MATLAB, JMP, or Minitab. Optional Ethernet or RS485 interfaces enable remote monitoring and centralized fleet management through third-party SCADA or LIMS platforms. Audit trail functionality logs all operator actions—including setpoint changes, program starts/stops, and alarm acknowledgments—with timestamp, user ID, and reason code. All stored data retain immutable timestamps and are protected against unauthorized modification, satisfying ALCOA+ principles for regulated industries.

Applications

• Accelerated aging studies of lithium-ion battery enclosures under thermal cycling and high-RH exposure.
• Validation of moisture barrier integrity in blister-packaged solid oral dosage forms per USP .
• Thermal shock endurance assessment of printed circuit board assemblies (PCBAs) prior to automotive AEC-Q200 qualification.
• Coating adhesion and blistering evaluation on metal substrates under cyclic humidity ramping (e.g., ASTM D714).
• Stability testing of optical lenses and MEMS devices under combined low-temperature and low-humidity conditions.
• Qualification of industrial IoT sensors operating in tropical or arctic deployment scenarios.

FAQ

What is the maximum allowable load mass inside the chamber without compromising temperature/humidity uniformity?
The chamber is rated for static loads up to 30 kg distributed evenly across the two included stainless-steel shelves. Exceeding this may impede airflow distribution and degrade uniformity beyond ±0.5 °C / ±2.5 %RH.
Does the unit support programmable ramp-soak profiles with humidity coupling?
Yes—the controller supports up to 99 segments per program, including simultaneous linear or stepwise temperature/humidity ramps with dwell times, rate limits, and conditional branching based on real-time sensor feedback.
Is remote firmware update capability available?
Firmware updates require local USB connection and authenticated administrator access; no over-the-air (OTA) update functionality is implemented to maintain cybersecurity integrity per IEC 62443-3-3.
Can the chamber be validated for ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation?
Yes—OK Instruments provides optional UKAS-accredited calibration services, uncertainty budgets, and full validation protocols (IQ/OQ/PQ) aligned with ISO/IEC 17025:2017 clause 6.4.6 for measurement equipment.
What maintenance intervals are recommended for optimal long-term performance?
Compressor oil inspection every 24 months; condenser coil cleaning every 6 months (in non-dust-controlled labs); humidity sensor recalibration annually or after 2,000 operational hours—whichever occurs first.