How to choose a Memmert Climate Chamber?

A climate chamber (also known as a test chamber, humidity chamber and environmental chamber) is used to simulate a range of environmental conditions. They are widely used in lifespan and stability tests across multiple industry types including pharmaceutical, cosmetics and aeronautical engineering. Memmert offer a comprehensive range of climate chambers, with different test parameters such as temperature, humidity, light and CO2 in varying ranges. Each chamber can perform tests compliant with a number of testing/stability testing guidelines (such as ICH Q).

When specifying a Memmert humidity chamber, there are a number of important things to consider:

1. Temperature and humidity range:

When choosing a chamber it is best not to think of the absolute values a chamber can be set to, but to consider the required operational settings in comparison to the humidity and temperature envelope of the chamber. Using the below graph allows the operator to select a chamber using the operational parameters. Too close to the top of the humidity capability may result in chamber condensation. At the opposite end of the scale, low level humidity settings may be influenced more strongly by any moisture in the load, which should always be taken into account. When lower humidity values are required, a compressed air dehumidification system can be added to the CTC, HPP and ICH chamber ranges.

The TTC256 represents the final member of the climate chamber family and it does not offer any humidity control.

2. Is light required?

Perhaps the application is accelerated aging, and replication of day light conditions are required, which involves testing to the ICH guidelines. The ICH Q1A points for the 8 regions of temperature and humidity on the globe are marked in the above graph, and the HPP, ICH, and CTC chambers can all meet these norms, however, should the application require light according to Q1B guidelines, then the ICHL chamber will be required. The HPPeco range of chambers also features Led lighting in most chamber sizes, and is suitable for seed germination work and also for keeping insects, and fish.

3. Does the application require CO2?

If so, select the ICH C chamber.

4. Wide temperature requirements? Select the CTC256

For applications involving wide ranges of temperatures, the CTC256 is the logical choice, with its -42°C to +190°C temperature envelope (humidity between 10-95°C) large chamber and wide range of customisable options. This chamber is also available as the TTC256, if humidity is not required.

5. Do you have a demineralised water source?

Supplying water to a Memmert chamber is very simple indeed, as all the systems come with a reservoir for demineralised water as standard. However, should you not have a source of the right quality water available, the Memmert central water supply, connects simply to potable water and a 13A 240V plus socket, and can supply up to 3 chambers at the same time.

Range overview and model specifics

Below is a table summarising the operating ranges and specifics of all humidity chambers. Carry on reading for more details on each.

Constant Climate Chamber HPPeco

• The HPPeco Constant Climate Chamber range is available in 7 different chamber volumes (108, 256, 384, 749, 1060, 1360, 2140 litres)
• Humidity and temperature control, with optional lighting on certain chamber sizes
• Temperature (without humidity): 0 - 70°C
• Temperature (with humidity) : 5 - 70°C
• Humidity: 10 - 90% RH, 10 - 80% RH (sizes 1400, 2200)
• twinDISPLAY controllers and programmable via AtmoCONTROL
• Peltier heating and cooling technology means greater energy efficiency and less maintenance vs. standard compressors
• Tailored to environmental, material and stability testing in accordance with ICH (Q1A) guidelines

Humidity Chambers HCP

• The HCP Humidity Chamber range is available in 4 different chamber volumes (56, 107, 156, 241 litre)
• Humidity and temperature control
• Temperature: 18 - 90°C
• Humidity : 20 - 95% RH
• twinDISPLAY controllers and programmable via AtmoCONTROL
• With excellent homogeneity of temperature and humidity throughout the chamber interior, it is suited for use in environmental testing, accelerated service life test and drug stress testing in accordance with ICH (Q1A)  and 85/85 tests in accordance with IEC 60068-2-67 and IEC 60068-2-78

Climate Chambers ICH

• The ICH Climate Chamber range is available in 3 different chamber volumes (108, 256, 749 liters)
• Humidity and temperature control with CO₂ (C models) or light (L models) control available on select models
• Temperature (without humidity): -10 - 60°C (ICH), 0 - 60°C (ICH L), 10-50°C (ICH C)
• Temperature (with humidity): 10 - 60°C (ICH), 10 - 60°C (ICH L), 10-50°C (ICH C)
• Humidity: 10 - 80% RH
• twinDISPLAY controllers and programmable via AtmoCONTROL
• Designed for stability testing of cosmetics, pharmaceuticals or food testing in accordance with ICH, WHO, EMA, ASEAN, GMP, GLP and GCCP and specifically ICH (Q1B option 2) for L models. ICH C models are especially suitable for tests in the construction industry such as carbonation of concrete

Climate Chambers ICHeco

• The ICHeco Climate Chamber range is available in 3 different chamber volumes (108, 256, 749 litres)
• Humidity and temperature control with  light (L models) control available on select models
• Temperature (without humidity): -10 - 60°C (ICHeco), 0 - 60°C (ICHeco L)
• Temperature (with humidity): 10 - 60°C (ICHeco), 10 - 60°C (ICHeco L)
• Humidity: 10 - 80% RH
• twinDISPLAY controllers and programmable via AtmoCONTROL
• Environmentally-friendly and climate neutral CO₂ (R744) as a refrigerant
• Designed for stability testing of cosmetics, pharmaceuticals or food testing in accordance with ICH, WHO, EMA, ASEAN, GMP, GLP and GCCP and specifically ICH (Q1B option 2) for L models

Climatic Test Chamber CTC

• The Climatic Test Chamber CTC is available in 1 chamber volume - 256 litres
• Humidity and temperature control
• Temperature (without humidity): -42 - 190°C
• Temperature (with humidity) : 10 - 95°C
• Humidity: 10 - 98% RH
• Control technology with Celsius software
• Features the largest temperature and humidity operational ranges, making it incredibly versatile and flexible for use in material and ageing testing. Operation is in accordance with IEC 60068

Temperature Test Chamber TTC

• The Temperature Test Chamber TTC is available in 1 chamber volume - 256 litres
• Temperature control
• Temperature: -42 - 190°C
• Control technology with Celsius software
• Features a large temperature operational range without humidity, for testing in accordance with IEC 60068. Ideal for material and ageing tests where humidity is not required

You also can check out our other guides designed for helping you through the process of purchasing a climate chamber:

• What is a test chamber? How are they different to incubators?
• Choosing the right test chamber for your application? What do all of the features mean?
• Looking after your test chamber - best practise to keep it working at its best.

It is important to consider that not all options are available on all sizes of chamber, so for piece of mind, please email Camlab at sales@camlab.co.uk or call us on 01954 233110 to speak to your local technical specialist who will be able to advise you fully regarding Memmert climate chambers.