OK Instruments OK-TH-100 Programmable Temperature and Humidity Environmental Test Chamber

Overview

The OK Instruments OK-TH-100 is a precision-engineered programmable environmental test chamber designed to replicate controlled temperature and humidity conditions for reliability assessment of materials and finished products. It operates on a closed-loop feedback control architecture grounded in thermodynamic equilibrium principles—integrating resistive heating, vapor-phase humidification, refrigerant-based cooling, and forced-air convection to maintain stable, repeatable climatic profiles. Unlike basic incubators or storage chambers, the OK-TH-100 implements multi-segment ramp-soak programming with independent PID tuning for temperature and humidity actuators, enabling simulation of real-world environmental stress sequences such as thermal cycling with concurrent humidity modulation. Its operational envelope—spanning 15–45 °C and 30–98 % RH—is optimized for accelerated aging, shelf-life validation, and pre-compliance screening in electronics, automotive components, pharmaceutical packaging, and polymer-based medical devices.

Key Features

• Upright structural configuration with reinforced stainless-steel inner chamber and powder-coated cold-rolled steel exterior; ergonomic arc-shaped design with non-slip textured finish and dual-seal airtight door gasket to minimize thermal leakage.
• Double-layer tempered glass observation window with embedded anti-fogging heater and high-luminance PL fluorescent lighting for unobstructed visual monitoring under condensing conditions.
• Modular interior with vertically adjustable stainless-steel shelves and a centrally located 50 mm diameter test port for external signal/power feedthrough, supporting in-situ electrical or sensor-based performance evaluation.
• Integrated external water supply interface with automatic condensate recovery circuitry—reducing manual refilling frequency and minimizing operational downtime during extended test cycles.
• LCD touchscreen controller featuring real-time dual-channel display (measured vs. setpoint), time-stamped event logging, and up to 99 programmable segments with ramp/soak capability for complex environmental profiles.
• Comprehensive safety architecture including compressor overcurrent and high-pressure cutouts, dry-run protection for heaters and humidifiers, chamber overtemperature lockout, and low-water-level alarm with auto-shutdown logic.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The OK-TH-100 accommodates samples up to 40 L volume (500 × 500 × 400 mm internal dimensions) and supports non-corrosive, non-explosive solid and packaged specimens typical of QC/QA laboratories. It is engineered to meet the physical testing requirements outlined in GB/T 2423.1–2008 (cold testing), GB/T 2423.2–2008 (dry heat), and GB/T 2423.3–2006 (damp heat, steady state), and aligns with the environmental stress methodology referenced in IEC 60068-2 series standards. While not certified for regulatory submission under ISO/IEC 17025 or FDA 21 CFR Part 11 out-of-the-box, its hardware architecture—including traceable PT100 temperature sensors and capacitive RH transducers calibrated per NIST-traceable protocols—supports qualification (IQ/OQ/PQ) and audit readiness when deployed within GLP- or GMP-aligned laboratory environments.

Software & Data Management

The embedded controller records timestamped temperature and humidity values at user-defined intervals (1–600 seconds), storing up to 1,000 hours of data internally. Export is supported via USB flash drive in CSV format for post-processing in Excel, MATLAB, or LIMS platforms. Optional RS485/Modbus RTU communication enables integration into centralized facility monitoring systems. Though no proprietary cloud platform is included, raw log files comply with ALCOA+ data integrity principles—ensuring attributable, legible, contemporaneous, original, accurate, complete, consistent, enduring, and available records suitable for internal quality review and preliminary regulatory documentation.

Applications

• Electronics: Thermal-humidity bias testing of PCBAs, connectors, and conformal coatings per JEDEC JESD22-A101.
• Automotive: Validation of interior trim adhesion, sealant curing behavior, and sensor housing dimensional stability under cyclic humidity exposure.
• Pharmaceuticals: Stability testing of primary packaging (blister cards, HDPE bottles) under ICH Q1A(R3)-aligned intermediate storage conditions.
• Polymers & Composites: Hygrothermal aging studies assessing moisture diffusion coefficients, Tg shifts, and mechanical property degradation.
• Quality Assurance Labs: In-house verification of incoming material specifications against supplier environmental tolerance claims.

FAQ

What is the maximum allowable sample mass inside the OK-TH-100 chamber?

The chamber has no specified mass limit; however, thermal load must remain within ±15% of nominal capacity to preserve stated uniformity and stability. For optimal performance, total sample volume should not exceed 40% of internal chamber volume.
Can the OK-TH-100 perform rapid temperature transitions?

No—it is optimized for steady-state and moderate-rate profiling (1.0–3.0 °C/min). For thermal shock or high-speed ramping (≥5 °C/min), consider OK Instruments’ THS-series dual-chamber systems.
Is third-party calibration support available?

Yes. OK Instruments provides factory calibration certificates traceable to CNAS-accredited labs. On-site calibration services and annual recalibration packages are available upon request.
Does the unit comply with UL or CE safety directives?

The OK-TH-100 meets GB 4793.1–2007 (equivalent to IEC 61010-1) for laboratory equipment safety. CE marking is not applied; users requiring EU market access must engage a Notified Body for conformity assessment under the Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC.
How often does the humidifier tank require maintenance?

With continuous operation at 85% RH, the 4.5 L stainless-steel humidifier reservoir requires refilling every 48–72 hours. Automatic drain and descaling cycles are programmable to extend service intervals.