Testing

Show Report

Battery Show Europe 2021

Peter Donaldson reports with highlights of this show, at which ways of containing thermal runaway were at the fore If there was one theme that shone out from conversations at the Battery Show

New Products

CSM launches split HV measurement modules for confined spaces

CSM has unveiled its latest measurement technology solution for electric and hybrid vehicles where installation space is limited. Called the HV Breakout Module (BM) Split system, it provides high-frequency measurement of current, voltage and power directly in HV power cables as well as busbars. The split design allow measurements at points where there is not […]

Web exclusive

Feinmetall launches high-current contacts for battery testing and production

As currents produced by EV batteries get higher, the demands placed on the contacts in the systems used to check cell, module and general battery performance in testing and production are also increasing. High-performance contact probes are therefore growing in importance (writes Peter Donaldson). To that end, contacts manufacturer Feinmetall has launched a family of […]

Web exclusive

Project tests electric truck for work in the Arctic

Operating EVs in extreme temperatures is a demanding exercise, as lithium-ion batteries generally work best between 15 and 35 C, so a four-week trial conducted throughout February 2021 above the Arctic Circle in Sweden was a severe test of a truck and its charging infrastructure (writes Peter Donaldson). In the test, the battery-powered truck carried loads of 14 t of iron ore sludge over a 280 km round trip in temperatures down to -32 C, says Adam Holmer of power-as-a-service provider Vattenfall. The trial was a cooperative effort between Vattenfall, Volvo Trucks and dealer Wist Last och Buss, charger manufacturer ABB and mining company Kaunis Iron.

Web exclusive

Ground vibration testing of NASA’s X-57 Maxwell electric aircraft

Electric propulsion is spawning aircraft with diverse and novel configurations. The multiple motors, rotors, propellers and fans associated with distributed electric propulsion are shaping many complex and unusual forms in the quest to enhance lift and thrust, and to reduce drag through close aerodynamic coupling with airframes. One of the most important processes in their development is ensuring that they don’t suffer from damaging vibration. To that end, NASA has used equipment from Hottinger Bruel & Kjær (HBK) to collect and process accelerometer data in ground vibration testing (GVT) for its X-57 Maxwell aircraft.

Grid

Reducing models of EV behaviour

The development of e-mobility platforms requires a complex interplay between different engineering teams for the mechanical, thermal, electrical, control and software design. ROMs from 3D design tools can be substituted for 1D system simulation models to provide more accurate and detailed results, so teams can make an informed and correct design choice earlier.

New Products

CSM launches HV breakout modules with PowerLok connector system

Measurement technology supplier CSM has unveiled two ‘C’ (Connector) variants of its high-voltage breakout modules (HV BMs) for measuring current, voltage and power in EVs.

New Products

New online calibration tool enables access to test benches and test vehicles via web browsers

VEMAC has developed an online calibration tool (OCT) that allows full remote access to its integrated calibration and data logging functions. The OCT can be connected to a test bench, test vehicle or measurement system via CAN or Ethernet. It can be accessed via any web browser, eliminating the need for software licences. The user […]

Focus on...

Battery cooling

As liquid-based cooling for EV batteries becomes the technology of choice, Peter Donaldson explains the system options now available. Although there are other options for cooling EV batteries than using a liquid, it is rapidly taking over from forced-air cooling, as energy and power densities increase. It is emerging as the dominant technology...

New Products

High-voltage breakout module needs no power meters or current transformers

Measurement and data technology company CSM has unveiled a new HV breakout module designed to meet the international safety standards required for the use of equipment in HV applications on EVs. The company says it simplifies the instrumentation, improves accuracy and reduces costs compared with systems that have not designed for in-vehicle use. When combined […]