MEMMERT HCP153 Precision Climate Chamber

Overview

The MEMMERT HCP153 Precision Climate Chamber is a high-accuracy, microprocessor-controlled environmental test chamber engineered for reproducible simulation of temperature and relative humidity (RH) conditions in research laboratories, pharmaceutical stability testing, material aging studies, and quality assurance environments. Based on MEMMERT’s proprietary sterile air circulation architecture—compliant with DIN 12880—this chamber employs laminar, non-turbulent airflow generated by a fully enclosed, self-contained ventilation system. Temperature control is realized via dual Pt100 Class A sensors in a 4-wire configuration, enabling continuous real-time monitoring and automatic fault diagnosis. Humidity regulation leverages a sterilizable capacitive RH sensor, coupled with steam humidification (via distilled water reservoir and integrated heater) and condensation-based dehumidification through a bacterially filtered exhaust path. The chamber achieves temperature uniformity ≤ ±0.3 °C at 50 °C (DIN 12880), with temporal stability ≤ ±0.1 °C, and maintains RH accuracy across 20–95% range with rapid recovery post-door opening.

Key Features

• Triple-layer thermal safety architecture: mechanical temperature limiter (TB), electronically adjustable temperature watchdog (TWW), and MEMMERT’s Automatic Safety Function (ASF), ensuring fail-safe operation via redundant platinum sensor cross-validation.
• Fuzzy logic PID control algorithm for simultaneous, decoupled regulation of temperature and humidity—minimizing overshoot and optimizing setpoint attainment time.
• Integrated audible and visual alarm system covering overtemperature, undertemperature, overhumidity, underhumidity, door-open duration exceedance, and empty water reservoir detection.
• Front-panel calibration capability: 3-point temperature calibration and 2-point (20%/90% RH) humidity calibration—no external PC required.
• Electropolished stainless-steel interior (deep-drawn, mirror-finished) and corrosion-resistant exterior (stainless steel front, galvanized steel rear) for long-term chemical and microbial resistance.
• STERICard-enabled dry-heat sterilization cycle at 160 °C for 4 hours—validated per ISO 14644-1 cleanroom requirements; chamber itself—not load—is sterilized.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The HCP153 accommodates samples up to 153 L volume within its 480 × 640 × 500 mm (W × H × D) internal chamber. Its 7-position stainless-steel sliding shelves (standard: 2 included; optional E7/E8 metal grid racks available for enhanced airflow distribution) support heterogeneous sample configurations—including petri dishes, vials, polymer films, and electronic components—without compromising environmental homogeneity. The chamber complies with key regulatory frameworks for GxP environments: it supports 21 CFR Part 11-compliant data integrity when paired with the optional FDA-validated Celsius software package; meets GLP/GMP audit requirements via built-in electronic audit trail, timestamped event logging, and tamper-evident memory storage. All electrical and thermal safety design adheres to IEC 61010-1 and EN 61326-1 standards.

Software & Data Management

Standard inclusion of Celsius 2005 software enables remote parameter programming, real-time monitoring, and export of CSV/Excel-compatible log files. Optional FDA-certified Celsius software extends functionality to electronic signatures, user access levels (with MEMMERTCard XL or RFID ID card authentication), and full ALCOA+ compliant data handling—including raw data retention, metadata embedding, and version-controlled protocol archiving. Internal ring-buffer memory (1024 KB) stores temperature, RH, alarms, and setpoints at user-defined intervals (default: 1-minute resolution), supporting ~3 months of continuous recording. RS232 interface (RS485 optional, no cost) facilitates integration into lab-wide SCADA systems; parallel printer port supports PCL3-compatible inkjet printers for hard-copy traceability—USB conversion kits available separately.

Applications

• ICH Q1A–Q1E stability testing of pharmaceuticals under defined temperature/humidity stress conditions (e.g., 25 °C/60% RH, 30 °C/65% RH, 40 °C/75% RH).
• Accelerated aging of polymers, adhesives, and packaging materials per ASTM D3045 and ISO 11341.
• Biological incubation requiring precise hygrothermal control—e.g., fungal growth studies, seed germination assays, and cell culture preconditioning.
• Calibration and verification of portable温湿度 meters, data loggers, and environmental sensors against NIST-traceable reference conditions.
• Material compatibility testing for electronics enclosures, automotive components, and aerospace composites under cyclic humidity exposure.

FAQ

Is the MEMMERT HCP153 manufactured in Germany?
Yes—the HCP153 is designed, engineered, and assembled at MEMMERT’s headquarters in Schwabach, Germany, and shipped as a CE-marked Class I medical device-equivalent instrument.
Does the chamber support validation documentation for regulated labs?
Yes—factory-issued calibration certificate (at 60 °C center-point), IQ/OQ documentation templates, and 21 CFR Part 11-ready software options are available upon request.
Can temperature and humidity be programmed independently across multiple time segments?
Yes—the controller supports up to 40 programmable steps (with start/stop times, ramp rates, and hold durations); MEMMERTCard XL enables offline programming, while Celsius software permits unlimited step sequences.
What is the maximum allowable door-open time before alarm activation?
The system triggers an audible alarm after 60 seconds of continuous door opening, configurable via service menu.
Are additional Pt100 sensors supported for localized measurement?
Yes—up to three optional external Pt100 probes (order code H8x) can be installed for spatial mapping; readings appear on display and are logged alongside chamber data.