DRETOP ZSH.CP-300 Multi-Function CO₂ Incubator

Overview

The DRETOP ZSH.CP-300 Multi-Function CO₂ Incubator is an air-jacketed, microprocessor-controlled incubation system engineered for precision cell culture under controlled CO₂ and temperature environments. Designed for laboratories requiring flexibility across multiple experimental modalities, the ZSH.CP-300 integrates core CO₂ incubation functionality with optional modular enhancements—such as programmable light cycles (GC series) or diurnal temperature/light simulation (RQ series)—enabling adaptation to applications ranging from mammalian monolayer culture to photobiological assays. Its measurement architecture relies on a non-dispersive infrared (NDIR) CO₂ sensor, which delivers stable, humidity- and temperature-insensitive gas concentration monitoring—a critical advantage in high-traffic lab settings where frequent door openings would otherwise compromise control fidelity. The unit operates within a validated thermal range of 0–65 °C using independent nickel-chromium heating elements and a robust, multi-stage refrigeration system featuring imported scroll compressors, ceramic fiber insulation, and automated defrost logic. With a 300 L stainless-steel chamber (mirror-finish, radius-cornered), it supports ISO 13485-aligned cleanroom practices and complies with general safety requirements per IEC 61010-1 for laboratory equipment.

Key Features

• Air-jacketed thermal design with ceramic fiber insulation ensures superior thermal stability and energy efficiency, minimizing external heat transfer and supporting continuous operation for ≥360 hours.
• Infrared CO₂ sensing technology provides real-time, drift-free gas concentration feedback; recovery to 5% CO₂ setpoint occurs in under 3 minutes following a 30-second door opening event.
• Microprocessor-based P.I.D. temperature controller offers ±0.5 °C uniformity (typical), 0.1 °C resolution, and programmable ramp-soak profiles across up to 99 cycles (30 segments per cycle).
• Double-door structure with tempered glass inner door and magnetic nanocomposite gasket minimizes condensation via dedicated door-heating circuitry—reducing microbial ingress risk.
• Integrated HEPA-grade inlet filtration (≥0.3 µm, 99.998% efficiency) combined with optional ozone-free UV lamp ensures continuous air and reservoir water sterilization.
• Modular chassis accommodates field-installed options including side access ports (25–100 mm diameter), embedded thermal printers, RS485/USB data logging interfaces, and LED light arrays (red/blue spectra, non-thermal emission).
• Stainless-steel interior with removable, adjustable shelving and anti-tilt drawer guides prevents media spillage during partial shelf extraction.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The ZSH.CP-300 is validated for use with standard T-flasks, Petri dishes, multi-well plates, roller bottles, and bioreactor vessels up to 500 mL volume. Its uncontrolled-humidity configuration aligns with applications where ambient RH suffices (e.g., short-term passaging, CO₂-dependent pH buffering in bicarbonate-buffered media). While not certified to ISO 14644-1 Class 5 or FDA 21 CFR Part 11 out-of-the-box, its architecture supports GLP/GMP workflows through audit-trail-capable data logging (when equipped with RS485/USB module), parameter memory retention during power interruption, and dual independent temperature limit safeguards. It meets CE marking requirements under Directive 2014/30/EU (EMC) and 2014/35/EU (LVD), and conforms to ASTM E1247–22 for performance verification of CO₂ incubators.

Software & Data Management

The incubator features a color touchscreen interface (DCP-series variant) or alphanumeric LCD (ZSH-series), supporting intuitive navigation, multi-user password protection, and event-driven logging of temperature, CO₂, door status, and alarm triggers. When configured with optional communication modules, it exports timestamped CSV files via USB or streams real-time parameters to SCADA systems over RS485 (Modbus RTU protocol). All firmware versions maintain backward-compatible configuration templates and support remote calibration offset adjustments—critical for maintaining traceability under ISO/IEC 17025 quality systems. Data integrity is reinforced by non-volatile memory storage and automatic checksum validation upon boot.

Applications

• Mammalian cell line maintenance (HEK293, CHO, HeLa) under 5% CO₂/37 °C conditions.
• Stem cell expansion protocols requiring stable thermal-CO₂ coupling and minimized contamination risk.
• Photoperiodic studies in plant tissue culture or circadian rhythm research (with GC-series lighting add-on).
• Hybrid assay platforms combining CO₂-dependent enzymatic reactions with light-triggered activation (e.g., optogenetics pre-culture).
• QC/QA environments performing routine sterility testing per USP , where HEPA-filtered airflow and UV decontamination reduce false-positive rates.

FAQ

Does the ZSH.CP-300 include active humidity control?
No—this model is configured without humidification capability. For humidity-regulated operation, specify the DCP-300SH variant.
What is the maximum allowable ambient temperature for continuous operation?
The unit is rated for ambient conditions between RT+5 °C and 30 °C; operation outside this range may impair CO₂ sensor accuracy and compressor longevity.
Can the infrared CO₂ sensor be recalibrated in-house?
Yes—field calibration is supported using certified zero-air and span-gas standards (e.g., 5% CO₂ in N₂), following the procedure outlined in Section 4.2 of the operator manual.
Is the UV lamp ozone-free and safe for use with plastic consumables?
Yes—the integrated low-pressure mercury lamp emits exclusively at 254 nm and contains no ozone-generating 185 nm component, making it compatible with polystyrene and polypropylene labware.
What regulatory documentation is provided with shipment?
Each unit ships with Declaration of Conformity (CE), Factory Calibration Report, Electrical Safety Test Record, and full English-language technical manual compliant with IEC 62366-1 usability engineering requirements.