ESPEC BTL-433 User manual

Bench Top User’s Manual i
BENCH TOP CHAMBER SERIES
INSTRUCTION MANUAL

Table of Contents
iBench Top User’s Manual
Chapter 1: Introduction 1
Safety Symbols 2
Accessories and Spare Parts 3
Chapter 2: Precautions in Usage 5
Substances Which Should Not Be Placed Inside the Equipment 6
Keep Out of the Chamber 8
Specimen Protection (Safety Devices) 8
Safety Device Setting Example 8
Disposing of the Chamber 9
Other Precautions 10
Chapter 3: Overview 11
About the Bench Top Series 12
Temperature (& Humidity) Control and Instrumentation 13
Temperature (& Humidity) Control 13
Watlow F4 Programmer/Controller 14
Chapter 4: Names and Functions of Parts 15
Chamber 16
Front 16
Left Side 17
Right Side 18
Test Area 18
Instrumentation Panel 20
Chapter 5: Installation 21
Installation Site Check 22
Power Supply Work 24
Primary Power Supply Requirements 24
Primary Power Supply Connections 25
Drainage 26
Humidity Water Supply (BTL and BTX models only) 27
Removal of the Water Level Regulator Protection Material 27
Water Supply Installation 27
Water Consumption Rate 28
Checking Water Level in the Wick Pan 29
Humidifier Level Check (Size 4 chamber only) 30
Chapter 6: Operation 31
Test Preparation 32
How to Arrange Specimens 32
Door Operation 33
Specimen Safety Device Setup 34
Overheat Protector 34

ii Bench Top User’s Manual
Preparation of Operation 35
How to Use the Controlled Specimen Power Terminal and the Time Signal
Output Terminals. 35
Operating the Test Chamber 37
Fault Indicator Light 37
Fault Reset Switch 37
Run Switch 37
Overheat/Overcool (Optional) Protectors 37
Operating the Controller 38
Operating at a Setpoint (Static Mode) 39
Running a Ramp/Soak Profile (Profile Mode) 39
Monitoring the Operation 39
Enabling Humidity Mode (Events) 39
Chapter 7: Checks and Maintenance 41
Check and Maintenance Lists 42
Checks 43
Overheat Protector Trip Test 43
Wet Bulb Wick Check (Not necessary with temperature-only chambers) 43
Maintenance 45
Condenser Cleaning 45
Humidifier Cleaning 45
Test Area Cleaning 48
Take-Down Before Long Periods of Inactivity 48
Chapter 8: Troubleshooting 49
Chamber Faults 50
Alarm Indicator Light 51
Operator Error and Additional Troubleshooting 52
User-level Servicing 54
Resetting Circuit Protector 54
Changing the Chamber Lamp Bulb 55
Defrosting 56
Chapter 9: Appendix 57
Major Specifications 58
BTL North America Specification 58
BTU North America Specification 60
BTZ North America Specification 61
BTZ Export Specification 63
BTX North America Specification 65
BT Detail Specification 67
Consumable Parts and Replacement Interval 71
Glossary 72
Espec Warranty Procedure 75

Bench Top User’s Manual 1
Chapter 1: Introduction
This manual has been written for users of the Bench Top Series Chambers and
particularly for technicians. Read it thoroughly to obtain the maximum
performance from the chamber.

Introduction
2 Bench Top User’s Manual
1.1 Safety Symbols
The following safety symbols are used throughout this manual.
Note: Provides information necessary for gaining full performance from the chamber or
to prevent damage to equipment.
Procedure: Explains how to operate on a step-by-step basis. Offers supplementary informa-
tion.
TABLE 1.1. DEGREES OF DANGER
This mark means extremely dangerous
consequences may arise, with the possi-
bility of death or serious injury to the user,
if the equipment is handled incorrectly.
This mark means dangerous conse-
quences may arise, with the possibility of
death or serious injury to the user, if the
equipment is handled incorrectly.
This mark means dangerous conse-
quences may arise, with the possibility of
somewhat serious injury to the user and/
or damage to equipment and facilities, if
the equipment is handled incorrectly.
!
VERY
DANGEROU
S
!
DANGER
!
CAUTION

Bench Top User’s Manual
Introduction
1.2 Accessories and Spare Parts
Confirm that the following accessories and spare parts have been included with your chamber:
Accessory/Part Use Quantity
Power Cord
To provide power to the chamber from an
outlet. Details of plug type are inTable 5.1
on page 24 of the manual.
1 Set
Wicks For humidity detection in humidity models,
BTX or BTL models only. 1 Box
Inlet Plug For specimen power and time signal inlet. 2

Introduction
4 Bench Top User’s Manual

Bench Top User’s Manual 5
Chapter 2: Precautions in Usage
This chapter explains safety precautions that should be observed to operate the
equipment safely. Be sure to read carefully and follow instructions so as to
prevent harm to yourself, anyone else, specimens, or the equipment.

Precautions in Usage
6 Bench Top User’s Manual
2.1 Substances Which Should Not Be Placed Inside the
Equipment
DO NOT introduce the following explosives, combustibles, or
substances which contain them, into the equipment. Moreover,
keep these substances away from the equipment and immediate
area. When exposed to excessive heat, these substances may
cause fires and/or explosions.
Explosive Substances:
•Nitro glycol, nitroglycerine, nitrocellulose and other explosive ester nitrates.
•Trinitro-benzine, trinitrotoluene, picric acid and other explosive nitro compounds
•Peracetic acid, methyl ethyl ketone peroxides, benzoyl peroxide and other organic
peroxides.
Inflammable Substances:
•Combustible Substances:
- Metal lithium, metal potassium, metal sodium, yellow phosphor, phosphor
sulfide, red phosphor, celluloids, calcium carbonate (also called carbide),
calcium phosphate, magnesium powder, aluminum powder, metal powders
other than magnesium powder and aluminum powder, hydrosulfite.
•Oxides:
- Potassium chlorate, sodium chlorate, ammonium chlorate and other chlorates.
- Potassium perchlorate, sodium perchlorate, ammonium-perchlorate and other
percholorates.
- Potassium peroxide, sodium peroxide, barium peroxide and other inorganic
peroxides.
- Potassium nitrate, sodium nitrate, ammonium nitrate and other nitrates.
- Sodium chlorite and other chlorites.
- Calcium hypochlorite and other hypochlorites.
•Ignitable Substances:
- Ethyl ether, gasoline, acetaldehyde, propylene oxide, carbon disulfide and
other substances with an ignition point of -30°C (-22°F).
- Normal hexane, ethylene oxide, acetone, benzene, methyl ethyl ketone and
other substances with and ignition point above -30°C (-22°F) and below 0°C
(32°F)
- Methanol, ethanol, xylene, pentyl acetate amylacetate and other substances
with an ignition point above 0°C and below 30°C (85°F).
- Kerosene, light oil, turpentine oil, isopentyl alcohol (also called isoamyl
alcohol), acetic acid and other substances with an ignition point above 30°C
(85°F) and below 65°C (150°F).
•Combustible Gases
- Hydrogen, acetylene, ethylene, methane, ethane, propane, butane and other
combustible substances that are in a gaseous state at a temperature of 15°C
(60°F) and at a pressure of 1 atmosphere.
Spark-Resistant Interior Precautions (Option):
If chamber interior is spark-resistant, equipped with safety devices configured for
specific substances. Refer to chamber specification for minimum allowable auto-
ignition temperature (AIT). Consult Espec for use with other substances.
!
DANGER

Bench Top User’s Manual
Precautions in Usage
DO NOT introduce corrosive substances into the equipment.
Humidifying water or specimens which generate substances that
corrode stainless steel or silicone rubber can drastically shorten
service-life of internal parts, including the refrigerator and packing.
Corrosive Substances:
- Corrosive substances include, but are not limited to, chlorine, chlorides and
acids. Though apparently harmless at ambient temperature, these substances
can readily corrode circuit boards and other parts when the equipment is run at
high temperature and high humidity.
- Even trace amounts of corrosives in the humidity water supply or released by
the test items will become concentrated in the humidifying tray during
extended periods of humidity operation. If corrosion is observed in the
humidifying tray during extended high humidity testing, it should be drained
and refilled daily to flush out the corrosive contaminants. This can be done by
programming the humidity control OFF for at least 30 seconds in the humidity
control program which will drain the humidifying tray and refill it when humidity
mode is resumed (see “Program Mode Setup” in the SCP-220 Controller
Instruction Manual.)
- Damage to the equipment by prohibited substances is not covered by the
Espec warranty.
!
CAUTION

Precautions in Usage
8 Bench Top User’s Manual
2.2 Keep Out of the Chamber
RISK OF BEING TRAPPED! NEVER climb inside the chamber. The
door cannot be opened from the inside.
2.3 Specimen Protection (Safety Devices)
Set safety devices according to test conditions and the type of
specimens. Unless properly set, specimens could be damaged if
something goes wrong during testing.
The chamber is controlled to a target constant temperature and humidity* by the controller. Nonetheless,
temperature and humidity can get out of control for various reasons. In such cases, to protect specimens
against thermal damage, the chamber has an independent overheat protector and overcool (optional)
protector.
* Humidity is not set with temperature only chambers.
2.3.1 Safety Device Setting Example
High Limit Temperature
In the following example, the target temperature is 40°C and the maximum allowed temperature of the
specimens is 60°C. Safety devices are set as follows:
TABLE 2.1. HARDWARE/SOFTWARE SAFETY DEVICES
Safety Device Trip Point
Equipment
Response when
Tripped
Overheat Protector
- Set approximately 20°C
higher than target tempera-
ture.
- Set below specimen’s max-
imum allowed temperature.
- Alarm displayed
- Heater shut OFF
- Humidifier shut OFF
(Temperature only
chambers excluded)
- Refrigerator shut OFF
- Air circulator shut OFF
- Specimen power sup-
ply control terminal
interrupted
TABLE 2.2. SETTING EXAMPLE FOR OVERHEAT PROTECTOR AND HIGH LIMIT TEMPERATURE ALARMS
Overheat Protector +60°C
- Set 20°C higher than target temperature
- Set to specimen’s maximum allowed temper-
ature
!
DANGER
!
CAUTION

Bench Top User’s Manual
Precautions in Usage
2.4 Disposing of the Chamber
TRAPPED INSIDE! Before disposing of the chamber, take the door
off its hinges.
The door cannot be opened from the inside, so there is danger of
someone becoming trapped inside.
You will need a Phillips-head screwdriver to detach the door.
Procedure:
1. Open the door.
2. Remove the hinges from the door.
3. Store or dispose of the door separately from the chamber.
!
DANGER

Precautions in Usage
10 Bench Top User’s Manual
2.5 Other Precautions
Observe the following precautions when using the chamber.
DO NOT use or leave equipment outdoors.
Not only can outdoor environments adversely affect performance and
functioning, but also electrical part contact with water can lead to short-
circuit, fire, electrical shock, and breakdown.
DO NOT turn the refrigeration ON within 5 minutes of turning it
OFF.
Failure to observe the above precaution can seriously shorten the life of the refrigeration system.
HOT AIR BLAST WHEN OPEN! Use caution when opening the door
during and shortly after operation at high temperature or high
humidity.
Hot (wet) air is blown from inside the chamber when opened.
HOT ON THE INSIDE! During and shortly after operation above
55°C, the chamber is HOT on the inside (including specimens, shelves, door gasket, and
test area walls).
Direct contact may result in burns. Wear heat resistant gloves.
DO NOT introduce electrically conductive specimens which might easily be thrown about
by air currents inside the chamber.
Specimens of this sort can cause leaks in the heater if they infiltrate the air conditioner.
!
DANGER
!
CAUTION

Bench Top User’s Manual
Chapter 3: Overview
This chapter gives an overview of the Bench Top Series and temperature and
humidity control.

Overview
12 Bench Top User’s Manual
3.1 About the Bench Top Series
Chambers of the Bench Top Series are built for testing functionality, operation, durability, and other
specifications under various environmental conditions. They are used to evaluate the effects that
temperature and humidity can have on equipment and parts across the entire product life-cycle from
development, production, shipping, and use; to when the equipment or part is discarded. With the Bench
Top Series, you can test the following:
•Heat resistance
•Cold resistance
•Maximum humidity resistance (Not possible with temperature only chambers)
•Minimum humidity resistance (Not possible with temperature only chambers)
•Storability
•Service life
•Serious deterioration or aging

Bench Top User’s Manual
Overview
3.2 Temperature (& Humidity) Control and
Instrumentation
3.2.1 Temperature (& Humidity) Control
The Bench Top Series employs a Bi-Modal PID system to control temperature and humidity. The Bi-Modal
PID system balances temperature and humidity inside the chamber to reproduce the desired conditions.
This is done by alternately controlling the capacity of a cooler and dehumidifier* of high heat load, and a
heater and humidifying heater* of low heat load, in real time.
The central unit, which controls everything, is the temperature (and humidity) controller. The
instrumentation acts as the user interface.
FIGURE 3.1. PRINCIPLE OF SYSTEM
*Not provided on temperature only chambers.
Tem p/ Hum i d
Sensor
Motor
Heater
Cooler
Humidifier*
De-Humidifier*

Overview
14 Bench Top User’s Manual
3.2.2 Watlow F4 Programmer/Controller
The Watlow F4 Instrumentation enables environmental testing under both constant conditions and
programmed conditions, referred to as the “constant mode” and the “program mode” respectively.
Constant Mode
The constant mode maintains the user-set target temperature (& humidity) constant.
FIGURE 3.2.TEST CONDITIONS IN CONSTANT MODE
Program Mode
The program mode changes chamber temperature and humidity according to a user-set program.
This program is created before testing starts. It contains multiple steps. Each step contains temperature,
humidity, and other settings as with the constant mode. Settings can be maintained throughout an entire
step or changed at the constant rate.
FIGURE 3.3.TEST CONDITIONS IN PROGRAM MODE

Bench Top User’s Manual
Chapter 4: Names and Functions of
Parts
This chapter identifies parts found on the chamber, instrumentation panel, electric
parts compartment, and water circuit compartment by name and function. Return
to this chapter any time that you are unsure where a part is located.

Names and Functions of Parts
16 Bench Top User’s Manual
4.1 Chamber
4.1.1 Front
FIGURE 4.1.CHAMBER FRONT
TABLE 4.1. CHAMBER FRONT PARTS
Name Function/Use
(1) Instrumentation Panel User-interface panel for controlling the temperature (& humidity) controller.
(2) Electrical Compartment Door Open to access the electric parts compartment.
(3) Door Handle Use to open/close the chamber door.
(4) Chamber Door Open to access the test area.
(5) Chamber Run Switch Turns chamber ON if no faults are present.
(6) Fault Reset Switch Resets faults on chamber. If fault indicator is ON, this must be activated
before chamber will run.
(7) Chamber Fault Indicator Indicates a fault condition on the chamber.
Electrical Compart-
ment Door (2)
Chamber Fault
Indicator
Chamber Run
Switch
Fault Reset Switch
Optional Window
Chamber Door (4)
Door Handle (3)
Instrumentation
Panel (1)