What it is

Espec walk-in test chambers are custom-designed environmental rooms for temperature and humidity testing of large assemblies and full products. This configuration covers the −65 °C to +85 °C range using panelized construction and a cascade Modular Air Plenum (MAP), with humidity control from 10 to 95% RH. Espec engineers each system to the client's size, performance, and utility requirements, so the chamber matches the test load and the available lab space rather than forcing the load to fit a fixed box.

• Temperature range −65 to +85 °C (panelized construction)
• Humidity range 10 to 95% RH (MAPX humidity models)
• Panelized construction with interlocking 4 in (100 mm) urethane-foam insulated panels
• Cascade refrigeration (MAPX and MAPZ conditioning plenums)
• Temperature change rates to about 5.5 °C/min (configuration-dependent)
• Custom interior sizes; standard panelized models from 279 to 1,245 cu ft
• P-300 touch-screen controller with USB and event relays
• Copeland Scroll or Discus compressors; water or air cooling

What it is used for

Walk-in chambers bring environmental testing to loads too large for a reach-in chamber:

• Large-assembly and full-product testing — validating reliability of large or completed products at temperature and humidity
• Multi-unit batch testing — conditioning many specimens at once in one room
• Combined temperature-humidity work — steady-state and cycling from 10 to 95% RH
• Sub-freezing testing — cold testing down to −65 °C with cascade refrigeration
• Integrated test setups — routing cables and interfacing powered specimens through the chamber

How it is built

Panelized construction. Interlocking insulated panels, 4 in (100 mm) urethane foam between a stainless-steel interior wall and a coated-steel exterior, assemble on site with tongue-and-groove joints, cam-latches, and silicone sealant, so any size moves in and assembles with few access problems. An assembled box is self-supporting and needs no heavy structural members.

Modular Air Plenum (MAP). The conditioning system — heaters, cooling coil, dehumidifying coil, and blower fans — rolls up to the assembled box to complete installation. Cascade MAPX (temperature and humidity) and MAPZ (temperature only) plenums cover the −65 °C range.

Floors. Standard insulated floor to 600 psf, with medium-duty (900 psf, 800 lb carts) and heavy-duty (1,500 psf distributed, 2,500 lb point) upgrades.

P-300 control. Espec's P-300 touch-screen controller in a console beside the door, with three levels of overheat protection, a running-time meter, an audible alarm, USB profile and data transfer, event relays, and a specimen-power interlock relay.

Why engineers pick it

Sized to the load, not the other way around. Each walk-in is engineered to the client's specimens, performance targets, and lab space.

Move-in without the headaches. Panelized construction assembles on site, so even large rooms reach their final location without structural obstacles.

Full temperature and humidity capability. −65 °C to +85 °C with 10 to 95% RH from a cascade MAP conditioning system.

Reliable, serviceable conditioning. Copeland Scroll or Discus compressors, direct-drive blowers, hinged service panels, and a choice of water or air cooling.

Configuring and ordering

Interior sizes are customizable; standard panelized models run from EPB279 (279 cu ft) to EPB1245 (1,245 cu ft) in 9 ft or 10 ft interior heights, listed in the Specifications tab. Options include additional windows, 2 in / 4 in / 6 in cable ports, ceiling air-plenum distribution for high-heat loads, low-humidity control (to 10% at 10 °C), variable airflow, an entry vestibule, product-temperature control, chart and paperless recorders, an emergency-stop system, and loading ramps.

Because every walk-in is a custom system, the Specifications tab shows general reference data. Tell us your specimen load, target temperature and humidity, and available space, and W5 Engineering will design and quote a complete system with you.