OK STW-12.00 Walk-in Temperature & Humidity Environmental Test Chamber

Overview

The OK STW-12.00 is a fully engineered walk-in temperature and humidity environmental test chamber designed for system-level reliability validation under controlled climatic conditions. Unlike benchtop or upright chambers, this unit functions as a climate-controlled room—featuring an internal working volume of 12.00 m³ (3000 × 2000 × 2000 mm)—enabling direct human access for instrumentation, cabling, real-time monitoring, and reconfiguration of large-scale test articles. Its core operational principle relies on precision-coupled thermal management: a cascade refrigeration system (comprising high-temperature and low-temperature stage compressors) delivers stable cooling down to −70°C, while high-power resistive heaters ensure linear heating rates from 1.0 to 4.0°C/min. Integrated humidity control—achieved via steam generator and dehumidification coil—is available as an optional module compliant with wet-bulb/dry-bulb psychrometric standards. The chamber’s air distribution architecture employs multi-point centrifugal fans and calibrated ducting to maintain temperature uniformity within ±3°C and humidity stability within ±3% RH across the entire test volume—critical for validating thermal gradients in automotive battery enclosures, avionics racks, or energy storage systems.

Key Features

• Structural integrity: Reinforced steel frame with modular PU-insulated sandwich panels (150 mm thickness), enabling field assembly and future expansion.
• Human-accessible design: 1200 mm wide electrically heated double-glazed door with safety interlock, anti-frost heating, and viewing window for continuous visual inspection.
• Thermal performance: Dual-stage cascade refrigeration system rated for sustained operation at −70°C; optional LN₂ assist available for accelerated cooldown profiles.
• Precision control: Industrial-grade PLC controller with 10.4″ color touchscreen, supporting up to 99 programmable segments, ramp/soak profiles, and real-time deviation alarms.
• Environmental fidelity: Calibrated humidity generation (20–98% RH) with PID-controlled steam injection and condensate recovery loop to minimize water consumption.
• Operational safety: Triple-layer protection including over-temperature cutoff, refrigerant pressure monitoring, door-open interlock, and emergency power-off (EPO) button.
• Connectivity & audit readiness: Standard Ethernet and RS485 interfaces; data logging compliant with GLP/GMP requirements—including user authentication, electronic signatures, and 21 CFR Part 11–ready audit trails (optional firmware).

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The OK STW-12.00 accommodates full-system and batch-level testing configurations: complete electric vehicles (EVs), battery energy storage systems (BESS) up to 2.5 m tall, telecom server cabinets, UAV platforms, and aerospace ground support equipment. Its open-floor layout supports custom mounting rails, cable troughs, and power feedthroughs (up to 63A/380V AC). All thermal and humidity control algorithms are traceable to NIST-traceable reference sensors. The chamber is engineered to facilitate execution of internationally recognized test standards—including ISO 16750-4 (road vehicles), IEC 60068-2-1 (cold), IEC 60068-2-2 (dry heat), IEC 60068-2-30 (damp heat cyclic), ASTM D4332 (conditioning of plastics), and MIL-STD-810H Method 502.7 (low temperature) and Method 507.6 (humidity). Optional IQ/OQ documentation packages are available for regulated industries requiring validation under GxP frameworks.

Software & Data Management

The embedded OK-EnviroControl™ software provides deterministic real-time control, with configurable sampling intervals (1–60 sec), automatic CSV/Excel export, and trend visualization of up to 16 simultaneous channels (including chamber setpoints, chamber readings, external sensor inputs, and alarm logs). Remote supervision is enabled via secure HTTPS web interface or Modbus TCP integration into existing MES/SCADA environments. All data records include timestamp, operator ID, and version-stamped configuration files—supporting full traceability per FDA 21 CFR Part 11 requirements when paired with optional digital signature and role-based access modules. Historical data is stored locally on industrial-grade SSD (128 GB) with automatic rollover and optional cloud backup (AWS S3 or on-premise NAS).

Applications

• Automotive: Whole-vehicle cold-start validation, HVAC performance mapping, battery thermal runaway propagation studies, and ADAS sensor calibration across temperature-humidity domains.
• Energy Storage: BESS cabinet thermal cycling (−40°C ↔ +85°C), humidity-induced corrosion screening of busbars and contactors, and grid-forming inverter derating analysis.
• Aerospace & Defense: Environmental stress screening (ESS) of satellite payload electronics, thermal vacuum pre-screening support, and flight-control actuator endurance under combined thermal/humidity load.
• Telecom & Data Infrastructure: Thermal profiling of 5G baseband units, immersion-cooled server rack validation, and edge computing node reliability under tropical ambient conditions.
• Industrial Electronics: Burn-in qualification of industrial PLCs, motor drives, and power converters operating under sustained high-RH conditions.

FAQ

What is the maximum allowable heat load from test specimens?
The standard OK STW-12.00 is rated for up to 5 kW continuous internal heat dissipation. For higher loads (e.g., powered EV drivetrains), customized refrigeration capacity and airflow recalibration are required during quotation.
Can the chamber be integrated with external power supplies or data acquisition systems?
Yes—standardized 4× Φ80 mm unsealed feedthroughs (with silicone gaskets) are provided on rear and side walls; optional shielded analog/digital I/O modules support synchronized triggering with external DAQ hardware.
Is on-site commissioning and validation support included?
Factory acceptance testing (FAT) is performed prior to shipment. On-site installation, SAT (site acceptance testing), and IQ/OQ documentation are available as optional service packages.
How is temperature uniformity verified and maintained over time?
Uniformity is validated using a 9-point thermocouple mapping procedure per IEC 60068-3-5. Annual recalibration services—including sensor drift compensation and airflow verification—are recommended and supported globally via OK’s certified service network.
Does the system support automated test sequencing across multiple chambers?
Yes—the OK-EnviroControl™ platform supports master-slave synchronization and centralized scheduling via OK-TestSuite™ enterprise software (sold separately), enabling cross-chamber thermal shock or step-stress profiles.