Aralab FitoClima PLH Series Plant Growth Chamber

Overview

The Aralab FitoClima PLH Series Plant Growth Chambers are precision-engineered environmental control systems designed for reproducible, long-term plant physiology studies, photobiology research, and controlled-environment agriculture (CEA) applications. Based on active dual-duct air distribution and independent PID-controlled refrigeration/heating circuits, these chambers maintain tightly regulated temperature, relative humidity, and spectral light conditions across the entire working volume. The system employs a forced-air convection architecture with laminar airflow management, ensuring minimal thermal stratification and uniform photon flux delivery—critical for experiments involving Arabidopsis thaliana, tissue culture propagation, seed germination assays, algal photobioreactors, and entomological rearing protocols. All models comply with IEC/EN 60068-3-5 environmental testing standards for stability and gradient performance under dynamic load conditions.

Key Features

• High-resolution climate control: ±0.1°C temperature setpoint resolution and ±0.1% RH humidity resolution, supported by dual-sensor redundancy and real-time drift compensation algorithms
• Dual-mode illumination architecture: Standard horizontal LED arrays (4 layers per shelf) plus optional vertical side-wall lighting modules (PLH-V variants), enabling customizable photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) profiles from 0–300 µmol/m²·s
• Modular spectral flexibility: Interchangeable LED modules available in blue (450 nm), green (525 nm), red (660 nm), and far-red (730 nm) wavelengths—configurable per shelf or zone to support photomorphogenesis and circadian rhythm studies
• Advanced airflow management: Variable-speed centrifugal fans with 1% incremental adjustment, integrated fresh-air inlet with particulate filtration (ISO Class 8 compliant), and pressure-balanced chamber design to prevent cross-contamination
• Robust thermal insulation: Triple-layer vacuum-insulated panels (VIPs) with polyurethane core meeting EN 14509-CPR fire classification requirements, minimizing energy consumption while maximizing thermal inertia
• Comprehensive safety architecture: Over-temperature cutoff, refrigerant leak detection, door-open alarms, and automatic defrost cycle management aligned with MD 2006/42/CE and LVD 2006/95/CE directives

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

FitoClima PLH chambers accommodate diverse biological samples—from micro-scale tissue culture vessels and Petri dishes to full-height growth trays and insect rearing cages—without compromising environmental fidelity. The internal stainless-steel chamber and non-porous epoxy-coated shelving meet ISO 14644-1 cleanroom compatibility requirements for low particulate generation. All models are certified to EN 13823:2010+A1:2014 for fire performance and conform to EC Directive 2001/58/EC regarding refrigerant selection (R-449A, GWP < 1400). For regulated environments, optional audit-ready data logging supports 21 CFR Part 11 compliance through encrypted timestamped records, user-access controls, and electronic signature capability.

Software & Data Management

Chambers operate via the Aralab ClimateControl™ v5.2 embedded controller—a Linux-based platform featuring a 7-inch capacitive touchscreen interface with multi-user role management (Operator, Technician, Administrator). Real-time monitoring includes trend graphs for temperature, humidity, light intensity, and fan speed, exportable as CSV or PDF reports. Optional Ethernet/WiFi connectivity enables remote supervision via Aralab CloudLink™, supporting SNMPv3 integration into enterprise LIMS or building management systems (BMS). Data integrity is ensured through cyclic redundancy checking (CRC-32), automatic backup to SD card (up to 32 GB), and configurable alarm escalation (email/SMS) for out-of-specification events.

Applications

• Plant phenotyping and stress response screening under controlled photoperiods and abiotic stress gradients
• Standardized seed viability testing per ISTA and OECD guidelines
• GMP-compliant stability studies for botanical extracts and phytopharmaceuticals (aligned with ICH Q1–Q5)
• Microalgae cultivation optimization for biofuel and nutraceutical production
• Entomological life-cycle studies requiring precise diurnal temperature/humidity cycling
• Vertical farming R&D including LED spectrum tuning for leafy greens, herbs, and medicinal plants
• University teaching labs supporting undergraduate botany, genetics, and environmental science curricula

FAQ

What regulatory standards does the FitoClima PLH series meet?
It complies with EN 60068-3-5 (environmental testing), EMC 2004/108/EC (electromagnetic compatibility), MD 2006/42/CE (machinery safety), LVD 2006/95/CE (low-voltage directive), and EN 14509-CPR 305/2011/EU (construction product fire classification).
Can humidity be maintained below 40% RH?
No—the standard configuration supports 40–90% RH; sub-40% operation requires optional dehumidification add-ons and desiccant-based subsystems.
Is remote firmware update supported?
Yes—via secure HTTPS-based OTA (over-the-air) updates through ClimateControl™ v5.2, with version rollback capability and SHA-256 signature verification.
What is the maximum allowable load for continuous operation?
Rated for ≤80% of nominal internal volume occupied by heat-generating equipment or water-filled containers; thermal load must not exceed 150 W/m³ to preserve specified uniformity.
Are third-party calibration certificates available?
Yes—NIST-traceable calibration reports (temperature, humidity, light) issued by Aralab-accredited metrology labs, valid for 12 months and aligned with ISO/IEC 17025:2017 requirements.