Climate Chambers

Climate chambers can be used as stand-alone testing equipment to prepare specimens or products for further testing, or they can be used to actually conduct the tests on the products or specimens. The purpose of the climate chamber is to mimic the environmental conditions a particular product may be exposed to during its normal use and to push the limits of the product. These conditions include thermal shock, extreme temperatures, altitude, humidity, radiation, and corrosion among others. Climate chambers differ vastly in size ranging from walk-in chambers to small chambers. Most climate chambers are equipped with video feeds, allowing the operator to observe the product or component during the testing process. Reach-in chambers allow for the tester to manually adjust or change some conditions during the test. Climate chambers come with many different control options like modern digital readouts with LCD displays, simple analog indicators, or even automated and programmable control systems. When choosing a climate chamber, there are certain points to consider. The first is the temperature range of the chamber. Standard chambers can reach temperatures as high as 375°F or 190°C and can cool to temperatures as low as -30°F or -34°C. For higher or lower ranges than the normal, contacting the manufacturers will be the best option. The second thing to consider is the humidity range of the chamber. Other things to consider would be the temperature change rate, the product in the chamber, the construction, and the type of cooling system (air cooled or water cooled) in the chamber. These will help you determine the best chamber for your application.