Purchasing Resources for Altitude Test Chambers

Altitude Test Chambers Key Terms

Aid your product testing through understanding altitude test chambers key terms
By Trish Popovitch Altitude and environmental chambers, most commonly referred to as altitude chambers, allow for a controlled environment for the statistical testing of products. By measuring and constructing the environment, the results of endurance testing become more accurate and the product more marketable.

When working with an altitude test chamber, understanding the key terms associated with altitude testing and altitude chambers allows you to better use the equipment, create tests and communicate results. When learning altitude test chamber key terms, keep in mind the following:

1. Realize that there are a variety of altitude chambers on the market with different names and different components.
2. Know that altitude tests use both climate and statistical terminology.
3. Understand the terms and definitions for the elements of climate utilized in altitude chambers.
   

Learn the types of altitude and environmental chambers

Altitude chambers perform a variety of tasks, come in a variety of sizes and suit a variety of projects. Learning the terms and label that help you distinguish between a bench top chamber, which tests product endurance, and a hypobaric chamber, which tests human endurance, is key to making good testing equipment choices. By looking at the online catalogs of major chamber producers, you can get an idea of common names for the basic kinds of testing chambers.
Try:  Cincinnati Sub-Zero Products defines a number of different testing chamber types with detailed definitions of their capabilities. ESPEC North America offers a lot of specifications and informative articles on the types of chambers used in altitude and environmental testing.

Comprehend the terms surrounding altitude testing

A number of factors are measured during an altitude chamber test, including temperature, humidity and air pressure. Understanding these terms and a little about how they are measured during testing will help when communicating test results to co workers and potential clients.
Try:  Equipment Reliability Institute provides a detailed and easy to read glossary of terms associated with machine and product testing. TestChamber.com has a fantastic glossary of testing and measurement terminology as well as a host of information on testing chambers in general.

Learn the elements controlled in altitude and environmental chambers

Heat, cold, oxygen levels, humidity and pressure, as well as thermal shock and thermal stress are measured when using altitude testing chambers. Understanding the language and terms surrounding environmental testing is core to measuring and predicting results.
Try:  LR Environmental Equipment offers both a detailed explanation of the factors measured in chamber testing as well as tips on how to choose the most suitable chamber for your needs. DATASYST Engineering & Testing Services offers the fundamental definitions of the main types of components tested including temperature, thermal shock, humidity, altitude and HALT/HASS.

• Knowing the various names and functions of your particular altitude chamber design allows to not only understand the testing procedure better but communicate issues or necessary repairs to a repair company or parts supplier.

---