OK Instruments OK-TH-150.00 Temperature and Humidity Controlled Environmental Test Chamber

Overview

The OK Instruments OK-TH-150.00 is a benchtop temperature and humidity controlled environmental test chamber engineered for precision stability, repeatability, and long-term operational reliability in materials qualification, electronics validation, and accelerated aging studies. It operates on a dual-loop PID-controlled air-circulation system with independent refrigeration and humidification subsystems, enabling simultaneous and stable control of temperature and relative humidity across its full operational envelope. The chamber conforms to fundamental requirements of IEC 60068-2-1 (cold), IEC 60068-2-2 (dry heat), IEC 60068-2-30 (damp heat cyclic), and ASTM D4332 for conditioning of plastic, rubber, and electronic components prior to mechanical or electrical testing. Its design targets compliance-ready operation in R&D labs and QC environments where traceable environmental exposure—particularly the widely adopted “85 °C / 85 %RH” stress condition—is required for reliability assessment of PCB assemblies, conformal coatings, adhesives, and packaging materials.

Key Features

• Microprocessor-based 7-inch full-color touchscreen controller with intuitive English/Chinese bilingual interface and real-time graphical trend display
• Double-layer high-tensile silicone rubber door gasket ensures hermetic sealing and minimizes thermal leakage during extended low-temperature operation
• Internally and externally constructed from SUS#304 stainless steel for corrosion resistance, cleanability, and structural rigidity under thermal cycling
• Multi-layer vacuum-insulated observation window with integrated conductive film heating to prevent condensation and maintain optical clarity during high-humidity tests
• Air-cooled, fully sealed scroll-type compressor with overheat, overpressure, and phase-failure protection circuits
• Dedicated 50 mm-diameter test port (left-side mounted) with silicone grommet for external signal/power feedthrough without compromising chamber integrity
• Two-tier adjustable stainless-steel shelving included; all internal fixtures designed for load distribution up to 15 kg per shelf
• Integrated safety monitoring: real-time fault logging, automatic power cutoff upon sensor failure, door-open alarm, and over-temperature/humidity shutdown

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The OK-TH-150.00 accommodates a broad range of sample geometries and material classes—including printed circuit boards, polymer films, lithium-ion battery cells, medical device housings, and pharmaceutical blister packs—within its 150 L internal volume (500 × 600 × 500 mm). Chamber airflow is optimized to ensure uniform thermal and hygric distribution, validated per ISO 16750-4 Annex A and JEDEC JESD22-A101 for automotive-grade environmental stress screening. All control algorithms and sensor calibrations are traceable to NIST-traceable reference standards. While not certified to UL or CE as a standalone safety appliance, the unit meets essential EMC and low-voltage directive requirements when installed per manufacturer-specified grounding and ventilation protocols. Optional calibration certificates (±0.5 °C / ±2.5 %RH at 25 °C / 60 %RH) are available for GLP/GMP-regulated laboratories requiring documented metrological assurance.

Software & Data Management

The embedded controller supports USB data export (CSV format) of time-stamped temperature and humidity profiles, with configurable sampling intervals from 1 second to 60 minutes. An optional Ethernet-enabled remote monitoring module enables integration into LabVIEW, MATLAB, or enterprise MES systems via Modbus TCP or HTTP API. Audit trail functionality records operator login events, setpoint changes, and alarm activations—supporting basic FDA 21 CFR Part 11 compliance when paired with user-defined access controls and electronic signature workflows. No cloud storage or proprietary SaaS platform is involved; all data remains resident on-device or exported locally per IT security policy.

Applications

• Accelerated moisture absorption testing of epoxy mold compounds and encapsulants per MIL-STD-883 Method 1008
• High-temperature/high-humidity preconditioning of surface-mount components prior to solder reflow simulation
• Stability assessment of hygroscopic pharmaceutical excipients under ICH Q1A(R3) long-term and accelerated storage conditions
• Corrosion susceptibility evaluation of zinc-plated fasteners per ASTM B117 (salt spray correlation)
• Validation of humidity barrier performance in flexible OLED packaging substrates
• Thermal cycling endurance testing of automotive sensors operating in under-hood environments

FAQ

What does “Dual 85” refer to in this chamber’s designation?
“Dual 85” denotes the industry-standard accelerated stress condition of 85 °C and 85 %RH, commonly used to evaluate moisture-induced degradation mechanisms in electronics and polymeric materials.
Is the chamber suitable for continuous operation at -40 °C and 98 %RH simultaneously?
No. The specified humidity range (20–98 %RH) is guaranteed only within the temperature band of +10 °C to +85 °C. At sub-zero temperatures, condensation physics limits practical RH generation; operation below 0 °C is intended for dry-cold or low-humidity cycling only.
Can the test port accommodate thermocouple wires and coaxial cables simultaneously?
Yes—the 50 mm port accepts bundled wiring up to Ø45 mm; users are advised to apply dielectric sealant around penetrations to maintain chamber integrity during extended humidity exposure.
Does the unit include factory calibration documentation?
Standard shipment includes a verification report confirming chamber performance against nominal setpoints at three points (25 °C/50 %RH, 60 °C/95 %RH, -20 °C/dry); NIST-traceable calibration certificates are available as an add-on service.
What maintenance intervals are recommended for optimal long-term accuracy?
Compressor oil and refrigerant levels should be verified annually; humidity sensor replacement is recommended every 24 months in high-RH usage environments; stainless-steel interior surfaces require weekly wipe-down with deionized water to prevent mineral deposit buildup.