OK Instruments OK-TH-1000 Programmable Temperature and Humidity Controlled Chamber

Overview

The OK Instruments OK-TH-1000 is a benchtop programmable temperature and humidity controlled chamber engineered for precision environmental simulation in laboratory and quality assurance settings. It operates on a balanced heating–cooling–humidification control principle, utilizing PID-regulated solid-state relays (SSRs) to dynamically match thermal and moisture input with chamber losses. Temperature and humidity are continuously monitored via dual-sensor dry/wet bulb configuration, digitized through high-resolution A/D conversion, and fed into an embedded CPU controller. This architecture enables stable setpoint maintenance as well as complex multi-step profiles—such as ramp-hold cycles, stepwise transitions, and repeatable sequences—required for accelerated aging, thermal cycling, and hygrothermal stress testing per international standards including IEC 60068-2-1, IEC 60068-2-2, IEC 60068-2-30, and MIL-STD-810H.

Key Features

• Robust chamber construction: Exterior finished in powder-coated cold-rolled steel; interior lined with SUS#304 stainless steel for corrosion resistance and ease of decontamination.
• High-efficiency insulation: 100 mm thick imported fire-retardant polyurethane (PU) foam with closed-cell structure minimizes thermal bridging and ensures long-term stability under sustained high-humidity operation.
• Triple-layer vacuum-insulated observation window with integrated LED lighting prevents condensation and enables unobstructed visual monitoring without thermal leakage.
• Intelligent air distribution system: Forward-curved centrifugal blower with adjustable airflow direction ensures uniform temperature and humidity distribution across the full 1 m³ workspace (1000 × 1000 × 1000 mm).
• Redundant safety architecture: Includes independent overtemperature cutoff, low-water-level detection for steam generator, compressor high-pressure/overheat protection, and phase-failure monitoring.
• Programmable logic controller (PLC)-grade interface: True-color 7-inch TFT touchscreen with intuitive Chinese/English bilingual menu navigation, supporting up to 100 stored programs with 100 steps each and inter-program linking capability.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The OK-TH-1000 accommodates a broad range of sample types—including printed circuit boards (PCBs), polymer composites, pharmaceutical packaging, lithium-ion battery cells, optical lenses, and sterile medical device components—without risk of cross-contamination or material degradation. Its stainless-steel interior and sealed water reservoir support GLP-compliant operation when paired with documented calibration procedures. The chamber meets structural and performance requirements outlined in ISO 17025-accredited environmental testing laboratories and supports audit-ready data integrity when configured with time-stamped logging. Optional validation packages (IQ/OQ/PQ) are available to demonstrate compliance with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 for electronic records and signatures in regulated life science environments.

Software & Data Management

The integrated controller supports real-time graphical display of temperature and humidity curves, with automatic timestamped storage of all operational parameters (setpoints, actual values, alarm events, SSR duty cycles) to internal flash memory (≥12 months at 1-min intervals). Data export is enabled via USB 2.0, RS485 (Modbus RTU protocol), and standard Ethernet (TCP/IP), allowing seamless integration with LIMS, MES, or SCADA platforms. Optional PC-based software provides advanced analysis tools—including deviation mapping, statistical process control (SPC) charting, and PDF report generation with digital signature fields—fully traceable to NIST-traceable reference sensors calibrated annually.

Applications

This chamber serves critical roles in product development and conformance verification across multiple regulated and industrial sectors. In electronics manufacturing, it performs solderability testing, conformal coating adhesion assessment, and thermal shock preconditioning prior to HALT. Automotive suppliers use it for climate-induced stress screening of ADAS sensors and infotainment modules under DIN 70121-relevant profiles. Pharmaceutical firms apply it for stability studies of primary packaging per ICH Q1A(R3), while aerospace component vendors conduct outgassing pre-conditioning per ECSS-Q-ST-70-02C. Additional use cases include photovoltaic module damp heat testing (IEC 61215-2 MQT10), rubber vulcanization optimization, and biodegradable polymer hydrolysis kinetics analysis.

FAQ

What type of water is required for the steam humidification system?
Deionized water, RO-purified water, or distilled water must be used to prevent scale buildup in the stainless-steel steam generator and ensure long-term reliability of the humidity control system.
Can the chamber operate continuously at 98% RH above 85°C?
Yes—the chamber maintains specified humidity uniformity and stability across its full operational envelope, including high-temperature/high-humidity conditions, thanks to its dual-stage refrigeration circuit and PID-tuned steam modulation.
Is remote monitoring supported without proprietary software?
Yes—standard Modbus RTU over RS485 and HTTP-based API access via Ethernet allow integration with third-party SCADA or building management systems without vendor lock-in.
What calibration documentation is provided upon delivery?
Each unit ships with a factory calibration certificate traceable to national metrology institutes, covering temperature (at three points: 60°C, 100°C, 130°C) and humidity (at 60% RH and 90% RH), along with uncertainty budgets per ISO/IEC 17025 Annex A.
How is condensation managed during rapid cooling or dehumidification cycles?
The chamber employs a dedicated hot-gas bypass valve and optimized evaporator fin geometry to suppress condensate accumulation on internal surfaces, minimizing drip risk and ensuring consistent test environment integrity throughout dynamic profiles.