Panelized Walk-in Chambers

Panelized chamber is assembled on-site for large testing applciations.

  • High-quality insulated panel system to build the chamber size you need
  • Heat/cooling/humidity system sized to your application.
  • Wide selection of optional features
See Panelized Walk-ins
Solid Walk-in Chambers

One-piece chamber construction for durability for extreme testing

  • High temperature range to 150°C
  • Suitable for change rates greater than 10°C/min.
  • Includes full-opening doors for easier loading
  • Built with the size and features you need
See Solid Walk-ins
EN112 Compact Walk-in Chambers

Compact walk-in chambers for testing full-size solar panels or other large products. 4’x4’x7’ or larger interiors.

Learn about Compact Walk-ins
Stability Walk-in Chambers

Panelized walk-in chambers especially designed for steady-state operation at one setting.

See Stability Walk-in models
Drive-In Chambers

ESPEC customizes each drive-in to include features to suit the simulation requirements.

  • Solid or panelized construction
  • Configurable for running vehicle testing
  • Dynamometer or Four-post road simulator integration
See Drive-in models

Learn more about Walk-in Test Chambers

What is a “panelized” walk-in chamber?

Panelized walk-in chambers are test chambers constructed using interlocking insulated panels, allowing for easy assembly of any size without significant construction challenges during move-in. Panels are typically sealed together with special silicone caulking. A separate temperature/humidity conditioning system (we call a MAP), is installed in one wall of the chamber. The panels are manufactured to ESPEC high-quality standards, for a wide range of testing conditions.

What benefits do panelized chambers offer?

Being able to select a chamber box size for your needs is important, including door size and location. Utilizing a standard MAP sub-assembly allows for faster and more efficient manufacturing, and installation at your site.

What temperature and humidity conditions can be simulated in ESPEC's walk-in chambers?

ESPEC's walk-in chambers can simulate temperatures ranging from -35°C or -65°C to as high as 85°C. Humidity testing range of 10% to 95% RH, with special low-humidity options available. Temperature cycling rates of up to 10°C/min. are possible. (Higher temperatures or extreme humidity like 85°C/85% can be accommodated with a solid walk-in chamber.)

This size test chamber is more likely to be testing fully-running products. Let us know things like: The mass of the product, heat generated by the product, possible ingress or occupation by people, power or other supporting inputs for the system to operate.

Are panelized walk-in chambers suitable for extremely large applications?

Absolutely! ESPEC North America has successfully built extremely large drive-in chambers using panels, showcasing their scalability. The panels are lightweight, making move-in to your installation site easy. Larger chambers may need structural members for the ceiling, which would be included with your system. Large double-doors can be included, for maximum access.

How does ESPEC determine the right walk-in-test chamber for my needs?

We base the selection of the proper conditioning MAP, chamber, and system features, based on the information provided about your application. Every panelized walk-in system is built to order. Simply provide details such as desired chamber size, site limitations, temperature extremes, test profiles, humidity control needs, test load details, and any other specific testing requirements to your sales representative. Our price quotes typically include a concept drawing so you can start planning with confidence.

Are there any limitations or restrictions on the types of materials that can be tested in ESPEC's walk-in chambers?

Our chambers typically use wire elements for heating, which can ignite flammable gasses emitted by your product. Additionally, there may be instances of chemical leaching from humidity testing. Please inform us if your product emits any chemicals or poses a risk of doing so during testing.

What considerations should be made for site planning?

When planning for site installation, it's important to account for floor space and provide additional space for the conditioning MAP adds, as well as three feet (one meter) spacing for servicing. In applications where large or frequent loading occurs, consideration should be given to installing a floor pit, so the insulated floor is at the same level as the room. Local codes, safety regulations, and considerations for the planned usage of the equipment should also be thoroughly investigated. All walk-in chambers include an interior safety release.

How does ESPEC assist with the installation and initial setup of walk-in test chambers?

ESPEC provides dedicated installation teams for large systems like walk-ins. Before installation, our team will meet with you to review the project. Typically, a basic walk-in chamber can be installed and commissioned within one week.

Can ESPEC's walk-in chambers be integrated with external testing or monitoring equipment?

Yes, our walk-in chambers can be built to integrate with third-party test systems such as lighting, power supplies, robots, vibration and motion simulation, and battery cyclers.

Platinous Air-cooled FrontPlatinous Air-cooled InsideESPEC’s larger and high-performance test chambers typically are water cooled systems. The water is used to cool the refrigeration system at its condenser. (See our last newsletter for details about water-cooling.) Our smaller, standard chambers avoid water-cooling by expelling the heat directly to the room via an air-cooled condenser. For larger refrigeration systems, this would create too much heat and be too large to be acceptable.

In instances where water-cooling is impractical, ESPEC can provide a remote air-cooled condenser. This condenser is placed outside, much like many buildings’ air conditioning condensers are. The refrigerant is piped to the condenser, where high velocity fans cool it before it is returned to the system. Because we use less common refrigerants with special capabilities to allow extremely low temperatures, our condensers are much more sensitive to outdoor temperatures. Typically, we limit our performance guarantee for a system to a maximum outdoor temperature of 35°C (95°F). As the temperature increases above this point, the performance of the chamber drops, eventually shutting down at around 40°C (104°F).

Walk-in Remote Air-cooled CondenserTo keep the ambient air at your condenser at its lowest possible and keep the system running efficiently, plan ahead. Locate the condenser in a shady location, preferably on the north or east side of your building. If placing the condenser on the roof, a reflective surface, like white pebbles, is best. Of course, allow adequate spacing for good airflow. Only for the most demanding, high production applications, should this be a serious concern. In regions where the design standard is higher than 95°F, ESPEC will need to oversize the refrigeration condenser and/or adjust the pressure limits of the system. To learn more, check out this web page: https://www.howstuffworks.com/ac.htm

Platinous Air-cooled FrontWhy do our larger test chambers need cooling water? The water is used to cool the refrigeration system at its condenser (where the refrigerant changes from a gas to a liquid). Our smaller, standard chambers can do this by expelling the heat directly to the room via an air cooled condenser (similar to a refrigerator). But because the larger compressors used with our high performance systems would create too much heat and noise, water cooling is preferred. Cooling water can be from any source, but the following basic requirements are needed:

  • Water should be clean.
  • Water temperature should be between 5 and 30°C (41 to 85°F).
  • The pressure delta between the inlet and outlet should be 200 kPa (30 psi).
  • The flow rate specified for the equipment must be available at all times.

Because the quantity of water required may be too expensive to draw from a city water system, some customers select external cooling systems that re-circulate the water. This is especially beneficial when more than one system is involved, as one cooler can handle multiple systems. There are two types of coolers:

  • Evaporative coolers, which use the evaporation of a water spray to cool the re-circulating water. This method still consumes water and cannot cool to lower temperature.
  • Chilled coolers, which use a refrigeration system to cool the water. This system then uses an air cooled condenser to expel the heat outdoors.

Either system may use ethylene glycol (anti-freeze) mixed with the water to extend the temperature range of the cooling loop, mostly to avoid freezing. The use of anti-freeze makes the cooling less efficient, which means a higher overall flow rate is required. All ESPEC water cooled systems include a water regulating valve that only allows as much water as is required to maintain the outlet water temperatureof 35°C (95°F). The GPM (gallons per minute) value ESPEC specifies is a maximum flow rate. More at Wikipedia: Chillers, Cooling towers