DRETOP ZHS-100SC Temperature and Humidity Controlled Incubator

Overview

The DRETOP ZHS-100SC Temperature and Humidity Controlled Incubator is an engineered environmental simulation system designed for precise, long-term maintenance of biological, pharmaceutical, and material samples under tightly regulated thermal and hygroscopic conditions. Utilizing air-jacketed heating and a sealed compressor-based refrigeration circuit, the unit achieves stable dual-parameter control via integrated PID algorithms governing both temperature and relative humidity (RH). Its operational envelope—10–45 °C without humidification and 15–45 °C with active RH control (50–95 %RH)—aligns with international stability testing protocols including ICH Q1A(R2), USP , and ISO 17025-accredited laboratory workflows. The 100 L stainless-steel chamber supports reproducible incubation for microbiological culture, accelerated aging studies, excipient compatibility screening, and textile or polymer conditioning where ambient moisture interaction must be quantitatively constrained.

Key Features

• Air-jacketed heating system with NiCr alloy heaters ensures rapid thermal response and minimal internal gradient formation; combined with rear-mounted axial-flow fans and optimized baffle-guided airflow, it delivers ±1 °C temperature uniformity across the full working volume.
• Compressor-driven cooling module employs R134a-free refrigerant (R600a or equivalent), compliant with EU F-Gas Regulation (EU) No 517/2014 and EPA SNAP criteria, enabling continuous operation at sub-ambient dew points without condensation risk inside the chamber.
• External detachable water reservoir minimizes contamination pathways and simplifies routine maintenance—no internal wetting of electronics or sensor housings during refilling or cleaning cycles.
• 30-segment programmable controller allows multi-step environmental profiles (e.g., ramp-hold-dwell sequences) with independent time/temperature/RH setpoints per segment; all programs support auto-restart after power interruption with non-volatile memory retention.
• Double-door observation window: inner tempered glass pane with anti-fog coating and outer magnetic door seal provide >92 % thermal insulation efficiency (tested per ASTM C177), reducing energy consumption while preserving viewing clarity during extended experiments.
• Stainless-steel interior (AISI 304), fully welded corners, and tool-free adjustable shelves facilitate ISO 14644-compliant cleaning validation and autoclave-compatible decontamination procedures.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The ZHS-100SC accommodates standard Petri dishes (up to 150 mm), multi-well plates (6–96-well), Erlenmeyer flasks (≤1 L), and sealed vials in upright or tilted configurations. Its chamber geometry and airflow design prevent localized desiccation or condensation on sample surfaces—a critical factor in cell monolayer integrity and hygroscopic drug substance stability. The system meets mechanical safety requirements per IEC 61010-1:2010 and carries CE marking for EMC (EN 61326-1) and Low Voltage Directive (2014/35/EU). While not FDA 21 CFR Part 11–certified out-of-box, its RS485 interface enables integration with validated LIMS or ELN platforms supporting audit-trail generation, electronic signatures, and change control—prerequisites for GLP/GMP-regulated environments.

Software & Data Management

The incubator operates via a 4.3-inch capacitive touchscreen HMI running embedded Linux firmware. All operational parameters—including real-time temperature/RH traces, alarm logs, program execution status, and compressor duty cycle—are timestamped and stored locally (≥30 days at 1-minute intervals). Optional RS485 Modbus RTU output permits bidirectional communication with SCADA systems or centralized monitoring servers. Data export is supported via USB flash drive in CSV format, compatible with JMP, Minitab, and Python-based statistical process control (SPC) pipelines. Firmware updates are performed offline using signed .bin files to maintain configuration integrity and prevent unauthorized modification.

Applications

• Pharmaceutical stability testing per ICH guidelines (long-term, intermediate, and accelerated conditions)
• Microbial growth kinetics and antimicrobial susceptibility assays under controlled hydration states
• Polymer film drying behavior and moisture vapor transmission rate (MVTR) preconditioning
• Seed germination trials requiring synchronized thermo-hygrometric inputs
• Textile shrinkage and colorfastness evaluation under standardized atmospheric exposure
• Calibration verification of portable hygrometers and thermistors against NIST-traceable references

FAQ

What is the maximum allowable ambient room temperature for reliable operation?
The unit is rated for installation in rooms maintained at ≤30 °C and ≤70 %RH. Operation above these limits may reduce compressor efficiency and extend recovery time after door openings.
Can the external water tank be replaced with a continuous-feed humidification system?
No—the ZHS-100SC architecture does not support plumbed-in water supply. Retrofitting would void certification and compromise IP20 electrical safety rating.
Is the temperature sensor calibrated traceable to national standards?
Yes—each unit ships with a factory calibration certificate referencing PTB (Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt) or NIM (National Institute of Metrology, China) standards; user recalibration is possible via two-point adjustment using certified reference thermometers.
Does the incubator support remote monitoring via Ethernet or Wi-Fi?
Not natively—only RS485 serial interface is provided. Third-party gateways (e.g., Moxa EDS-G205A) can bridge to TCP/IP networks when deployed within validated IT infrastructure.
What safety protections are built into the refrigeration subsystem?
Compressor safeguards include phase-loss detection, high-pressure cut-off (≥2.8 MPa), low-pressure lockout (<0.05 MPa), and mandatory 3-minute start delay between cycles to prevent liquid slug damage.