Environmental Testing

Heat, cold, humidity, vibrations, or mechanical stress can significantly affect the reliability of electronic products. With professional environmental simulation, you can determine whether your product can withstand the stresses it will face in later use. At TQ-Product-Compliance-Center, we carry out comprehensive environmental testing to demonstrate function, quality, and reliability under realistic environmental conditions. 

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What are the benefits of environmental testing?

A professional environmental simulation makes it possible to examine the behavior of a product under defined environmental conditions in a controlled way. Compared with field tests, tests can be carried out faster, reproducibly, and in compliance with standards. At the same time, development errors can be identified much earlier.

Typical goals of an environmental test are:

  • Identify vulnerabilities early
  • Improve product quality
  • Reduce development risks
  • Avoid complaints
  • Prove service life
  • Support market access and certifications

Our services in environmental simulation

Thermography

Using thermography, we analyze the temperature distribution of your product under real operating conditions. This allows us to identify thermal weak points at an early stage, assess how your product behaves under realistic usage conditions, and identify areas of excessive heat and recommend targeted improvements.

 

Our Tests

  • Non-contact measurement of surface temperatures without the use of thermocouples 
  • Localization of hot spots and thermal anomalies 
  • Definition and validation of measurement points for climate and environmental tests

 

Test and Inspection Equipment

Infrared camera

  • Measurement range: -20° C to +850° C
  • Measurement accuracy: 0.1 K at 30° C
  • Size of test specimens: 4 mm2 up to industrial systems

Climatic stress

Since temperature, humidity, and temperature fluctuations significantly affect the function and service life of electronic products, in environmental simulation we test whether your product also operates reliably under extreme climatic conditions. Based on the results, we support the development of your product in order to specifically optimize cooling concepts, heat management, or humidity management.

 

Our Tests

  • Cold tests down to -40° C according to DIN EN IEC 60068-2-1 
  • Heat test up to +180° C according to DIN EN IEC 60068-2-2 
  • Damp heat (constant) according to DIN EN IEC 60068-2-78 & DIN EN IEC 60068-2-67
  • Damp heat (cyclic) according to DIN EN IEC 60068-2-30 & DIN EN IEC 60068-2-38
  • Temperature change test according to DIN EN IEC 60068-2-14
  • Temperature shock test according to DIN EN IEC 60068-2-14

Test and Inspection Equipment

  Test Area Climate Range
Walk-in climate chamber 5.1 m x 3.0 m x 2.8 m
Door dimensions: 1.2 m x 2.2 m
-40 °C to +90 °C
Humidity from 20% to 95%
Temperature/climate cabinets Up to 1.0 m x 1.5 m x 1.0 m -40 °C to +180 °C
Humidity from 20% to 95%
Walk-in temperature chamber 4.7 m x 3.5 m x 2.4 m
Door dimensions: 1.0 m x 2.0 m
+5 °C to +60 °C
2-chamber temperature shock cabinet
(Transfer time: 10 s; up to 50 kg)
0.77 m x 0.61 m x 0.57 m Chamber 1: +50 °C to +220 °C
Chamber 2: -75 °C to +70 °C

Mechanical stress

Mechanical vibrations and impact loads are among the most common causes of material fatigue. In the TQ-PCC, we simulate these external vibrations through vibration tests or shock tests and thus assess the reliability of your product in the field. The results help identify the causes of damage or failures and derive appropriate design countermeasures.

 

Our tests

  • Vibration testing (sinusoidal) DIN EN IEC 60068-2-6
  • Vibration testing (noise) DIN EN IEC 60068-2-64
  • Shock testing DIN EN IEC 60068-2-27
  • Resonance search
  • Endurance tests

Test and Inspection Equipment

  • Usable mounting area (depending on each axis and test requirements):
    • 1000 mm x 700 mm
    • 900 mm x 900 mm
    • 600 mm x 600 mm
  • Mounting grid: 50 mm x 50 mm, M 12
  • Max. weight (depending on the test requirements): 200 kg
  • Peak force: 20 kN
  • Max. acceleration: 50 g
  • Max. displacement: ±22 mm
  • Max. velocity: 1.2 m/s
  • Frequency range: 1 Hz to 2 kHz
  • Excitation modes: sine, shock and random vibration
  • Measurement technology:
    • 16 input channels for control/analysis

Packaging test & transport simulation

During transport and logistics, vibrations, impacts, and shocks act on the product and packaging. Our transport and packaging tests realistically replicate these stresses and show how reliably your product withstands transportation. In this way, we identify weaknesses at an early stage and work with you to develop measures to optimally protect both product and packaging.

 

Our Tests

  • Free Fall / Drop Test
  • Transport Simulation
  • Impact Test

Applicable Standards

  • ISTA 1A / 2A / 3A
  • ASTM D5276 / D999
  • ISO 2248 / 2247 / 8768 / 2876
  • DIN EN 60068-2-31

Test and inspection equipment

Drop test device

  • Test specimen weight:
    • Precision drop tester: up to 75 kg
    • Quick-release hook: up to 500 kg
  • Drop height: up to 1.2 m
  • Impact surface: concrete floor

Impact Testing Device

  • Max. acceleration: 12 m/s2
  • Circular displacement: 25 mm
  • Max. package size: 1.2 m side length

IP protection rating test

The IP protection rating test evaluates the protection of an enclosure against contact, solid foreign objects, and water in accordance with the specified IP protection class. At TQ-PCC, we test protection against access to hazardous parts, the ingress of dust (including Talkum dust), and the ingress of water. The results serve as proof for certifications and market approvals.

 

Splash chamber

Dust Chamber

Tests & Test Equipment

  Splash Water Test Dust Test
Protection classes IPX1 to IPX8 IP1X to IP6X
Applicable standards
(others on request)
IEC 60529 + A1 + A2
ISO 20653
EN 60068-2-18
Test chamber 1.5 m x 1.5 m x 1.5 m 1.0 m x 1.0 m x 1.0 m
Test specimen dimensions Max. edge length 80 cm
Test weight Max. 100 kg

Sound measurement

Using professional sound measurements, we analyze noise sources and evaluate the acoustic properties of your product. Based on the measurement results, we identify optimization potential and support you in meeting the acoustic requirements according to your specifications.

 

Our tests

  • Manufacturer comparison of components 
  • Measurement of sound pressure, frequency spectrum, sound power, loudness (≥ 0.08 sone) and tonalit

Applicable standards

  • ISO 7779
  • DIN 45631
  • DIN 45635-1

Testing and Inspection Equipment

  • Low-reflection room (125 Hz to 20 kHz, background noise level <17 dB(A))
  • Mobile measuring equipment

Wear tests

Our wear tests realistically simulate long-term stresses caused by climate, mechanics, and contamination. The TQ-PCC evaluates the effects on function, durability, and reliability and, together with you, identifies suitable measures to optimize the product design.

 

Our Tests

  • Sunlight exposure testing
  • Force-displacement measurement
  • Abrasion, Pencil Hardness, Cross-Cut
  • Endurance tests (plugging in, moving)
  • Tumble drum test
  • Label peel test
  • Scratch test

How environmental simulation works at TQ-PCC

We provide comprehensive support throughout the environmental simulation. In close coordination with you, our team defines the specific requirements for your product and creates a suitable test plan based on them. The environmental tests take place directly at TQ-PCC – test slots are often available at short notice. We then evaluate the results, document all evidence, and, if desired, support you in optimizing your product.

Step-by-Step Procedure for the Environmental Simulation in the TQ-PCC

Your benefits

Contact

Do you have questions about environmental simulation and environmental testing or would you like support with a specific project? Contact us now. Our experts will be happy to assist you personally and without obligation.

 

FAQs on Environmental Simulation

What is meant by environmental simulation?

In environmental simulation, real environmental conditions are reproduced under controlled laboratory conditions. These include, for example, temperature, humidity, vibrations, mechanical shocks, dust, or water. The aim is to assess the reliability, safety, and service life of a product under realistic stress conditions.

Why is environmental testing important?

Environmental tests show how a product performs under the stresses of its intended operating environment. They help identify material damage, design flaws, and failure risks at an early stage. This reduces rework, improves product quality, and helps avoid field complaints.

Which products are suitable for environmental tests?

Environmental testing is suitable for a wide range of electrical and electronic products. These include PCs, data processing and communications equipment, industrial electronics and control systems, household appliances, medical technology, and other products that are exposed to climatic or mechanical stresses during use. Through environmental simulation, it is possible to assess at an early stage whether a product will reliably withstand the conditions of later use.

What IP protection classes are there?

The IP protection rating describes the protection of an enclosure against the ingress of solid foreign objects, dust, and water. The designation consists of two digits: the first describes protection against contact and foreign objects, the second protection against water.

Protection against foreign objects and dust:

  • IP1X: Protected against solid foreign objects from 50 mm
  • IP2X: Protected against solid foreign objects from 12.5 mm
  • IP3X: Protected against solid foreign objects from 2.5 mm
  • IP4X: Protected against solid foreign objects from 1.0 mm
  • IP5X: Dust protected
  • IP6X: Dust-tight

Water protection (IPX):

  • IPX1: Protected against dripping water
  • IPX2: Protected against dripping water, tilted 15°
  • IPX3: Protected against spray water
  • IPX4: Protected against splashing water
  • IPX5: Protected against water jets
  • IPX6: Protected against powerful water jets
  • IPX7: Protected against temporary immersion
  • IPX8: Protected against continuous immersion

When should an environmental simulation be carried out?

Ideally, environmental simulation is carried out already during development in order to identify weaknesses at an early stage, before high costs arise in Series Production or market launch. In addition, environmental testing is often part of customer requirements, quality documentation, or certification procedures and should therefore be integrated into project planning at an early stage. The TQ-PCC is at your side throughout the entire process.

Our USPs

  • Accredited Test Laboratory since 1993
  • Short Lead Times for Test Slots
  • Development-Supporting Testing
  • Market Access for 200+ Countries
  • Reduced Risks & Development Costs
  • Product Compliance for Global Markets

Contact

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References

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