OK Walk-in Constant Temperature Environmental Test Chamber OK-STH-8.8m²

Overview

The OK Walk-in Constant Temperature Environmental Test Chamber OK-STH-8.8m² is a fully engineered, room-scale environmental simulation platform designed for static and dynamic thermal validation of large-format systems under rigorously controlled conditions. Unlike benchtop or upright chambers, this walk-in chamber operates on the principle of forced-air convection combined with multi-stage refrigeration and high-capacity resistive heating to maintain stable, uniform temperature fields across its 8.8 m² internal footprint (2000 mm × 2000 mm × 2000 mm). It is not a generalized climate chamber but a purpose-built infrastructure-grade instrument—engineered to support system-level qualification in accordance with IEC 60068-2-1 (cold), IEC 60068-2-2 (dry heat), ISO 16750-4 (road vehicles), and MIL-STD-810H Method 502.7 (low temperature) and Method 501.7 (high temperature). Its structural architecture—comprising load-bearing steel framing, 150 mm thick polyurethane (PU)-core insulated panels with λ ≤ 0.022 W/m·K thermal conductivity, and a motorized double-gasketed access door—ensures long-term dimensional stability, minimal thermal bridging, and repeatable boundary conditions essential for regulatory-compliant testing.

Key Features

• Modular, field-assemblable construction with standardized panel interlocking system—enables future expansion or reconfiguration without structural compromise.
• Multi-stage cascade refrigeration system (dual-compressor configuration) optimized for sustained operation at −70°C, delivering consistent cooling capacity even under full thermal load.
• High-volume axial and centrifugal fan array with calibrated airflow distribution ducting—guarantees temperature uniformity of ±3°C throughout the entire working volume per IEC 60068-3-5.
• Industrial-grade PLC-based controller with 10.4″ color touchscreen HMI, supporting up to 99 programmable steps, real-time trend logging, and user-defined alarm thresholds.
• Dual redundant safety architecture: independent mechanical high/low temperature cutouts, refrigerant pressure monitoring, and door-interlocked power cutoff compliant with EN 61000-6-2/6-4 EMC standards.
• Integrated test port array (6 × Φ80 mm, sealed with silicone grommets) for uninterrupted signal/power feedthrough without compromising chamber integrity.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The OK-STH-8.8m² accommodates full-system and bulk-batch testing scenarios where physical scale precludes use of conventional enclosures: electric vehicle battery packs (up to 2.5 m tall), telecom server racks (42U+), photovoltaic inverters (≥1 MW class), aerospace avionics cabinets, and industrial control panels. All chamber configurations meet structural load requirements per ISO 14644-1 Class 8 cleanroom-compatible mounting provisions. Temperature performance validation is traceable to NIST-traceable reference sensors and conforms to ASTM E74-22 calibration protocols. The system supports GLP/GMP-aligned audit trails—including operator ID, timestamped parameter changes, and event-logged deviations—when paired with optional OK-DataLink software (FDA 21 CFR Part 11 compliant with electronic signature and role-based access control).

Software & Data Management

The embedded OK-Control Suite provides ISO/IEC 17025-aligned data integrity features: automatic generation of PDF test reports with embedded calibration certificates, CSV export of second-by-second temperature logs (including min/max/avg per sensor channel), and configurable email/SNMP alerts for out-of-spec events. Optional cloud-enabled firmware (OK-CloudConnect v3.1) enables remote supervision via secure TLS 1.3 encrypted tunnels, synchronized multi-chamber scheduling, and centralized firmware version management across distributed test facilities. All recorded datasets include immutable metadata: sensor serial numbers, calibration expiry dates, and environmental ambient conditions logged from external weather station inputs.

Applications

• Automotive: Cold-start validation of BEV powertrains at −40°C; HVAC performance mapping across full cabin assemblies; thermal soak testing of ADAS sensor arrays under solar load simulation.
• Aerospace: Pre-flight thermal conditioning of UAV airframes; functional verification of flight control computers under extended high-temperature soak (85°C, 168 h).
• Energy Storage: Accelerated life-cycle testing of grid-scale BESS cabinets per UL 9540A thermal runaway propagation protocols.
• Data Infrastructure: Thermal stress screening of edge computing nodes operating at elevated ambient (40°C) with active 100% CPU load.
• Industrial Electronics: Burn-in qualification of railway signaling controllers per EN 50129 SIL-4 requirements, including 1000-hour continuous operation at 70°C.

FAQ

What is the maximum allowable internal heat load this chamber can stabilize against?
The OK-STH-8.8m² is rated for continuous internal heat dissipation up to 8 kW (at −40°C operation) when configured with optional liquid-cooled condenser enhancement. Standard configuration supports 4.5 kW steady-state load.
Can humidity control be retrofitted to this constant-temperature model?
No—this is a dedicated dry-temperature chamber. Humidity capability requires the OK-STH-H series with steam generator, stainless steel wetted parts, and dew-point referenced RH control.
Is on-site commissioning and IQ/OQ documentation included?
Yes—OK Instruments provides full FAT/SAT documentation, 3-point temperature uniformity mapping per IEC 60068-3-5, and GxP-compliant Installation Qualification (IQ) and Operational Qualification (OQ) packages upon request.
What electrical supply is required for the −70°C configuration?
Three-phase 380 VAC ±10%, 50 Hz, 63 A dedicated circuit with upstream isolation switch and harmonic filtering per IEEE 519-2022.
How is temperature uniformity verified during routine operation?
Chamber users perform quarterly verification using a 9-point thermocouple array (Type T, Class 1) mapped per ISO 17025-accredited procedure—with raw data archived alongside calibration certificates in OK-DataLink.