Yiheng LRH-500F Biochemical Incubator

Overview

The Yiheng LRH-500F Biochemical Incubator is a precision-engineered, forced-air convection incubator designed for stable, reproducible temperature control in life science laboratories. Built upon a robust stainless-steel architecture and optimized thermal management system, it operates across a wide temperature range of 0–60 °C with resolution of 0.1 °C—enabling consistent environmental conditioning for microbial culture, enzymatic assays, BOD testing, seed germination, and long-term biological sample storage. Its compressor-based refrigeration system utilizes environmentally compliant R134a refrigerant, ensuring reliable cooling performance even under ambient conditions up to +30 °C. The unit adheres to fundamental design principles aligned with ISO 13485-informed manufacturing practices and supports operational traceability requirements common in regulated environments.

Key Features

• Mirror-finish 304 stainless-steel interior chamber with seamless, semi-circular corner geometry—minimizing contamination traps and facilitating rapid decontamination between experiments.
• Microprocessor-based PID temperature controller with real-time digital display and programmable setpoint retention; maintains stability via adaptive fan-speed modulation to prevent sample desiccation during extended incubation cycles.
• Independent overtemperature cut-off circuit (optional) provides hardware-level safety redundancy, interrupting power to heating elements if user-defined thresholds are exceeded—critical for unattended overnight operation.
• Adjustable stainless-steel shelving system allows vertical repositioning of up to three standard load-bearing trays (included), accommodating variable vessel heights including stacked petri dishes, flasks, and multi-well plates.
• Energy-efficient R134a compressor paired with high-density polyurethane insulation (≥80 mm thickness) delivers low power consumption (2100 W nominal) without compromising thermal recovery time or uniformity.
• RS485 serial interface (standard) enables integration into centralized lab monitoring networks; optional thermal printer module supports on-device hardcopy logging of temperature profiles per GLP documentation standards.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The LRH-500F accommodates diverse biological sample formats—including agar plates, liquid cultures in Erlenmeyer flasks, tissue culture vessels, and environmental water samples—within its 500 L working volume. Its forced-air circulation ensures minimal thermal stratification, validated at ±2.5 °C uniformity at 25 °C (per ASTM E145-22 Annex A4 methodology). While not certified to IEC 61010-1 or UL 61010B as a standalone medical device, the incubator conforms to general laboratory equipment safety guidelines applicable to non-in-vitro diagnostic use. It supports routine calibration verification using NIST-traceable PT100 probes and is routinely deployed in facilities operating under ISO/IEC 17025-accredited quality systems for environmental and microbiological testing.

Software & Data Management

Data integrity is supported through dual-path recording: internal memory stores timestamped temperature readings at user-configurable intervals (1–60 min), while the RS485 interface permits bidirectional communication with third-party SCADA or LIMS platforms via Modbus RTU protocol. When paired with optional thermal printer hardware, the system generates audit-ready paper logs compliant with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 basic record-keeping expectations—though electronic signature functionality requires external validation. All firmware updates are delivered via USB interface, preserving configuration integrity across revisions. No cloud connectivity or proprietary software installation is required for core operation.

Applications

• Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD₅) analysis per APHA Standard Methods 5210B and ISO 5815-1.
• Cultivation and maintenance of mesophilic bacteria (e.g., E. coli, Salmonella), yeasts, and filamentous fungi under standardized incubation protocols.
• Plant physiology studies involving seed germination kinetics, callus induction, and photoperiod-independent growth trials.
• Stability testing of pharmaceutical excipients and diagnostic reagents under accelerated thermal stress conditions.
• Environmental monitoring labs performing coliform enumeration, algal growth assays, and aquatic toxicity screening.

FAQ

Does the LRH-500F support humidity control?
No. This model is a dry-air biochemical incubator and does not include humidification or dehumidification subsystems.
What is the maximum ambient temperature for safe continuous operation?
The unit is rated for uninterrupted use at ambient temperatures between +5 °C and +30 °C. Operation above +30 °C may impair cooling capacity and increase temperature fluctuation beyond specification.
Can the incubator be calibrated in-house?
Yes—users may perform field calibration using a NIST-traceable reference thermometer and the built-in offset adjustment function, following procedures outlined in the technical manual (Section 4.2.3).
Is the RS485 interface compatible with LabVIEW or Python-based acquisition scripts?
Yes. The Modbus RTU implementation is fully documented in the communication protocol appendix and has been verified with open-source Modbus libraries (e.g., pymodbus) and National Instruments DAQmx drivers.
Are spare shelves and door gaskets available as consumables?
Yes. Stainless-steel shelves (part no. LRH-SH500), silicone door seals (LRH-GSK500), and fan assemblies (LRH-FAN500) are stocked globally through authorized Yiheng distribution partners.