Climatic test chambers reduce heat loss

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team May 25, 2009

Design Environmental has brought out the BTH and Alpha climatic test chambers.

The external bodywork of these chambers is a single-shell construction in zinc-coated steel, with a powder-paint finish in toning colours Grey RAL 9002 and Blue RAL 5005.

The test chamber comprises of an all welded, watertight stainless-steel inner liner with a number of shelf supports built into the side walls, allowing shelving to be adjustable.

A silicon gasket provides an effective seal between the chamber liner and door.

Compacted mineral wall insulation within the chamber wall cavity reduces heat loss.

All Alpha chambers feature one 50mm diameter port in the left-hand wall and one 125mm diameter port in the right-hand wall.

One or two axial fans (subject to model) re-circulate air within the chamber work-space, providing excellent temperature uniformity and stability.

Full access to the chamber is provided by a left-hand hinged door.

The door-catch mechanism ensures an even pressure is maintained on the door-seal while still conforming to all current EC safety legislation.

Humidity is generated by water evaporation in a separate compartment located at the rear of the working chamber, ensuring excellent uniformity and stability in the chamber work space.

Standard features include: RS232 Contour programming/logging and supervision software; adjustable over and under temperature policemen; safety thermostat; heated window; two cable ports, one 50mm and one 125mm diameter; one off stainless-steel shelf; four castors, two lockable; refrigeration plant air-cooled condenser; anti-condensation system to limit wetting out; low voltage internal light; and four off event relays.

The BTH range is a high quality, compact, quiet and powerful range of bench-top temperature and humidity (climatic) chambers available with 30, 60 or 100-litre test-space capacity.

The BTH range is suited for small-component testing with either cyclic programs or long-term stability trials.

The optional base unit and a single-phase power supply make them mobile and versatile test chambers for reliability, durability and development tests.

Standard features of the BTH range include: Mincontrol set-point controller; RS232 communications; air cooled, integral, single stage or cascade compressors; 1 x 50mm diameter access port; multi-glazed viewing window; test-space lighting; one stainless-steel shelf; one event relay; and independent over and under temperature alarm.

Optionally available are: additional access ports, shelves and event relays; base unit with mobility; contour programming and logging software; compressed air dryer for low humidity applications; nitrogen gas or dry-air purge; automatic humidity tank replenishment; and humidity water demineraliser.

Manual set points of temperature and humidity can be entered via the control panel, which features a clear digital display of actual and set point.

Alternatively, cyclic programs, including temperature and humidity, can be written and implemented via the optional Contour software from a customer-provided PC.

Contour also features a temperature and humidity logging function.

An independent operator-set over and under temperature alarm is provided for added test-specimen protection.

Standard control features include: display with backlighting; clear text display; password protection; input constant values; software temperature limiter for min/max test space temperatures; error notification; 32-bit technology; fault diagnostic system; RS232 communications with customer's computer; switching on/off of test specimens with a potential free event relay, maximum load of 24V, 0.5A; and test chamber protection safety limiter for protection of the test cabinet against overheating thermal safety class 1 according to EN 60 519-2, 1993.