Compact Air-Cooled Xenon Exposure Without a Lamp-Cooling Water Circuit
The DERUI DR-H301 xenon arc test chamber uses three air-cooled xenon lamps to expose materials under programmed light and temperature conditions. Its compact workspace and air-cooled lamp arrangement suit laboratories that need a smaller xenon system and whose required lightfastness or weathering method matches the chamber’s verified optical configuration.
Confirm Irradiance and Filters Before Claiming Standards Compliance
ASTM G155 covers operation of filtered xenon-arc apparatus for material exposure. ISO 4892-2 covers xenon-arc exposure of plastics in the presence of moisture, while ISO 105-B02 and related methods address textile colour fastness to artificial light.
The current DR-H301 parameter table publishes illuminance in lux. Lux is weighted to human visual response and is not a substitute for method-defined spectral irradiance in W/m² or narrow-band irradiance such as W/(m²·nm). Before ordering, confirm the exact standard edition, filter system, irradiance control point, temperature sensor and wetting requirement.
How the Air-Cooled System Is Positioned
Air-Cooled Lamp Arrangement
Three published 2.5 kW xenon lamps reject lamp heat through an air-cooling arrangement, avoiding the dedicated lamp-cooling water loop used by the DR-H301-2.
Compact Test Workspace
The 500 × 760 × 500 mm workspace is intended for specimens that fit the verified exposure area and holder geometry—not simply any sample that fits through the door.
Programmable Light and Temperature
The controller supports exposure programming. Required light level, temperature, wetting and timing must be checked against the governing method.
Moisture-Exposure Hardware
The published configuration includes a stainless-steel water tank. Confirm whether the quoted arrangement provides specimen spray, humidity or another moisture function required by the selected test.
Published DR-H301 Technical Configuration
The following values come from the current product parameter table. The signed technical agreement and approved quotation remain controlling.
| Model | DR-H301 |
|---|---|
| Internal dimensions | 500 × 760 × 500 mm (D × W × H) |
| External dimensions | 1050 × 1100 × 1650 mm (D × W × H) |
| Temperature range | RT+10°C to 70°C |
| Published fluctuation / uniformity | ≤±0.5°C / ≤±2°C |
| Published water-tank temperature | 37°C ±3°C |
| Light source | Air-cooled xenon lamp tubes |
| Lamp configuration | Three lamps, 2.5 kW each |
| Glass filters | Three published pieces; spectral classification must be confirmed |
| Published illuminance | 15,000–150,000 lx, adjustable |
| Stainless-steel tank | 640 × 450 × 150 mm |
| Power supply | AC 380 V ±10%, 50 Hz, three-phase five-wire |
DR-H301 Air-Cooled vs DR-H301-2 Water-Cooled
| Selection point | DR-H301 air-cooled | DR-H301-2 water-cooled |
|---|---|---|
| Product URL | /xenon-arc-test-chamber/ | /xenon-arc-weathering-test-chamber/ |
| Published lamp configuration | Three × 2.5 kW air-cooled lamps | One operating 6.5 kW water-cooled lamp plus published spare |
| Internal dimensions | 500 × 760 × 500 mm | 950 × 950 × 850 mm |
| Published light unit | Lux illuminance | Spectral range published; method-specific irradiance still requires confirmation |
| Selection basis | Compact size, air-cooled lamp arrangement and verified method fit | Larger rotating rack and verified water-cooled method fit |
Keep both pages because they represent different equipment. Neither cooling method is automatically superior; the correct choice is the configuration that meets the required spectrum, irradiance, uniformity, climate, specimen capacity and laboratory utilities.
Suitable Test Objectives and Materials
- Textiles and colourfastness: where the specified artificial-light method and filter arrangement are supported.
- Plastics and coatings: comparative colour, gloss, cracking, chalking and property-retention studies.
- Rubber, inks and packaging: screened for light-related fading, embrittlement or surface change.
- Automotive and building materials: only when the required automotive or construction-material procedure is verified against the chamber configuration.
The chamber produces the exposure environment. Colour difference, gloss, tensile retention and other post-exposure properties require separate measurement instruments and documented acceptance criteria.
Air-Cooled Xenon vs Fluorescent UV
Choose Xenon Arc When
The method requires filtered xenon radiation or when UV and visible-light colour response must be represented by the approved optical system.
Choose Fluorescent UV When
The governing method specifies UVA or UVB fluorescent lamps together with condensation and/or spray cycles.
Do not select equipment from a general claim that one method is “faster.” Different materials and failure mechanisms respond differently to spectrum, temperature and moisture.
Recommended Test Workflow
1. Freeze the Method
Record the standard, edition, cycle, filter, light-control unit, temperature, moisture and evaluation criteria.
2. Define Specimens
Provide dimensions, quantity, backing, masking, mounting orientation and any reference material.
3. Verify Equipment
Check lamp hours, filters, sensor calibration, exposure area, temperature and moisture functions.
4. Program Exposure
Enter the approved sequence and document setpoints, interruptions and specimen positions.
5. Evaluate Change
Condition and measure specimens at the intervals required by the material procedure.
6. Report Completely
Record apparatus, filter, light setting, temperature, moisture, duration, deviations and evaluation results.
Calibration and Factory Acceptance
A useful factory acceptance test should go beyond confirming that the lamps switch on. Depending on the selected method, acceptance can include:
- Light sensor type, unit, control point, calibration status and adjustment range
- Spectral filter identification and installed configuration
- Exposure uniformity across the declared usable specimen area
- Temperature fluctuation, uniformity and sensor verification
- Water-tank, spray or moisture-cycle operation where supplied
- Program timing, alarms, data records, electrical safety and door interlock
Installation, Safety and Maintenance
Air-cooled lamps remove the need for a dedicated lamp-cooling water circuit, but the equipment still requires adequate ventilation, stable ambient conditions and the site utilities stated in the technical agreement. Intense light, heat and high-voltage ignition require a functioning door interlock and trained operators.
- Keep air inlets, outlets, lamp housings and fans clean and unobstructed.
- Record lamp hours and replace lamps based on verified output and manufacturer instructions.
- Inspect filters for contamination, damage and spectral ageing.
- Maintain the water tank and any spray circuit using the specified water quality.
- Verify light and temperature sensors according to the laboratory quality system.
Information Required for Quotation
- Standard, edition and exact exposure procedure
- Required light unit, irradiance or illuminance setpoint and filter class
- Specimen material, dimensions, quantity and holder arrangement
- Temperature, wetting, humidity and cycle requirements
- Required exposure area and uniformity acceptance
- Site voltage, ambient temperature, ventilation, water and drainage
- Calibration, FAT, reporting and spare-parts requirements
Frequently Asked Questions
Is DR-H301 a weathering chamber or a lightfastness chamber?
It can support the exposure purposes verified by its final optical, temperature and moisture configuration. The exact standard determines whether the application is lightfastness, artificial weathering or a custom comparative exposure.
Can 150,000 lx prove compliance with ASTM G155 or ISO 4892-2?
No. Lux alone does not establish the required spectral irradiance, filter performance, uniformity or environmental cycle. Request the method-specific optical specification and acceptance test.
What is the main advantage of air-cooled xenon lamps?
They avoid a dedicated lamp-cooling water circuit and can simplify installation. Actual suitability still depends on optical performance, specimen capacity, heat removal and the governing method.
Can DR-H301 replace the water-cooled DR-H301-2?
Not automatically. The two models have different lamp arrangements and workspace dimensions. Compare the required method, filters, light control, exposure area, climate functions and site utilities.
How often should lamps and filters be replaced?
Use measured output, calibration results, operating hours, component condition and the supplied maintenance limits. A universal replacement interval should not be copied from a different lamp or chamber.
What after-sales support is available?
DERUI provides a one-year whole-machine warranty, lifetime technical consultation, remote video guidance and operator training. Overseas installation can be arranged for an additional charge, with spare-parts support available for up to ten years.
Related Weathering Equipment
For the larger water-cooled configuration, see the DR-H301-2 xenon arc weathering test chamber. For fluorescent UV methods, review the UV accelerated weathering tester. Browse the wider xenon chamber range when the required exposure method has not yet been finalized.
Confirm the Optical Configuration Before Ordering
Send DERUI the standard edition, exposure cycle, light-control unit, filter requirement, specimen layout and site utilities. The engineering team will confirm whether DR-H301 fits the method and document the acceptance conditions before quotation.
