Maintenance is essential for every piece of equipment. Like any home or car, regular environmental testing maintenance should always be a top priority. Test chambers may show signs of imminent repair, such as water leaks, rust, corrosion, pooling, and condensation.
If overlooked, these issues eventually lead to serious problems. So, maintaining your testing chamber thoroughly is essential for ensuring its longevity and functionality.Â
This article highlights environmental test chamber maintenance tips to keep your chamber in good condition.
Cleaning Regularly Inside and Out
The interior of the chamber should be regularly cleaned with a suitable cleaner. In many situations, a steel cleaner works well. Remove the shelves to ensure the chamber is completely clean and spotless. The walls of the ClimaCell are detachable, and you should remove them when you clean them. After each use, make sure to remove any water or condensation that may have accumulated inside the chamber. Wipe the unit’s exterior regularly.
Many test chambers have features like heated side walls to prevent condensation buildup. However, condensation may occur due to various factors such as ambient conditions, moisture content of the chamber load, humidity, and temperature within the chamber. More steam is produced when a chamber is used at the upper limits of its operating temperature or with a high moisture-containing load. This may condense at the appliance’s coldest point and cause the water to pool.
On the back of the chambers (particularly those with Peltier cooling), dirt buildup can form in the heat sink at the rear. Remove this dust on a regular basis with a brush or vacuum cleaner, being careful not to harm the device.
Keep Moving Parts Lubricated
Environmental test chambers have many moving parts, such as locks, fans, and closures. You can lessen wear and tear by greasing these components. The greasing process is crucial for ensuring smooth operations.
Moreover, it prevents unnecessary stress on the chamber’s functioning. The manufacturer suggests the use of grease. Therefore, if you are serious about your chamber, follow their recommendations.
Environmental Chamber Calibration
Calibration is another vital component of environmental chamber maintenance. It ensures the chamber faithfully replicates the environmental conditions essential for your experiments or tests. Periodically calibrating the chamber is necessary to provide accurate results. It is advisable to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for environmental chamber calibration.
Inspect Electrical System
When inspecting your electrical systems, you should check for pitting and loose connections on relays, contacts, wire harnesses, solenoids, sensor clips, and compressor connections. Examine that ground wires and phasing are correct, and then use a multimeter to check electrical readings at all connections and terminations.Â
Take the necessary amperage measurements and examine the high and control voltage. Before completion, check that all lights and control switches are working.
Monitoring of Chamber Conditions
Monitoring the chamber conditions is vital for maintaining the proper environmental parameters. Regular testing and adjusting the systems that regulate temperature, humidity, and other environmental factors may ensure the chamber functions properly. If the chamber conditions begin to deviate from the necessary parameters, the accuracy of test results may decrease.
Software and Firmware Updates
Updating the firmware and software in your small environmental test chamber is essential for optimal functioning. These upgrades usually fix essential bugs, improve system functionality, and introduce new features that boost productivity.
Regularly consulting with the manufacturer for the latest updates guarantees that your chamber takes advantage of the most recent improvements. When updates are available, it’s important to follow the manufacturer’s installation advice carefully to prevent problems and preserve the chamber’s accuracy and dependability.
