The Q-Lab Q-SUN Xe-3-HE Flat-Array Xenon Arc Test Chamber with Humidity Control is a full-size xenon arc weathering tester for laboratories that need controlled full-spectrum light, temperature and relative humidity in a large flat-array format. The Xe-3-HE model uses three 1800 W full-spectrum ozone-free xenon arc lamps, a 45 x 72 cm specimen tray, SOLAR EYE irradiance control and Model E dual touchscreen operation. It is designed for technical buyers testing coatings, plastics, automotive materials, textiles, packaging, sealants, printed materials and selected three-dimensional components where sunlight, heat and humidity need to be simulated under repeatable laboratory conditions. For laboratories comparing Q-SUN Xe-3 configurations, the Xe-3-HE is the humidity-control model without water spray, back spray, dual spray or chiller.
Test Standards Supported
The Q-SUN Xe-3-HE supports xenon arc weathering and lightfastness methods where the selected cycle can be run with irradiance, chamber air temperature, black panel or insulated black panel temperature and relative humidity control. Because this HE configuration does not include water spray or chiller operation, method cycles requiring spray or lower chamber air temperature should be reviewed against the correct Xe-3 configuration before purchase.
- ASTM G151, exposure of non-metallic materials in accelerated test devices using laboratory light sources.
- ASTM G155, xenon arc exposure of non-metallic materials.
- ISO 4892-2, plastics exposed to laboratory xenon arc light sources.
- ISO 16474-2, paints and varnishes exposed to laboratory xenon arc light sources.
- ASTM D2565, xenon arc exposure of plastics intended for outdoor applications.
- ASTM D4459, xenon arc exposure of plastics for indoor applications.
- ASTM D6695, xenon arc exposure of paints and related coatings.
- ASTM D7869, automotive coating exposure, subject to cycle and spray requirements.
- SAE J2412, accelerated exposure of automotive interior trim components.
- SAE J2527, accelerated exposure of automotive exterior materials, subject to cycle requirements.
- AATCC TM16 and AATCC TM169, textile lightfastness and weathering methods.
- ISO 105-B02, ISO 105-B04, ISO 105-B06 and ISO 105-B10, subject to cycle requirements.
Configuration Notes
- This Xe-3-HE model includes relative humidity control.
- This model does not include water spray. For front spray, review Xe-3-HSE.
- This model does not include back spray. For front and back spray, review Xe-3-HBSE.
- This model does not include dual spray. For a second spray liquid, review Xe-3-HDSE.
- This model does not include a chiller. For lower CAT operation, review Xe-3-HCE or Xe-3-HSCE.
- This model supports simultaneous chamber air temperature and BP or IBP temperature control.
Key Features
- Full-size Xe-3 flat-array chamber for high-capacity xenon arc weathering and lightfastness testing.
- Three 1800 W full-spectrum ozone-free xenon arc lamps for realistic sunlight simulation.
- Relative humidity control from 20-95% for humidity-influenced weathering cycles.
- Large 45 x 72 cm flat specimen tray for standard panels, larger specimens and selected product parts.
- SOLAR EYE irradiance control with selectable 340 nm, 420 nm or TUV control points.
- Model E feature set with dual touchscreen displays and improved irradiance/lamp efficiency.
- AUTOCAL UC20 compatibility for irradiance control and black panel thermometer calibration.
- Air-cooled xenon lamp design for practical operation and reduced maintenance complexity.
- Durable flat optical filter options for daylight, window glass and extended UV simulation.
- Standard Ethernet datalogging plus USB data transfer and software update support.
Performance Specifications
- Chamber type: full-size flat-array xenon arc weathering test chamber.
- Light source: 3 x 1800 W full-spectrum ozone-free xenon arc lamps.
- Specimen capacity: 55 specimens at 51 x 102 mm.
- Specimen area: 45 x 72 cm, depth x width.
- Specimen orientation: 10° measured from horizontal.
- Maximum evenly distributed specimen weight on tray: 23 kg.
- Black panel temperature range: 45 to 110 °C in light, 40 to 90 °C with IR filter and 25 to 50 °C in dark.
- Insulated black panel range: 50 to 120 °C in light, 45 to 100 °C with IR filter and 25 to 50 °C in dark.
- Chamber air temperature range: 35 to 65 °C in light and 25 to 50 °C in dark.
- Relative humidity range: 20 to 95%.
- Humidifier water consumption: 44 L/day, with actual use dependent on test and laboratory conditions.
- External dimensions: 91 x 178 x 99 cm.
- Weight: 190 to 233 kg, depending on configuration.
- Electrical requirements: 208 V or 230 V, 3-phase at 39 A, 50/60 Hz; 400 V, 3-phase at 26 A.
Specimen Capacity and Configuration
The Q-SUN Xe-3-HE uses a large flat-array specimen tray with a 45 x 72 cm exposure area and capacity for 55 specimens at 51 x 102 mm. The near-horizontal 10° specimen orientation is useful for flat panels, coated coupons, plastics, textiles, packaging samples and selected three-dimensional parts. Q-Lab notes that Xe-1 and Xe-3 specimen capacities are listed without specimen holders, so holder selection should be confirmed during configuration.
The Xe-3 chamber is particularly useful when the laboratory needs more usable exposure area than a Xe-1 tabletop chamber can provide. The listed maximum evenly distributed specimen weight is 23 kg when the specimen tray is used. If the specimen tray is removed from the Xe-3, the chamber floor can hold evenly distributed specimens up to 90 kg, which may be useful for selected assemblies or larger components where the method permits that loading arrangement.
Operating Specifications
The Xe-3-HE is a non-spray and non-immersion configuration, so it follows Q-Lab’s non-S and non-W water requirement category. The listed inlet water pressure is 0.7 to 6.2 bar, with water purity greater than 200 kΩ.cm, conductivity less than 5 μS/cm and total dissolved solids less than 2.5 ppm. Q-Lab recommends maintaining pH 6 to 8 for best performance. Because this model does not include water spray, water use is related to humidity generation rather than spray exposure.
For facility planning, the Xe-3-HE external dimensions are 91 x 178 x 99 cm, with a listed weight range of 190 to 233 kg depending on configuration. Q-Lab notes that the rear Xe-3 vent duct can be removed to reduce the chamber depth from 99 cm to 88 cm for movement through small doors. Electrical requirements are 208 V or 230 V, 3-phase at 39 A, or 400 V, 3-phase at 26 A, with voltage tolerance of plus or minus 10% and 50/60 Hz operation.
The recommended laboratory ambient condition is 23 ± 5 °C and 50 ± 25% relative humidity. Q-Lab states that operation outside these conditions can cause temperature, humidity or other faults, and the chamber should not be operated above 36 °C ambient or above 80% RH. These details are important for Australian and New Zealand laboratories planning installation in production quality areas, shared test laboratories or rooms with seasonal ambient variation.
Why Choose the Q-Lab Q-SUN Xe-3-HE?
The Q-Lab Q-SUN Xe-3-HE is a strong choice for laboratories that need full-size flat-array xenon arc testing with humidity control, but do not require water spray or chiller operation. Compared with Xe-3-HSE and Xe-3-HBSE, it keeps the configuration focused on light, heat and relative humidity exposure without spray hardware. Compared with Xe-3-HCE, it does not include the chiller package, so it is best suited to methods that do not require lower chamber air temperature operation.
For technical buyers, the main commercial value is controlled repeatability in a large flat-array chamber. The Xe-3-HE combines three air-cooled xenon lamps, SOLAR EYE irradiance control, humidity control, BP or IBP plus CAT control, AUTOCAL calibration and a large specimen tray. This supports repeatable, documented weathering and lightfastness testing for quality control, R and D screening, supplier comparison, formulation validation and customer specification work.
John Morris Group supplies Q-Lab capital test equipment across Australia, New Zealand, Sri Lanka and the Pacific Islands, supporting customers with model selection, facility planning, calibration workflow, installation considerations and after-sales support. Contact John Morris Group for a quote on the Q-Lab Q-SUN Xe-3-HE Flat-Array Xenon Arc Test Chamber with Humidity Control, including confirmation of the correct optical filters, detector assembly, specimen holders, calibration accessories, water supply, electrical services and installation requirements for your test programme.
