Solar radiation (sunshine) testing is one of the basic tests required for any military equipment planned to be deployed in the open and therefore subject to direct radiation from the solar source. The effects of this radiant energy can generally be divided into two groups or classes, heat effects and photochemical effects. Heat effects on exposed equipment can raise the internal temperatures of the equipment substantially above the ambient air temperature. Temperatures in excess of 160oF have been recorded in parked aircraft exposed to the sun while ambient air temperature was in the 90oF range.
Photochemical effects of sunlight may hasten the fading of colors and lead to the deterioration of plastics, paints, rubber and fabrics. The combined effects may lead to the outgassing of plasticizers in some materials along with discoloration and a reduction in transparency. The solar light spectrum has been accurately measured over the wavelength range of 280 – 3000 nm as well as the power distribution within this range, and it is this range that we would seek to reproduce in the Solar Radiation test. Reproducing this entire range using lamp sources however can be quite challenging.
| ● | WEWON-MIL-STD-810H-505.7 | Equipment Model |
| ● | 1300×500×500mm (L×W×H) | Max Test Sample |
| ● | 1500×1000×1000mm (W*D*H) | Inner Room Size |
| ● | 2400×1200×2200mm (W*D*H) | Machine Appearance |
| ● | MIL-STD-810 Test Method 505.7 Solar Radiation 1400×800mm | Irradiation Area |
| ● | Lamp Lighting ≥500 hours | Lamp Service Life |
| ● | 2 Pieces Original Imported | Quantity of Lamps |
| ● | Specific glass filter | Filter Device |
| ● | Scattering type bean grain aluminum plate combination | Lampshade Reflector |
| ● | 280～3000 nm Method 505.7 | Energy Control Point |
| ● | 1120W/m2 ±47W/m2 | Irradiation Intensity |
| ● | ≤10%｜MIL STD 810H Test Method 505.7 – Solar Radiation Sunshine Machine | Irradiation Deviation |
| ● | Built-in solar eye wireless optical fiber sensor, Radiation intensity advanced high-tech | Irradiation Intensity Adjustment |
| ● | Automatic wind speed adjustment 0.25～1.5M/S | Wind Speed |
| ● | +35～+60℃ (Adjustable) | Air Temperature Range |
| ● | +35～+60℃ (Temperature) | Monitoring of Sample Surface |
| ● | Test room or set light cycle: 20～75%RH; Dark cycle: 45～95%RH | Relative Humidity |
| ● | -3℃~ +3℃ | Temperature Uniformity |
| ● | ± 5%RH Tolerance | Humidity Uniformity |
| ● | The upper and lower position of the sample holder of the flat sand bed can be adjusted | Sample Device |
| ● | Allow GB 150.7A Procedure I, Procedure II | Test Conditions |
| ● | Running time of the whole machine:0～9999H can be set | Set Running Time |
Sources emitting ultraviolet wavelengths between 280 and 400 nm tend to be quite costly and their performance deteriorates quickly. Some of the MIL-STD recommended sources such as xenon arc and carbon arc fall into this category. In fact, it was reported that the first commissioned sunshine test facility in 1945 fell short of the contract requirements due to several deficiencies, one of which was the amount of UV that could be produced at the test item. Cost and reliability issues are why many test labs have chosen to perform only Procedure I with source lamps covering the visible and infrared spectrum range of 400 ~ 3000 nm (0.4 – 3.0 μm)
| Exposure Method | Large experimental chamber space, flat sand bed sample rack can be placed three-dimensional irregular components |
| Light Source System | Original imported 4.5KW metal halide lamp, lighting system is electronic special power supply with advanced trigger system. |
| Filter | Specific special filter components, so that the filtered spectrum fully meets the requirements. |
| Irradiation Energy Control | Digital setting of light intensity, real-time monitoring and automatic adjustment, in line with the standard, monitoring the full spectrum of 280-3000nm. |
| Temperature Control | The air temperature control of the test chamber truly reflects the exposure temperature under direct sunlight. The measured data is processed by the CPU and displayed on the color screen in the form of numbers, graphs, curves, etc., without shutting down for observation. |
| Humidity Control | Energy-saving and environmentally friendly nanotechnology and PTC high temperature dual humidification system, humidification tube anti-dry protection device, water consumption as small as 0.5L/min, test humidity is accurate and stable. |
| Data Output Method | The instrument is equipped with a USB port, which can directly use a U disk to export the test data according to the EXL form file and read it on the computer. |
| Data Display Mode | 7-inch weinview large color touch screen display and control, Chinese operation, multiple test monitoring modes (number, curve, table), convenient control, intuitive and clear |
| Environmental Protection | Adopt brand-new American high-tech aging box control design technology, energy-saving control mode, low noise of running parts |
| Standard Setting | Built-in 11 groups of programs can customize a variety of test standards, and save them forever, directly choose to enter to start the test. |
| Protection Design | Comprehensive safety monitoring and protection design, which can realize unattended and safe operation throughout the process |
| Remote Monitoring | Realize remote monitoring and operation of mobile phone APP and computer network, saving working time and more convenient operation |
| Monitoring interface | Friendly interface includes monitoring screen, status monitoring, running curve, etc. |
MIL-STD-810H, Method 505.5 outlines two procedures for performing the Solar Radiation test. Procedure I requires a cyclic exposure based on the diurnal cycle and is most useful for determining heating effects on exposed materiel as well as materiel enclosed within a container. Procedure II is a steady state (non-cyclic) exposure most useful for evaluating actinic (photochemical) effects of ultraviolet radiation on materiel since it represents an accelerated test with a factor of 2.5.
MIL STD 810H Test Method 505.7
Solar Radiation Sunshine Controller System
MIL STD 810H Test Method 505.7
Solar Radiation Sunshine Controller System
MIL STD 810H Test Method 505.7
Solar Radiation Sunshine Controller System
MIL STD 810H Test Method 505.7
Solar Radiation Sunshine Controller System
| Display Device | 7-inch color touch screen man-machine interface | Control System |
| Operating Language | Chinese/English Language | |
| Operation Mode | Program operation (darkness, light cycle mode) or fixed value operation | |
| Control Content | Temperature, relative humidity, irradiance, lamp temperature, irradiance exposure timer, over-temperature temperature setting, running time setting, temperature and humidity irradiance running curve monitoring, running status monitoring, alarm function monitoring | |
| Test Standard Definition | Fixed value custom test space and 11 sets of program custom memory test standard space | |
| Alarm Protection Function 1 | Over-temperature, fan overload, lamp overheating, water tank shortage, power supply lack of phase, humidifier to prevent dry burning, etc. | |
| Alarm Protection Function 2 | When each fault occurs, the display screen directly indicates the cause of the machine fault and its troubleshooting method and the dynamic protection function is activated. | |
| Data Storage | Automatic storage of large space, can be stored for 6 months | |
| Data Export | USB port U disk export function | |
| Remote Connect | Mobile APP, computer network remote operation control | |
| Compressor Brand | French “Tecumseh” Fully Enclosed Compressor | Cooling System |
| Cooling Medium | Fin-type high-efficiency evaporator, strong anti-frosting ability, small heat transfer temperature difference, very fast cooling rate | |
| Heat Exchange System | Air-cooled condenser, high-speed cooling and heat exchange effect by Marl’s high-power fan |
When the primary concern is testing for heat effects, the question is often asked why an oven or chamber test for enclosed equipment could not be used in place of the Solar Radiation test. The primary reason is that ovens and chambers transfer heat from a uniform ambient atmosphere surrounding the test item, whereas the solar test transfers heat through direct radiation. The directional effect of radiant heating produces temperature gradients through the test item that are not replicated in ovens or temperature chambers.
When a Solar Radiation test is required, Perform the Solar Radiation test prior to the High Temperature test, as the product temperature measured in the solar chamber may need to be used as the ultimate high operating temperature for the product. Consider the orientation of the test item within the solar chamber so as to replicate the in-use conditions with respect to both the direct radiant light energy and the airflow direction. This will affect both the temperature gradients and any cooling effects provided by the airflow.
When testing to Procedure I, remember that several consecutive cycles will likely be required for the product to achieve the ultimate high operating temperature for the most critical area of the test item to be within 2℃ of the previous cycle. This usually means 3 to 7 cycles. If operation of the test item is required, operational times will need to coincide with the peak response temperature of the test item in each cycle which will not coincide with the peak radiation intensity.
| Lamp Protection | In order to make the lamp work normally without damage, this equipment uses a cooling system to interlock with the lamp. If the cooling system fails, the lamp will automatically go out and the whole machine will stop working. |
| Lamp Temperature | The protection system has an independent lamp over-temperature setting protection to extend the service life of the lamp |
| Water Shortage Protection | All water refilling parts are automatically refilled, such as long-term water shortage of water tank parts, automatic protection and alarm |
| Humidification Protection | Humidification tube is protected against dry burning and over-temperature, and humidification box is protected against water shortage |
| Power Phase Sequence | Lack of phase, phase sequence, leakage, protect the machine from damage when the power fails |
| Motor Protection | Motor thermal overload protection to protect the stable operation of the motor |
| Protection Setting | The control system interface has temperature and humidity set value protection, if the temperature and humidity in the box exceed the set value, an alarm will be activated |
| Numerical Protection | Automatically save the running value after power failure |
Reproduction of the required environment for the Solar Radiation test requires a chamber space in which the ambient air temperature and airflow over the test item can be controlled as well as a solar light source which may consist of a single source in the case of arc-type lamps or a multiple source array in the case of metal halide or incandescent type lamps. The distance of the light source from the test item may be varied to achieve the required irradiance. Airflow over the test item can significantly impact test results. When MIL-STD-810D introduced the “cycling for heat effects” (Procedure I) the guidance for airflow was to use airflow as low as possible consistent with achieving satisfactory control of the ambient air temperature at the test item or between 0.25 and 1.5 m/s (50 to 300 ft/min).
| Lamp Source | Imported metal halide lamp simulates the most realistic spectral energy, which can simulate the spectral value of sunlight to reach more than 98% | Light Source System |
| Optical Filter | Imported specific filter combination | |
| Turn on the Power Supply | Advanced and reliable intelligent electronic power converter makes the light stable after the xenon lamp is lit | |
| Irradiance Control | Wireless optical fiber solar eye, closed loop system automatically adjusts the lamp output to provide the most stable and energy-saving radiation output. | |
| Reflector Lampshade | The lampshade is made of special material, and it contains diffused bean-shaped reflective aluminum sheet. | |
| Heater Parts | Chrome-plated wire heater or nickel-chromium alloy electric heater | Heating System |
| Temp Control | Advanced PID solid state relay SSR continuous control mode｜Military Standard 810 (MIL-STD-810) Testing | |
| Original Humidification | Professional SUS316# nanotechnology original, durable, no rust, long life, 3 times larger humidification capacity than traditional humidifiers | Humidification System |
| Low Water Consumption | The dedicated and self-developed xenon lamp aging box humidifier reduces the water consumption in the damp and heat test compared with ordinary humidification systems: 38℃ and amp; 5%RH constant 24-hour water consumption is less than 0.2L/min, saving costs and reducing labor costs. | |
| Low Power Consumption | Humidity conditions have a large heat-to-humidity ratio and low humidification power. Compared with the ordinary humidifiers currently used by other manufacturers, the energy consumption of constant humidification at 38℃ and amp 95%RH is reduced by nearly 80%. | |
| Humidifier Protection | Humidification tube prevents dry burning and overheating protection. |
This MIL STD 810H method 505.7 – Solar radiation sunshine test system is used to evaluate the ability of equipment directly exposed to the environment of solar radiation during the hot season of its life to withstand the thermal or photochemical effects of solar radiation. MIL STD 810H test method 505.7-The thermal effect of solar radiation (sunshine) can cause thermal aging, oxidation, cracks, chemical reactions, softening, melting, sublimation, viscosity reduction, evaporation and expansion of electronic and electrical products.
The current guidance from MIL-STD-810G has changed for procedure I to 1.5 to 3.0 m/s (300 to 600 ft/min) in recognition of better field data. The requirement for peak radiation intensity at 1120 W/m2 has changed little over the history of the Solar Radiation test although there have been slight changes to the spectral energy distribution based on updated measurement techniques of the actual solar source. It is suitable for determining the thermal effect of direct solar radiation on equipment and the photochemical effect of direct solar radiation on equipment.