An environmental chamber is a highly sophisticated testing instrument to simulate real-world conditions like weather, temperature, humidity, and others. They are used across industries including electronics, automotive, pharmaceutical, and others. But do you know that the chambers that are used to maintain the product's durability and performance itself need regular maintenance? By missing them, you may get the wrong results and reliability issues.

To maintain the integrity and reliability of the machine, manufacturers need to perform preventive maintenance on a regular basis. It helps manufacturers to avoid delays due to machine disruptions as well as a higher financial cost to replace the entire machine instead of just maintenance. This article will cover the environmental chamber's complete preventive maintenance checklist that ensures the continuous operation of machines.

What is Preventive Maintenance?

Preventive maintenance or PM, is a regular or routine maintenance of equipment or tools to avoid unexpected breakdown. This specific type of maintenance focuses on fixing minor issues on a regular basis rather than waiting for the failure of equipment. The preventive maintenance can be done in different steps or processes, like in batches or daily midnight maintenance before closing the shop floor. 

For a large industry, many manufacturers use advanced techniques of preventive maintenance which is often known as predictive maintenance. This condition-based maintenance uses real-time equipment monitoring, historical records, and an analytical strategy that reduces equipment downtime and optimizes lifespan.

Depending on the instruments and facility, there are mainly 5 types of preventive maintenance:

• Usage-based maintenance (UbM)
• Condition-based maintenance (CbM)
• Time-based maintenance (TbM)
• Predictive maintenance (PdM)
• Prescriptive maintenance (PpM)

Environmental Chamber Preventive Maintenance Checklist

The environmental chamber maintenance checklist is split into five categories that include daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual checks. Each checklist should be maintained as per the testing equipment requirements and how frequently the instrument is used.

Daily Preventive Maintenance Checklist

• Clean up if there is any unexpected condensation or standing water inside the chamber or around the outer door frame.
• Before leaving the facility, always check that the door gasket is placed flush in its track and isn't showing cracks, tears or brittleness.
• Listen for unusual noises, clicks or grinding sounds from the compressor and circulation fans when powering up.
• Confirm there are no active error codes, sensor warnings or flashing alarms on the control panel.
• Check that the humidity reservoir is filled with clean water and that the intake lines aren't kinked.
• Make sure nobody has stacked items against the external cooling vents so the machine can breathe.
• Note the current chamber temperature and humidity against the controller setpoints to confirm they match.

Weekly Preventive Maintenance Checklist

• Use an approved stainless-steel cleaner or isopropyl alcohol to remove any residue from the walls of the test samples.
• To avoid scaling and mineral accumulation, drain and clean the steam generator or humidity water pan.
• Examine the wick on the wet bulb, and replace it if it is yellow, stiff or dirty.
• Run some warm water down the chamber drain to ensure that the condensation will drain off the condensation chamber without backing up.
• Open and close the door a few times to ensure that it has to be pushed and that the door handle is smooth.
• Be careful not to lose rubber or foam port plugs; harden the packing around the port plugs so that air cannot escape.
• Check the weekly chart or USB log for any unexplained hot or cold temperatures.

Monthly Preventive Maintenance Checklist

• To avoid compressor overheating, blow or vacuum the dust away from the condenser fins on the outside.
• Check your exterior water filters and replace cartridges if they appear used up or dark.
• Inspect all external water supply and drainage hoses for dry rot, brittle plastic and small pinhole holes.
• Test the over-temperature safety control manually to ensure its operation to shut the machine down if it is independent.
• Make sure the blades of the circulation fan are securely attached to the fan shaft and are not building up dust.
• Unplug and inspect the outlet for any burn or heat discoloration or loose plugs around power cords.
• Maintain a clean exterior surface from grease and dust to avoid rust spots and to help keep the lab organized.
•  

Quarterly Preventive Maintenance Checklist

• Look closely at the copper joints inside the mechanical bay for dark oil films that indicate a refrigerant leak.
• Turn off the power and gently snug down loose wire terminals inside the main electrical panel.
• Adjust the door hinges if the heavy door has sagged over time to keep the latch perfectly aligned.
• Test the internal backup batteries for the controller memory and replace them if needed.
• Disassemble the humidity boiler housing and scrape away calcium deposits from the heater elements.
• When you are reading the display and the results are showing an error, it may be an improperly calibrated handheld meter. So, always calibrate the tool first.
• Before checking the rubber vibration pads to ensure they are not cracked or flat, always test them under a compressor and fans. Any inaccuracy or minor errors can change the results.

Annual Preventive Maintenance Checklist

• For all temperature and humidity sensors, schedule a certified calibration under preventive maintenance. Make sure that they are functional for the full operating range.
• Do not depend on working employees for annual preventive maintenance of the environmental chamber. Find or approach a technician to check the refrigerant pressure, expansion valve inspection and compressor conditions for annual maintenance.
• There can be mid-year failures in upcoming years, and to prevent them, replace the door gaskets and humidity filters if they are already fragile or non-functional.
• Blow out dust from the electrical cabinet, check contactors for burn marks, and verify cooling fans spin freely.
• Apply a high-temperature lubricant to the circulation or compressor motor bearings if they have grease ports.
• Run an empty, full-range cycle from the lowest to the highest rated temperature to measure heat-up and cool-down rates.
• Swap out the water supply solenoid valves preemptively to prevent stuck lines, flooding, or bone-dry conditions.

Presto Enviro Environmental Chamber: Easy Installation & Maintenance

With the above, you might understand properly how important preventive maintenance is for the environmental chamber. To get the right equipment along with regular maintenance support, you must look for manufacturers who build the best quality machines and offer lifelong support.

If you want the best services and right maintenance right at your fingertips, Presto Enviro supplies the highest-quality environmental chambers that meet international standards.

Our equipment ensures that the product will be tested under accurately simulated climatic conditions. Our technical experts also offer lifelong maintenance support to ensure the product lasts longer. Even if you are looking for a customized environmental chamber for a specific temperature or pressure limit and humidity conditions, you can contact us to get a quote for more details.

Conclusion

Whether you are in automotive, electronics, pharmaceuticals, packaging or any other industry, preventive maintenance plays a significant role. The real world conditions of humidity, temperature and climate are tested using an environmental chamber. But not having regular preventive maintenance can put immense pressure on these machines and can cause them to break down without any warning. Actually, the best way to prevent a failure of the chamber is through preventive maintenance which will save you more money.

As we discussed, preventive maintenance should be done carefully and as per routines like daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annually. If you need any support regarding maintenance and service of environmental chambers, connect with Presto Enviro today and get a customized solution based on your requirements.