Tenney C-EVO Environmental Test Chamber

Overview

The Tenney C-EVO Environmental Test Chamber is a high-performance, vertically integrated thermal and humidity stress testing system engineered for rigorous qualification, reliability validation, and accelerated aging of materials, components, and finished products in aerospace, automotive, electronics, medical device, and pharmaceutical manufacturing environments. Built upon Tenney’s legacy of environmental chamber design since 1932, the C-EVO platform implements dual-stage refrigeration architecture (for cascade models), precision platinum RTD (100 Ω) temperature sensing, and capacitive polymer humidity sensors calibrated to traceable NIST standards. Its control principle relies on independent PID loops for temperature and—where equipped—humidity, enabling simultaneous, stable maintenance of setpoints across extreme operational envelopes. The chamber operates within a certified Class 1000 cleanroom-compatible enclosure and meets fundamental safety requirements per UL 61010-1 and FM 3610 for hazardous location compatibility.

Key Features

• Smart 1.1™ controller: 7-inch high-resolution TFT LCD touchscreen (1600K colors, anti-glare, projected capacitive), running Windows CE 7.0 OS with 800 MHz Cortex-A9 CPU and 4 GB SD flash memory—capable of storing up to 100 test profiles, each with 100 programmable steps
• Dual independent PID control loops for precise thermal and hygric regulation; real-time graphical overlay of actual vs. setpoint curves for temperature and RH
• FM-approved redundant safety architecture: dual mechanical overtemperature protection (OTP), backup solid-state thermal fuse, main power disconnect, and chamber exhaust interlock
• Robust thermal management: nickel-chromium air heaters, thermostatic expansion valve (TXV), and optional water-cooled condenser for high-heat-load applications
• Modular configuration options: single-stage (S/RS) or cascade (C/RC) refrigeration; optional LN₂ or CO₂ boost cooling, GN₂ purge, external desiccant dryer (enabling RH down to 5%), and integrated 5-gallon recirculating humidification system with water softener
• Structural integrity: heavy-duty welded steel frame, 15,000–24,000 BTUH insulation capacity, and vibration-damped leveling casters rated for 200 lb uniform floor load
• Comprehensive I/O: Ethernet 10/100 (standard), RS232/RS485 (optional), IEEE GPIB (optional), analog output retransmission, and VNC-enabled remote access via smartphone or tablet

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The C-EVO accommodates diverse sample geometries and thermal masses—from PCB assemblies and polymer specimens to sealed enclosures and active electronic subsystems—within its spacious, uniformly ventilated workspace. Interior dimensions span from 10 ft³ (283 L) to 64 ft³ (1812 L), with standard adjustable stainless-steel shelves (6 included, 100 lb max per shelf, 400 lb total chamber load). All models comply with core regulatory expectations for environmental testing infrastructure: data integrity safeguards align with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 (audit trail, electronic signature support via optional software modules), and calibration documentation supports GLP/GMP audit readiness. Tenney Environmental provides ISO/IEC 17025-accredited calibration services—including as-found/as-left reports, uncertainty budgets, and certificate traceability to NIST—with optional on-site verification. Chamber performance validation follows ASTM E145, ISO 16750-4, and MIL-STD-810H methodologies for thermal shock, steady-state exposure, and humidity cycling protocols.

Software & Data Management

Data acquisition and profile management are natively handled through the Smart 1.1™ embedded controller’s local FTP server, enabling secure transfer of configuration files, alarm logs, and time-stamped measurement archives (CSV or proprietary binary format) over Ethernet. Real-time trending, historical playback, and comparative overlay of multiple test runs are accessible directly on the touchscreen interface. For enterprise integration, optional TenneyLink™ software extends functionality with centralized fleet monitoring, automated report generation (PDF/Excel), role-based user permissions, and seamless linkage to LIMS or MES platforms via OPC UA or Modbus TCP. All logged data includes full metadata: timestamp (UTC), sensor ID, operator login, ambient conditions, and system status flags—ensuring full ALCOA+ compliance (Attributable, Legible, Contemporaneous, Original, Accurate, Complete, Consistent, Enduring, Available).

Applications

• Thermal aging of elastomers, adhesives, and conformal coatings per ASTM D573 and ISO 188
• Temperature-humidity bias testing of semiconductor packages and MEMS devices (JEDEC JESD22-A101, A110)
• Accelerated corrosion screening of metallic assemblies under cyclic damp heat (ISO 9227, IEC 60068-2-30)
• Stability chamber qualification for pharmaceutical packaging per ICH Q1A(R2) and USP
• Pre-conditioning of lithium-ion battery cells prior to electrical cycling (SAE J2464, UN 38.3 thermal test)
• Validation of HVAC component performance under extreme ambient transients (SAE J1979, ISO 16750-4)

FAQ

What is the standard temperature and humidity range for the C-EVO?
Standard single-stage models (S/RS) operate from –35°C to 180°C; cascade configurations (C/RC) extend to –73°C. Humidity control (20–95% RH) is available only on RS and RC variants, bounded by a 5°C dew point minimum and requiring dry-bulb temperatures between 20°C and 85°C.

Does the C-EVO support automated compliance reporting for FDA or ISO audits?
Yes—when paired with TenneyLink™ and configured with audit trail logging, electronic signatures, and secure user authentication, the system satisfies 21 CFR Part 11 and ISO 13485 documentation requirements. Calibration certificates include measurement uncertainty and NIST traceability.

Can the chamber be validated per IQ/OQ/PQ protocols?
Full validation documentation kits—including URS, FDS, SDS, and pre-executed protocol templates aligned with ASTM E2500 and Annex 15—are available upon request. Installation and operational qualification can be performed by Tenney Field Engineers or qualified third parties.

Is remote monitoring and control supported out of the box?
Yes—Ethernet connectivity is standard. Remote access is enabled via built-in VNC server; no additional licensing is required. Users may monitor live parameters, initiate/abort tests, and retrieve logs using any VNC client on iOS, Android, or desktop platforms.

What maintenance intervals are recommended for long-term reliability?
Tenney recommends quarterly inspection of refrigerant charge, condenser coil cleanliness, and door gasket integrity; annual verification of sensor calibration and safety circuit functionality; and biennial replacement of humidification system filters and water softener cartridges. Preventive maintenance contracts include priority response and firmware updates.