Long-Term Shutdown & Storage Care for Thermal Shock Chambers
In many global laboratories, equipment may experience planned downtime due to project transitions, factory holidays, or facility relocations. If a thermal shock chamber is expected to be out of operation for an extended period, simply turning off the power is not enough. Proper sealing and preservation techniques are required to protect the delicate internal sensors, prevent mechanical seizing, and maintain the integrity of the refrigeration fluids.
At Wewon Environmental Chambers Co., Ltd., we have seen countless instances where equipment is left dormant during long summer holidays or winter breaks, only to fail upon restarting. Ambient moisture can aggressively attack the stainless steel interior, while stagnant compressor oil can settle, causing a dry start that permanently damages the cooling system. Furthermore, pressurized air left in the pneumatic lines can lead to internal condensation and rust.
If your testing facility plans to shut down the thermal shock chamber for more than 1 month, you must execute the following 5-step comprehensive preservation protocol. This ensures your machine wakes up in perfect condition, ready to resume highly accurate temperature cycling.
| Component / Area | Preservation Standards & Actions (Shutdown > 1 Month) |
|---|---|
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⚡ 1. Complete Electrical Disconnect
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Action: Physically cut off the main power supply to the machine. Do not simply rely on the standby button on the touch screen. Throwing the main breaker protects the sensitive internal PCB boards from unexpected electrical grid surges or lightning strikes during the shutdown period. |
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🧽 2. Deep Cleaning & Drying
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Action: Thoroughly clean the entire interior of the test room and ensure it is completely bone dry. Any residual water, sweat from hands, or chemical spills left on the stainless steel surfaces will initiate galvanic corrosion over weeks of inactivity. Leave the chamber door open for a few hours before final sealing to let all moisture escape. |
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💧 3. Anti-Mildew & Humidity Control
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Action: Place an appropriate amount of industrial desiccant (such as silica gel packets) directly inside the testing workspace. Close the door tightly. This absorbs any trapped ambient humidity, preventing mildew growth and protecting the sensitive internal temperature/humidity sensors from oxidation. |
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💨 4. Pneumatic Depressurization
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Action: Completely exhaust all residual compressed air from the pneumatic gas circuits and transfer cylinders. Leaving the system pressurized for months puts unnecessary strain on the solenoid valves and allows compressed moisture to pool and rust the internal air lines. |
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🔄 5. Periodic “Exercise” (Crucial)
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Action: It is highly recommended to power on the machine at least once a month. Run the chamber empty (unloaded) at a moderate temperature for approximately 30 minutes. Why it matters: This brief operational cycle drives out accumulated moisture in the pipework and circulates the refrigerant. Most importantly, it prevents the compressor’s lubricating oil from heavily settling at the bottom, protecting the mechanical gears from a dangerous “dry friction” start when the machine is officially brought back online. |
Proper long-term storage is an essential skill for sustainable laboratory management. Executing this 5-step checklist ensures that your Wewon thermal shock chamber remains in a state of suspended animation, fully protected from environmental degradation. We particularly want to emphasize the importance of Step 5 (Periodic Exercise). Just like a car engine left sitting for months, an industrial compressor needs occasional movement to keep its internal seals lubricated and pliable.
When you are ready to bring the equipment back online after a long shutdown, remove the desiccants, verify the pneumatic air pressure, and run a short, unloaded test profile to confirm all systems are responding accurately. Should the machine trigger any alarms upon waking up, consult our troubleshooting guide or reach out directly to Wewon’s technical engineering team.
