LabCompanion RC-120 Environmental Test Chamber for Temperature Cycling
| Brand | LabCompanion |
|---|---|
| Model | RC-120 |
| Internal Chamber Dimensions | 500 × 600 × 400 mm (W×H×D) |
| Temperature Range | −70 °C to +150 °C |
| Temperature Uniformity | ±2 °C |
| Temperature Fluctuation | ±0.5 °C |
| Temperature Deviation | ±2 °C |
| Cooling Rate | 1.0–1.2 °C/min |
| Power Consumption | 3 kW |
| Supply Voltage | AC 380 V, 50 Hz |
| Construction | Stainless Steel Interior, Powder-Coated Cold-Rolled Steel Exterior |
| Safety Protections | Over-Temperature, Over-Pressure, and Phase-Failure Monitoring |
Overview
The LabCompanion RC-120 Environmental Test Chamber is an engineered solution for precise, repeatable temperature cycling across demanding industrial and research applications. Designed in accordance with the fundamental principles of convective thermal control and forced-air circulation, the chamber utilizes a dual-stage cascade refrigeration system paired with PID-controlled electric heating elements to achieve stable, programmable thermal profiles. Its operational envelope spans from −70 °C to +150 °C, supporting standardized thermal stress protocols including IEC 60068-2-1 (cold), IEC 60068-2-2 (dry heat), and IEC 60068-2-14 (change of temperature). The RC-120 is not a general-purpose storage unit but a calibrated test environment intended for evaluating material behavior—such as dimensional stability, seal integrity, solder joint reliability, and polymer crystallinity—under controlled, time-varying thermal loads.
Key Features
- Robust dual-stage refrigeration architecture enabling reliable operation at −70 °C without liquid nitrogen assistance
- PID-based digital temperature controller with real-time setpoint ramp/soak programming and up to 99 cycles per test sequence
- Forced-air convection system with adjustable fan speed and symmetric airflow distribution to maintain ±2 °C uniformity across the 500 × 600 × 400 mm working volume
- Stainless steel interior chamber (SUS304) and corrosion-resistant cold-rolled steel exterior with epoxy powder coating
- Integrated safety interlocks: independent over-temperature cut-off, high-pressure switch on refrigerant circuit, and three-phase power monitoring with automatic shutdown on phase loss or imbalance
- Front-access observation window with double-layer low-emissivity glass and anti-fog heater for uninterrupted visual monitoring during sub-zero operation
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The RC-120 accommodates a broad range of sample geometries—including printed circuit boards (PCBs), automotive electronic modules, aerospace composites, pharmaceutical packaging, and elastomeric gaskets—within its accessible internal volume. All structural and thermal performance specifications comply with ISO 16750-4 (road vehicles), MIL-STD-810H Method 502.7 (low temperature), and Method 503.6 (temperature shock). The chamber’s thermal calibration traceability follows ISO/IEC 17025 requirements when used with accredited external reference sensors. It supports GLP-compliant testing workflows through configurable audit trails, user-level access control, and event logging of all critical parameters (temperature, cycle count, alarm status, and runtime).
Software & Data Management
The RC-120 operates via a built-in 7-inch color touchscreen HMI with intuitive graphical interface for defining multi-step thermal profiles, viewing live trend curves, and exporting timestamped CSV data logs via USB. Optional PC-based software (LabCompanion EnviroLink v3.2) enables remote monitoring, automated report generation (PDF/Excel), and integration into centralized LIMS or MES platforms via Modbus TCP or OPC UA. Data integrity safeguards include password-protected parameter modification, electronic signatures for test initiation, and tamper-evident log files compliant with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 Annex 11 requirements for regulated environments.
Applications
- Accelerated aging studies of lithium-ion battery cells under extreme thermal cycling to assess capacity fade and internal resistance growth
- Qualification testing of avionics enclosures per DO-160 Section 4 (temperature variation) and Section 5 (temperature shock)
- Validation of medical device sterilization packaging integrity following ISO 11607-2 accelerated aging protocols
- Thermal fatigue evaluation of MEMS sensors and optoelectronic assemblies using programmable dwell-ramp-dwell sequences
- Material coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) characterization via synchronized dimensional metrology (e.g., laser interferometry or digital image correlation) inside the chamber
FAQ
What is the minimum achievable temperature with the RC-120, and how long does it take to reach −40 °C from ambient?
The RC-120 achieves a guaranteed minimum operating temperature of −70 °C. From 25 °C ambient, it reaches −40 °C in approximately 42 minutes under no-load conditions, consistent with its specified cooling rate of 1.0–1.2 °C/min.
Does the chamber support humidity control?
No—the RC-120 is a temperature-only cycling chamber. For combined temperature/humidity testing, refer to the LabCompanion TH-120 series environmental chambers.
Can third-party temperature sensors be integrated for independent validation?
Yes—two dedicated 4–20 mA analog inputs and four thermocouple terminals (Type K) are provided for external sensor interfacing and cross-verification against the internal control sensor.
Is the chamber suitable for use in cleanroom environments?
The RC-120 meets ISO Class 8 (100,000) particulate cleanliness when operated with optional HEPA-filtered air purge kits; however, standard configuration is rated for non-classified laboratory or industrial settings.
What documentation is supplied for IQ/OQ qualification?
A comprehensive Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) report, calibration certificate (NIST-traceable), and IQ/OQ protocol templates aligned with ASTM E2500 and GAMP5 guidelines are included with each unit.
