What is the Xenon Arc Weather-Ometer SI4000?

An Xenon Arc Weather Ometer SI4000 is an environmental test apparatus that utilizes a water-cooled xenon-arc lamp as its light source. It employs circulating water to cool the lamp and incorporates a rotating drum specimen rack to simulate the full solar spectrum. This equipment is primarily used to evaluate the weather resistance and durability of materials—such as coatings, plastics, automotive components, and textiles—when exposed to various climatic conditions, including sunlight, rain, temperature, and humidity.

Structural Composition

The enclosure is fabricated using CNC machine tools, resulting in a sleek and professional appearance. It features non-reactive handles for easy operation. The interior chamber is lined with imported mirror-finish stainless steel (SUS304), while the exterior is constructed from powder-coated A3 steel, enhancing both its aesthetic quality and cleanliness. A viewing window made of laminated glass is provided on the front of the unit. The equipment consists of several primary subsystems: the main enclosure, heating, humidification, refrigeration/dehumidification, display and control, air circulation, safety protection, and various accessories. A 50mm-diameter test port is included to allow for the routing of external power or signal cables. The control system for the Xenon Arc Aging Test Chamber utilizes a high-precision, digital, microprocessor-based controller. It offers a display resolution of 0.1°C and employs a PT100 platinum resistance temperature sensor. A PID self-tuning controller enables both constant and programmable control of temperature and humidity. The system employs a heat-balance method for temperature and humidity regulation, utilizing a coordinated PID+SSR control scheme; an automatic calculation function allows for real-time adjustments to changing conditions, ensuring superior stability. A sequence controller manages the timing of light exposure and temperature cycles, while a black-panel thermometer monitors the temperature of the test specimen surface. An integrated timer tracks exposure duration (displaying either irradiation time or total exposure time). The door frame is fitted with a silicone rubber seal, and the unit includes a stainless steel specimen rack. The system is powered by a Tecumseh hermetic compressor. A multi-blade circulation fan ensures robust airflow, eliminating "dead zones" and maintaining uniform temperature distribution throughout the test chamber. The air circulation design—incorporating both supply and return paths—meets rigorous testing standards and facilitates rapid temperature recovery after the door is opened. The heating and cooling systems operate independently, which improves efficiency, reduces testing costs, extends equipment lifespan, and lowers the failure rate. The Xenon Lamp Aging Test Chamber is equipped with the following safety protection devices: over-temperature protection for the entire unit; phase loss/reverse phase protection; overload protection; over-pressure protection for the refrigeration system; and a timer function. Additional safety features include leakage protection, operation status indicators, and an automatic shutdown mechanism triggered by fault alarms.

Test Methods

In addition to photodegradation testing, this apparatus can be configured as a climatic aging test chamber by incorporating a water-spray system, allowing for the simulation of material damage caused by outdoor moisture. The water-spray function significantly expands the range of climatic environmental conditions that the equipment can replicate. Xenon-arc aging test chambers are essential for many moisture-sensitive materials, and numerous test protocols specifically require humidity control capabilities. Products stored in retail outlets, warehouses, or other environments may also undergo significant photodegradation due to prolonged exposure to fluorescent, halogen, or other artificial light sources. This apparatus can simulate the damaging light conditions found in commercial lighting environments and accelerate the testing process through higher-intensity exposure. Xenon-arc aging test chambers evaluate a material's lightfastness by exposing it to ultraviolet, visible, and infrared radiation. The system utilizes a filtered xenon-arc lamp to produce a full-spectrum light that closely matches natural sunlight. When properly filtered, the xenon-arc lamp serves as an effective tool for assessing a product's sensitivity to direct light or to the longer-wavelength visible light that penetrates through sunlight.

Inspection Procedure

Cooling System Pressure Leak Testing: This method helps identify leaks in the exposed sections of the refrigeration system, as well as internal leaks. If no nitrogen leakage is detected in the refrigeration system, the issue may be a blockage (clog) within the system. Refrigeration Compartment Leak Testing: Open the service access panel to locate the low-pressure pipe and capillary tube connected to the upper low-temperature compartment. When preparing for the test, seal one end of the capillary tube. At the connection point of the low-pressure pipe, braze a 5mm x 30mm copper tube and attach a three-way service valve. If the nitrogen pressure drops, it indicates a leak in the low-pressure evaporator. Evaporator Leak Testing: Open the rear service access panel of the unit. Inside, you will find the brazed low-pressure pipe and capillary tube. For testing, connect to the low-pressure side by brazing a 5mm x 300mm copper tube, then attach a three-way service valve equipped with a 2.4kg-rated pressure gauge. Pressurize the system with nitrogen; if the pressure fails to hold, inspect the condenser, filter-drier, solenoid valve, and capillary tube connections—any identified leaks must be repaired by brazing. Refrigeration Cycle Leak Testing: Since the evaporator in the low-temperature chamber consists of two sections, the leak test must be performed in two parts. First, expose the piping by removing the foil covering; locate the two low-pressure copper pipe joints, seal them, and braze on copper test fittings. Repeat this process for the piping located in the lower-left section. Install quick-connect fittings onto these copper ports. Pressurize both sections with 1 MPa of dry nitrogen and monitor the pressure gauge; a drop in pressure indicates an internal leak within the evaporator. During pressure testing, always account for changes in ambient temperature, as a drop in ambient temperature will cause a corresponding decrease in system pressure.

Summary

Aging test chambers are applied across a wide range of sectors, including electronics and electrical engineering, automotive and motorcycle manufacturing, aerospace, rubber and plastics, and new energy storage. In the new energy sector, the reliability assessment of energy storage system enclosures and sealing structures is particularly critical. These systems are frequently exposed to environmental stressors such as significant diurnal temperature fluctuations and high humidity (common in coastal regions). As the sole physical barrier between the external environment and the internal components—such as battery modules and high-voltage connectors—any failure of the enclosure or seals can trigger a chain reaction of risks, including moisture ingress, degraded insulation, metal corrosion, and even high-voltage arcing or short circuits.