Altitude Test Chamber

Altitude Test Chamber is a test equipment that can simulate environments at different altitudes. It is widely used in aerospace, automotive, electronics, biomedicine and other fields. Its main function is to reproduce extreme conditions such as low air pressure, low temperature, and low oxygen at high altitudes to evaluate the adaptability and performance of equipment and organisms in these environments.

The core principle of the high-altitude test chamber is air pressure control, which simulates the atmospheric environment at different altitudes by reducing the air pressure in the cabin. At the same time, the temperature control system adjusts the temperature, the humidity control device adjusts the air humidity, and the oxygen regulation system is used to simulate the plateau hypoxia environment. In addition, sensors and computer systems monitor and control the environmental parameters in the cabin in real time to ensure the accuracy of experimental data.

The equipment is widely used in aerospace testing, engine plateau performance evaluation, electronic component reliability research, human plateau adaptation research, and military high-altitude combat equipment testing. It is an important tool for extreme environment testing and scientific research.

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3C Electronics

Smart watch component reliability testing

The inside of a watch contains a variety of components such as batteries, displays, sensors, circuit boards, etc. Different environmental conditions may affect these components. For example, low temperatures may cause battery capacity to drop and the display to react slowly; high temperatures may cause electronic components to overheat and be damaged;

In a low-pressure environment, the sealing performance of the watch may be tested, causing outside air or moisture to enter the inside of the watch. By improving the sealing structure and materials of the watch and strengthening the sealing performance test, we can ensure that the watch can maintain good sealing in various environments.

Telecommunications

Communication base station environmental adaptability assessment

Communication base station equipment is often deployed in different geographical locations and climatic conditions, from cold polar regions to hot deserts, from low-altitude plains to high-altitude mountains. Through high-temperature and low-pressure tests, these extreme environments are simulated to test whether the equipment can work normally under different temperature and pressure conditions and evaluate its environmental adaptability.

According to the abnormal phenomena and performance change data recorded during the test, analyze the problems of the equipment in high-temperature and low-pressure environments. For example, if the equipment is found to overheat in a high-temperature environment, it may be necessary to improve the heat dissipation design of the equipment; if the signal quality of the equipment decreases in a low-pressure environment, it may be necessary to optimize the performance of the RF module.

New Energy Batteries

Check whether the power bank will have safety hazards such as overheating, burning, explosion, leakage, etc. in high and low temperature and low pressure environments, and ensure the personal safety of users when using the power bank under various environmental conditions.

Low pressure will affect the heat dissipation performance of the power bank, making it difficult for the heat generated by the battery and circuit to dissipate, further exacerbating the impact of high temperature on the power bank. In a low-pressure environment, the air inside the power bank expands, which may cause pressure on the sealing components. If the sealing performance is poor, air may enter the power bank and affect its electrical performance.

Based on the test results, optimize the material selection of the power bank, improve the structural design of the power bank, strengthen the heat dissipation design, improve the circuit protection measures of the power bank, and add functions such as over-temperature protection, over-charge protection, over-discharge protection and short-circuit protection.

Electricity

Arc extinguishing performance test of high voltage electrical equipment

High, low temperature and low pressure environment may change the characteristics of the arc and the performance of the arc extinguishing medium. The test is to ensure that the equipment can effectively extinguish the arc in various environments to avoid problems such as arc reignition.

If the arc extinguishing time of the equipment is within the specified range, the arc energy is lower than the allowable value, the contact erosion is slight, and the equipment can open and close normally and perform subsequent operations, the arc extinguishing performance is considered qualified.

If the arc extinguishing performance does not meet the standard, take improvement measures such as replacing materials, optimizing structures, adjusting parameters, etc. for specific problems, and then retest.

Military

Chemical protective clothing protection performance stability test

Ensure that the protective materials and sealing structures of chemical protective clothing can continue to effectively block toxic and harmful substances in high-temperature, low-pressure environments. For example, when performing chemical protection tasks in high-altitude cold areas, the chemical protective clothing will not become brittle or cracked due to low temperature and low pressure, resulting in a decrease in protective performance.

After the test, the air pressure and temperature in the test box are restored to normal environmental conditions, and the chemical protective clothing is taken out for comprehensive inspection and evaluation, including appearance inspection, sealing performance test, functional inspection, etc., to determine whether the chemical protective clothing meets relevant requirements and standards.

Biomedical

Low pressure test for implantable medical devices

Medical devices implanted in the human body, such as pacemakers, implantable blood glucose monitors, and implantable prostheses, need to maintain stable and safe performance under various environmental conditions. High-low-temperature and low-pressure tests can simulate the temperature changes in the human body’s internal environment (human body temperature fluctuates within a certain range) and the different external environments that patients may be in (such as low-pressure environments in high-altitude areas), and test the working performance, battery life, material compatibility, and safety of these devices under extreme conditions to ensure that they can operate normally inside the human body and will not cause adverse effects on the human body.

Selection criteria when buying a temperature test chamber

Main technical indicators of the altitude test chamber

project	content
Studio Size	600D × 500W × 830H mm .
Dimensions	Approximately 1850D × 950W × 1900H mm , excluding controller , motor , test holes and other protruding parts.
Temperature range	-40 ℃ ～ + 150 ℃
Humidity range	20-98%, humidity can only be measured under normal pressure
Temperature fluctuation	±0.5 ℃ , normal pressure, no load
Temperature uniformity	1. Normal pressure ~ 40kPa no-load: ≤2 ℃ ; 2. The pressure inside the box is 4 ~ 40kPa , when no load: ≤5 ℃ ; 3. The pressure inside the box is 1 ~ 4kPa , when no load: ≤10 ℃ ; 4. If the pressure inside the box is less than 1 kPa, no assessment will be conducted.
Temperature deviation	≤±2 ℃ , normal pressure and no load; ≤±5 ℃ , (normal pressure ~1kPa , 0 ℃ ~ 50 ℃ , no-load, air outlet temperature control sensor) ; ＜ 1 kPa is not assessed.
Heating and cooling rate	150 ℃ ~ -40 ℃ ≥1 ℃ / min ( normal pressure, no load, full process average ) ; -40 ℃ ~+ 150 ℃ ≥3 ℃ /min ( normal pressure, no-load, average over the entire process ) ;
Pressure range	1. Pressure range: normal pressure ~ 50 kPa
Depressurization rate	1. Normal pressure ~ 1.0kPa ≤ 4 0min ; 2. Pressure recovery rate: ≤10.0 kPa/min .
Pressure deviation	When the pressure is ≥40kPa : ≤±2kPa; When the pressure is 4kPa ~ 40kPa : ≤±5%kPa; ＜ 4kPa≤ ± 0.1kPa
Rapid decompression ( optional )	75.2kPa ～ 18.8kPa≤15s;
power	Total power: about 60kW ; Maximum operating power: about 65 kW .
Built-in light	A light bulb is installed in the box.
noise	≤75dB ( A ), measured at a distance of one meter from the front of the cabinet and one meter above the ground.
weight	About 1 800kg .

What are the safety protection functions of the altitude test chamber ?

Personnel safety	Leakage protection
	Grounding protection
Test chamber safety	Main power phase sequence and phase loss protection
	Controller level password protection
	Heater short circuit
	Condenser water shortage protection
	Compressor motor overheat protection
	Compressor overload protection
	Compressor overpressure protection
	Vacuum pump motor overload protection
	Circulation fan motor overload protection
	Emergency stop switch
	High temperature upper limit and low temperature lower limit protection
	Sensor open circuit protection
Specimen safety	An independent overpressure protector is set to prevent the danger of over-adjustment of vacuum degree in the working room;
	Sequential output control contacts can be used to cut off product test power supply when a fault occurs
Call the police	When the above faults occur, the test chamber stops, the control system automatically stops, and an audible and visual alarm is issued.

What standards does the Altitude Test Chamber usually meet?

An Altitude Test Chamber is designed to simulate high-altitude conditions, such as those experienced in aerospace, automotive, and electronics testing. These chambers are designed to meet specific industry standards to ensure the equipment can function properly under low-pressure, low-oxygen, and temperature-variable conditions. Here are the key standards that Altitude Test Chambers typically meet:

1. GB/T 2423.3 (Chinese National Standard)

GB/T 2423.3 is part of the Chinese environmental testing standards, covering temperature, humidity, and pressure factors. It includes high-altitude testing (low-pressure simulation), which is used to assess the performance of equipment under simulated high-altitude conditions. This standard is commonly applied for testing electronic and electrical devices in low-pressure environments.

2. GB/T 2423.1 (Environmental Testing – General Requirements)

GB/T 2423.1 is a general standard for environmental testing in China, which defines testing conditions such as temperature, humidity, and atmospheric pressure. It serves as the foundational standard for various tests, including high-altitude simulations, to ensure equipment’s environmental adaptability.

3. GB/T 16664 (Low Pressure Testing Standard)

GB/T 16664 specifically addresses the testing requirements for low-pressure environments. It outlines methods for simulating high-altitude conditions (from sea level to higher altitudes) and ensures that equipment can operate under reduced atmospheric pressure typical of high altitudes.

4. MIL-STD-810 (U.S. Military Standard)

MIL-STD-810 is a widely recognized U.S. military standard that is also referenced in China, particularly Method 500.5 (High-Altitude Testing). This standard defines the testing methods for equipment exposed to a range of environmental factors, including low-pressure or high-altitude conditions, and is commonly used for aerospace, military, and defense equipment.

5. IEC 60068 (International Electrotechnical Commission)

The IEC 60068 series is a globally applied standard, including in China. Specifically, IEC 60068-2-13 covers low-pressure testing and environmental tests for electrical and electronic equipment under high-altitude conditions. It defines the procedures for simulating various environmental conditions, including low-pressure environments.

6. ISO 14694 (International Organization for Standardization)

ISO 14694 outlines the design, performance, and safety requirements for altitude simulation chambers. This standard ensures that chambers can reliably simulate high-altitude conditions by controlling temperature, humidity, and atmospheric pressure.

7. RTCA DO-160 (Aerospace Equipment Standard)

RTCA DO-160 is an aerospace industry standard that specifies the environmental testing procedures for avionics and aerospace equipment. Section 4 of this standard covers Altitude Simulation, and it is used in China for testing equipment that will be exposed to high-altitude conditions during aviation or space missions.

8. SAE ARP 5170 (Aerospace Industry Standard)

SAE ARP 5170 is an aerospace standard that provides testing procedures for equipment used in high-altitude environments. In China, aerospace equipment often follows this standard to ensure it functions properly in real-world high-altitude conditions.

9. ISO 9001 (Quality Management System)

ISO 9001 is a widely recognized quality management standard, ensuring that the processes for manufacturing and testing equipment in altitude test chambers follow internationally recognized quality control guidelines. Compliance with this standard guarantees that testing is performed consistently and accurately.

10. JIS B 2000 (Japanese Industrial Standard)

JIS B 2000 is a Japanese industrial standard that is referenced by some Chinese manufacturers to ensure equipment performs reliably in simulated high-altitude conditions. Although this is a Japanese standard, it is often followed for testing purposes in regions outside Japan.

11. ISO 17025 (General Requirements for the Competence of Testing and Calibration Laboratories)

ISO 17025 ensures that testing and calibration laboratories are competent to conduct altitude simulation tests and provide reliable results according to international standards. It ensures the reliability and repeatability of test results in altitude testing environments.

12. IEC 61000-4-2 (Electromagnetic Compatibility)

While primarily related to electromagnetic compatibility (EMC), IEC 61000-4-2 also applies in high-altitude environments where atmospheric conditions can influence electronic device performance. This standard is used to ensure that equipment remains electromagnetically compatible in low-pressure, high-altitude conditions.

Key Features of These Standards:

Pressure Control: Simulates the low-pressure environments typical of high-altitude conditions.
Temperature and Humidity Control: Maintains specific temperature and humidity levels to simulate different climatic conditions.
Performance Validation: Ensures equipment can withstand the stresses of high-altitude conditions, including reduced oxygen levels and extreme temperature variations.
Test Duration: High-altitude tests are often performed over extended periods to assess the long-term reliability of the equipment under simulated high-altitude conditions.