Since October 2018, the Emitech laboratory dedicated to electromagnetic compatibility tests and electrical tests has been offering its customers the use of the only test bench in France dedicated to electrical/electronic equipment for electric vehicles. This equipment, installed in the group's new buildings in Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, applies variations in the electrical grid over 400 volts and 800 volts.
The market for electric vehicles is promising and has grown considerably in recent years. After starting their writing at the beginning of 2015, the car manufacturers have now finalized their specifications for this type of vehicle. Emitech conducts its testing campaigns based on these specifications and the current standards to which subcontractors are subjected.
The engineers at Emitech closely followed the evolution of the specifications, and worked for a year on the subject in order to propose the first means of testing in France for electric vehicles, as in line as possible with the specifications of the manufacturers. The company has invested 200,000 euros for this new service.
The bench consists of 2 sources 4 quadrants. In nominal terms, it can deliver voltages of 570Vdc under 24 amps. With 2 identical sources, a matrix allows them to be paired either in series or in parallel, to double these values (-1140 volts or 48 amps).
The tests look at the different power profiles and their variations on the linearity of the battery voltage of an electric vehicle. It is thus possible to determine the correct performance of the electrical variations of future equipment on board in these vehicles such as heating, air conditioning or chargers and thus validate their intrinsic quality.
Operators have undergone training specific to the NF C18-550 standard to conduct safety testing (operations on vehicles and thermal, electric or hybrid engines with an on-board electric power source and electrical risk prevention.
As this new means allows for the optimal implementation of this type of testing, the laboratory is experiencing a strong demand which is expected to increase further given the number of programmes launched by the various manufacturers in the electric vehicle market.
Find out more: www.emitech.fr