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Special tests: Rain & Altitude


Temperature and humidity are not the only climate conditions need to be simulated for products testing. Specialized designs for additional conditions that products may be affected by has been developed. Many of these come out of the automotive industry, which has to deal with the broadest range of operating conditions.

Dew cycle chamber 

Most humidity tests are designed to avoid the creation of condensation, which has a completely different failure-mode than humidity. But, for some products, condensation is a very real consideration. By modifying a standard thermal shock chamber, condensation (or dew) can be created. The hot zone of the chamber has a humidifier added. As the product moves from the cold chamber to the hot and humid chamber, dew forms on it. Like taking a drink out of a refrigerator on a hot, humid day, the cold test sample attracts and condenses moisture from the air around it. The longer the condensation can stay on the product, the more effective the test usually is.

Altitude chamber 

The military was the first to need altitude chambers to simulate operation of critical equipment for planes and missiles. Today, there is a growing interest in altitude testing for land-based applications. High-powered communications equipment is dependent on air-cooling to remove the heat they generate. If installed at high altitude locations, the thinner air is not as effective for cooling, risking failures due to overheating. The challenge is to build a chamber-wall that will not collapse as the vacuum in the chamber pulls on it. Heavy gauge construction is the order, all around. The greater challenge for the system is to be able to cool this thinner air effectively while at the same time the test load is heating it.

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