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When selecting environmental test chambers, analyze the user-interface options carefully, based on your requirements. These may include:
- control-panels inputs such as keypads, dials, and switches for adjusting ranges and controlling parameters
- analog devices -- such as gauges, meters and old-style chart recorders (see image below)
- digital alphanumeric displays
- display screen (may be touch screen)
Some environmental test chambers may include a programmable logic controller (PLCs) that can send/receive signals to/from the PLC. Programmable chambers often include a computerized interface and application-specific software so that they may be controlled/monitored remotely. Chambers may also be network and web-enabled.
above: A modern Reach-In type Temperature/Altitude/Humidity Environmental
Test Chambers from Russells Technical
Products
An environmental test chambers may offer the following outputs:
- analog voltage (normally a linear function of the measurement)
- analog current (such as 4-20 mA)
- pulse signals (may include: frequency or modulated frequency outputs such as sine waves, pulse trains, amplitude modulation (AM), and frequency modulation (FM))
- switches or relays (may be used in logic circuits to trigger alarms)
- radio signals (as in wireless broadband)
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