Want Your Equipment to Survive the Summer Comfortably? You Need to Cool It Down!

Summer brings high temperatures, heavy rainfall, and thunderstorms. How can we ensure our high-precision instruments survive this sweltering summer without disruption to their operation?

Remember to cool down your instruments; avoid sudden temperature changes.

As we all know, temperature is the most important environmental factor. High temperatures can negatively impact the use of most precision instruments. Even within the specified operating temperature range, temperature fluctuations can cause components made of different materials to warp and deform due to their different coefficients of thermal expansion. This is especially true for certain measuring instruments, which are prone to errors in their reference values, leading to distorted measurement results. Such temperature changes can also cause drift in the parameters of electronic components, affecting testing accuracy and the lifespan of these components.

Note the following points: ① When using instruments, keep the ambient temperature within the instrument's required standard temperature range. This can be achieved by installing an air conditioner. ② The air conditioner should be installed carefully, not too close to the equipment. ③ Minimize temperature fluctuations caused by frequently turning the air conditioner on and off and by personnel entering and exiting the equipment. ④ Avoid direct contact with some small precision instruments to prevent temperature-related effects.

High humidity promotes corrosion; timely dehumidification prolongs instrument lifespan.

In laboratory instruments, researchers typically pay attention to various environmental factors and make timely adjustments. However, many companies, while focusing on temperature control during production, often overlook the subtle but significant impact of humidity on equipment.

In some regions, summers are rainy and humid, leading to excessively high indoor humidity. The primary effect of high humidity on large instruments is corrosion. Metal components and circuits within these instruments will corrode due to excessive humidity. In complex integrated circuits, electronic components not only corrode but are also prone to short circuits. Most instrument malfunctions are caused by poor contact or short circuits due to circuit corrosion. If the situation is severe and not properly maintained, the instrument's precision will decrease, and its lifespan will be significantly shortened.

Several points to note: ① Install dehumidifiers to adjust indoor humidity promptly; ② Because laboratory temperatures are lower than outdoor temperatures in summer, personnel entering and exiting will bring in high-temperature, saturated water vapor from outside; this water vapor condenses on instruments, causing excessive humidity; frequent personnel movement should be minimized to maintain stable humidity in the laboratory; ③ In hot weather, hands tend to sweat; it is best to wear gloves to avoid direct contact with instruments.

Lightning Protection During Thunderstorms

Summer brings frequent thunderstorms, and a lightning strike can be fatal to instruments. The most dangerous are direct lightning strikes and induced lightning strikes. Direct lightning strikes can directly damage electronic components, easily causing fires. Induced lightning strikes can enter along power lines, causing the equipment to discharge, leading to short circuits and further damage.

Note the following: ① To prevent lightning current from entering the equipment, consider disconnecting the instrument from the antenna, ground wire, and power line during thunderstorms. ② Use surge arresters, isolation transformers, filters, etc., to prevent lightning from entering the circuitry.

The above are some daily protection tips compiled by the marketing department of Youpu. For further questions, please consult relevant professionals. Sichuan Youpu Ultrapure Technology is a professional manufacturer of laboratory pure water machines and ultrapure water machines, providing professional after-sales guidance and daily maintenance and upkeep of instruments. For any questions, please call our national customer service hotline: 400-884-6567!