Programmable Temperature & Humidity Chamber

What is a Programmable Temperature & Humidity Chamber?

A Programmable Temperature & Humidity Chamber, also known as a climatic test chamber or environmental simulation chamber, is a specialized piece of laboratory equipment designed to replicate and control precise environmental conditions. It allows users to simulate extreme or variable temperature and humidity levels to test the durability, performance, and reliability of materials, products, and components. Unlike basic chambers, the “programmable” feature enables automated, multi-stage test cycles where parameters can be preset for complex sequences, such as ramping temperatures or alternating humidity levels over time.

These chambers are essential in quality assurance and R&D, helping predict how products will behave in real-world scenarios like harsh weather, storage conditions, or operational stresses.

How Does It Work?

The chamber integrates several key systems:

• Heating and Cooling: Uses heaters and refrigeration units (often compressor-based) to achieve temperatures from as low as -70°C to +150°C.
• Humidity Control: Employs humidifiers (e.g., steam generators) and dehumidifiers (e.g., desiccant or cooling coils) to maintain relative humidity (RH) levels from 10-20% to 98%.
• Programmable Controller: A touchscreen or digital interface (often PID-based) allows programming of up to 999 cycles with segments for time, temperature, and humidity. Features include real-time monitoring, alarms, data logging via USB/Ethernet, and compliance with standards like IEC 60068 or ASTM.
• Safety Features: Over-temperature protection, overload safeguards, and emergency stops ensure safe operation.

Air circulation fans maintain uniformity, and sensors provide NIST-traceable accuracy (e.g., ±0.5°C for temperature, ±2-3% RH for humidity). Tests can run dynamically (cycling) or steadily, accelerating aging processes to simulate years of exposure in hours or days.

Common Applications

Programmable chambers are essential for accelerated aging tests because they can simulate years of environmental exposure in a matter of days or weeks. Industries rely on them to ensure product quality and compliance with global testing standards.