OK Environmental Systems OK-STH-8m2 Walk-in Temperature & Humidity Chamber

Overview

The OK Environmental Systems OK-STH-8m2 Walk-in Temperature & Humidity Chamber is an engineered environmental simulation platform designed for system-level reliability validation under controlled thermal and hygrothermal conditions. Based on the principle of forced-air convection combined with precision PID-controlled refrigeration, heating, and humidification subsystems, it maintains stable, repeatable, and spatially uniform climatic environments across its 8 m³ internal volume (2000 mm × 2000 mm × 2000 mm). Unlike benchtop or upright environmental chambers, this walk-in configuration enables direct human access—facilitating installation, cabling, real-time instrumentation, and in-situ diagnostics of large-scale test articles such as electric vehicle powertrains, aerospace avionics racks, utility-scale battery energy storage systems (BESS), and telecom infrastructure cabinets. Its structural architecture integrates high-strength steel framing, multi-layer insulated panel construction, and redundant safety controls to meet industrial-grade operational demands over extended test durations.

Key Features

• Modular, field-assembled chamber structure using 150 mm thick PU-insulated sandwich panels with ≥0.5 W/m²·K thermal transmittance (U-value), ensuring low heat leakage and stable thermal inertia.
• Dual-stage cascade refrigeration system with parallel compressor banks, enabling stable operation down to −70°C while maintaining humidity control capability above 0°C.
• High-volume air circulation system featuring variable-speed centrifugal fans and symmetrically distributed supply/return ducts—validated to achieve ≤±3°C temperature uniformity (per IEC 60068-3-5) at steady-state conditions.
• Integrated steam-based humidification system with dehumidification via cold coil condensation, supporting 20–98% RH control within applicable temperature bands.
• Industrial-grade PLC-based controller with 10.4″ color touchscreen HMI, supporting up to 99 programmable steps, ramp-soak profiles, and real-time deviation alarms.
• Comprehensive safety architecture including over-temperature cutoff, refrigerant pressure monitoring, door interlock, emergency stop, and independent mechanical thermostat backup.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The OK-STH-8m2 accommodates physically integrated test objects up to 1.8 m in height, width, and depth—including fully assembled EV battery modules, photovoltaic inverters, server racks, and aircraft cockpit mock-ups. Its interior allows for multiple feedthrough ports (standard 80 mm diameter, configurable up to 200 mm) sealed with silicone gaskets to maintain chamber integrity during signal/power transmission. The chamber conforms to core environmental testing standards including IEC 60068-2-1 (cold), IEC 60068-2-2 (dry heat), IEC 60068-2-30 (damp heat cyclic), and ASTM D4332 (conditioning of plastics). It supports GLP-compliant data traceability when paired with optional audit-ready software modules compliant with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 requirements for electronic records and signatures.

Software & Data Management

The embedded controller logs timestamped temperature and humidity data at user-defined intervals (1 s to 60 min resolution) to internal flash memory (≥16 GB) and external USB drives. Optional Ethernet/Wi-Fi connectivity enables remote monitoring via OK’s proprietary ChamberLink™ web interface—supporting live parameter visualization, alarm notifications via SMTP/SMS, and export of CSV/Excel-formatted reports. For regulated environments, the optional Data Integrity Suite adds role-based access control, electronic signature workflows, and immutable audit trails—including operator ID, parameter changes, manual overrides, and system event logs—fully aligned with ISO/IEC 17025 and GMP Annex 11 expectations.

Applications

• Automotive: Whole-vehicle cold-start validation, HVAC performance mapping, and battery thermal management system (BTMS) endurance testing across −40°C to +85°C cycles.
• Aerospace: Environmental qualification of flight-critical avionics enclosures per DO-160 Section 4 (temperature) and Section 10 (humidity).
• Energy Storage: Accelerated life cycling of lithium-ion BESS cabinets under combined thermal stress and humidity exposure per UL 9540A and IEEE 1679.2.
• Datacom: Thermal profiling of 19″ rack-mounted servers and edge computing nodes under sustained load, simulating data center hot aisle conditions.
• Manufacturing: Batch-level burn-in screening of PCB assemblies, conformal-coated sensors, and sealed optical modules using extended dwell profiles at elevated temperature/humidity.

FAQ

What is the maximum sample power dissipation the chamber can handle without compromising temperature stability?
The OK-STH-8m2 is rated for up to 5 kW of internal heat load at −40°C ambient; higher loads require derating or custom refrigeration augmentation—consult engineering specifications prior to test planning.
Can the chamber be configured for rapid temperature transitions (e.g., thermal shock)?
Standard configuration supports 1.0–4.0°C/min heating rates; for ≥10°C/min ramp rates, the optional Rapid Thermal Transition (RTT) package—featuring enhanced compressor staging and auxiliary heater banks—is required.
Is on-site commissioning and IQ/OQ documentation available?
Yes—OK Environmental Systems provides factory-authorized installation, SAT (Site Acceptance Testing), and full GxP-compliant Installation Qualification (IQ) and Operational Qualification (OQ) documentation packages upon request.
How is humidity controlled at sub-zero temperatures?
Humidity control is disabled below 0°C per standard configuration; sub-zero moisture conditioning requires optional LN₂-assisted frost-point control and specialized sensor calibration—not included in base model.
What electrical supply and facility requirements apply?
Standard operation requires 380 VAC ±10%, 3-phase, 50 Hz, with dedicated 63 A circuit breaker; chilled water connection (optional) and floor drainage are recommended for high-humidity operation.