Yiheng DHP-Series Precision Microbial Incubators

Overview

The Yiheng DHP-Series Precision Microbial Incubators are engineered for reliable, low-disturbance thermal control in microbiology laboratories, cell culture facilities, and quality control environments. These units operate on the principle of natural convection heat transfer—eliminating forced-air circulation to prevent desiccation, mechanical shear, or aerosol dispersion of sensitive microbial cultures and agar-based media. The absence of fans ensures silent operation (<25 dB(A)) and minimizes vibration-induced stress on growing colonies or suspension cultures. Each model is calibrated to maintain temperature uniformity within ±0.5°C across the working chamber and stability within ±0.3°C over time, meeting foundational requirements for ISO/IEC 17025-accredited microbiological testing workflows.

Key Features

• Mirror-polished stainless steel interior (AISI 304) — corrosion-resistant, non-porous, and compatible with ethanol, hydrogen peroxide vapor, and quaternary ammonium disinfectants used in cleanroom-grade maintenance protocols.
• Fuzzy logic PID temperature controller with dual-sensor input — delivers high reproducibility and compensates for ambient load fluctuations during frequent door openings.
• Large observation window with double-glazed, low-emissivity glass — maintains thermal integrity while enabling real-time visual monitoring without compromising internal humidity or sterility.
• Dedicated over-temperature safety cut-off circuit — independently powered and hardware-latched, interrupting heating elements when chamber temperature exceeds user-defined threshold (configurable between 40°C and 70°C).
• Optional multi-stage programmable LCD controller — supports up to 30 segments per program, enabling ramp-hold profiles, automatic start/stop scheduling, and slope-controlled warming from ambient to target setpoint — critical for thermosensitive strain acclimation or synchronized inoculation protocols.
• UV-C germicidal irradiation module (254 nm, optional) — integrated into the chamber ceiling with interlocked door switch, delivering ≥100 µW/cm² irradiance at 1 m distance; validated for >3-log reduction of Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis spores, and airborne Aspergillus niger conidia per 30-minute cycle.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The DHP-Series accommodates standard microbiological consumables including Petri dishes (up to 150 mm), test tubes (16 × 150 mm), multi-well plates (6–96-well), and Erlenmeyer flasks (up to 2 L). Its natural convection architecture prevents condensation buildup on agar surfaces and avoids cross-contamination between stacked tiers. Units comply with IEC 61010-1:2010 safety standards for laboratory equipment and are designed to support adherence to CLSI M22-A4, ISO 8573-7 (for compressed air–free operation), and USP / microbial limits testing conditions. While not certified for GMP manufacturing environments, the design supports audit-ready documentation through optional data logging interfaces (RS-485 Modbus RTU) and traceable calibration records.

Software & Data Management

When equipped with the optional programmable controller, the incubator supports export of timestamped temperature logs (CSV format) via USB port. Firmware includes configurable alarm history with event codes (e.g., “TDEV_HI”, “DOOR_OPEN_LONG”), supporting root-cause analysis during QC investigations. Though standalone units do not offer cloud connectivity, they integrate with third-party Lab Information Management Systems (LIMS) via serial protocol translation gateways. All controllers retain settings after power loss and support password-protected parameter locking — aligning with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 principles for electronic record integrity where local validation is performed.

Applications

• Standard plate count agar (PCA) and tryptic soy agar (TSA) incubation per AOAC 977.27 and ISO 4833-1:2013.
• Thermotolerant coliform enumeration at 44.5°C (ISO 9308-2) and Salmonella pre-enrichment at 37°C.
• Mycological culture maintenance (e.g., Candida albicans, Aspergillus flavus) under controlled humidity-adjacent conditions.
• Environmental monitoring (EM) isolator recovery studies in pharmaceutical cleanrooms (ISO 14644-1 Class 5–8).
• Teaching lab use for bacterial growth kinetics, antibiotic susceptibility assays (Kirby-Bauer), and phage plaque assays.

FAQ

What is the temperature uniformity specification across the chamber volume?
Temperature uniformity is ±0.5°C at setpoints between 30°C and 50°C, measured at nine locations (center + eight corners) per ASTM E2234-02 Annex A1.
Is humidity control available as a factory option?
No — the DHP-Series is a dry-air incubator. For humidity-dependent applications (e.g., fungal culture), Yiheng offers parallel CO₂ incubator models (e.g., HPP series) with integrated humidification and IR-based CO₂ sensing.
Can the UV lamp be operated while samples are inside?
No — the UV-C module is interlocked with the door switch and automatically deactivates upon opening; operation is restricted to empty-chamber sterilization cycles only.
Does the incubator include NIST-traceable calibration documentation?
Factory calibration certificates (including sensor offset values and uncertainty budgets) are provided with each unit; on-site recalibration services are available through authorized Yiheng service partners in APAC and EU regions.
What is the maximum allowable ambient operating temperature?
The unit is rated for continuous operation in ambient environments up to 32°C with ≤70% RH, per IEC 60068-2-1/2 environmental testing profiles.