Specifically designed for secondary battery module and pack tests, the Chroma 17040E Regenerative Battery Pack Test System offers ultimate precision, safety, and efficiency. The main features include energy recovery, parallel channels, high power for battery applications, and high accuracy in voltage and current measurement as well as drive cycle simulation.

Precision

High-precision Measurements for Improved Product Quality

The auto voltage/current range function switches between multiple ranges. When there is a dynamic change between large or small currents, the test system automatically adjusts to the right range to optimize the measurement accuracy.

• Voltage accuracy: ±(0.02% of reading ± 0.02% of full scale)
• Current accuracy: ±(0.05% of range)

▲ Auto voltage ranges

▲ Auto current ranges

High-frequency Sampling for Battery Pack Capacity Capture

The high-frequency sampling measurement technology reaches a 50kHz sampling rate to ensure dynamic measurement accuracy. Other battery chargers and dischargers use software to read current values for power computing; however, limited data sampling speed could result in large errors when calculating the dynamic current capacity. Chroma increased the V/I sampling rate and added a double-sampling integrator, so the 17040E test system is able to provide capacity calculation with much higher accuracy. When the current changes, the data is not lost and the transmission speed is not affected.

• V/I sampling rate: 50kHz (per 20μs)

▲ Chroma's charging/discharging sampling speed

▲ Competitors' charging/discharging sampling speed

Quick Response Testing for Battery Pack Limit Verification

Chroma 17040E supports dynamic driving profile simulation (waveform), which simulates the current and power states of actual driving conditions to comply with NEDC, FUDS, and HPPC standards. The quick current response enables optimized charge/discharge switch control; the current is smooth without overshoot to avoid damage to the battery.

• Current slew rate: 2ms (-90% to 90%)

▲ Discharge to charge
Current slew rate < 2ms (-90% to 90%)

▲ Charge to discharge
Current slew rate < 2ms (-90% to 90%)

Dynamic Driving Profiles for Actual Use Simulation

Battery packs are used under quick and irregular current conditions. Chroma 17040E performs actual dynamic charge/discharge waveforms to simulate working conditions and verify the response of the battery pack in real-life applications. Users can set the test steps to read a specific Excel file with stored current/power waveforms.

▲ Actual driving profile simulation

▲ Compliant with test standards

▲ Profile simulation data loading

Safety

Bidirectional Circuit for Power Supply Protection

The bidirectional circuit architecture allows highly efficient recycling of the discharge energy. Chroma 17040E accurately controls reverse current changes, the AC current waveforms are smooth and show changes in real time, and the design meets the grid requirements without contaminating other equipment on the grid. When any abnormalities on the power grid are detected, the test system will swiftly cut off the main circuit power supply to protect its safety.

• Regenerative discharge efficiency >93%
• THD <3％
• PF >0.99

▲ Transition from discharging to charging

▲ Transition from charging to discharging

Energy Recovery Design for Personnel Safety (Option)

VDE test requirements, in short, are the main items to consider when the generator is connected to a low-voltage distribution network on the grid. Even when using multiple devices, they can maintain the safe and reliable operation of the grid in accordance with the German Energy Industry Law and with the voltage limits in the DIN EN 50160 regulations. The optional equipment meets the VDE-4105-AE test requirements with the following protection functions:

• Voltage protection:
  • V < 0.8Un
  • < 0.2s / V > 1.1Un
  • < 0.2 s / V > 1.15Un
  • < 0.2s
• Frequency protection:
  • f < 47.5Hz
  • < 0.2s / f > 1.5Hz
  • <0.2s
• Islanding detection: < 5 sec.

Multiple Output Protections for Battery Test Risk Control

Chroma 17040E meets all test requirements for secondary battery packs and offers a high degree of stability and safety. The charge/discharge protection will stop the test when it detects any abnormal test status. The internal firmware and hardware provide multi-layered protection. Protection parameters of the test procedure are loaded directly into the charge/discharge unit to provide multiple alarms and protection modes.

• Voltage protection:
  • over charge
  • over discharge
  • delta voltage change
• Current protection:
  • over current
  • over capacity
  • delta current change
• Other protections:
  • over temperature
  • wire loss
  • over power
  • CC-CV transition time
  • Abnormal DC output insulation protection (optional)

Software and Hardware Protections for Battery Cells (Option)

The Chroma BatteryPro software can integrate with third-party hardware with charge/discharge protections that will stop the test when detecting any abnormal conditions. A designated data logger can read the charge/discharge voltage and temperature of multiple cells and use the measured data to set the protection conditions. Similarly, a designated battery management system (BMS) data acquisition system can read multiple sets of BMS data through CAN bus and RS-485 interfaces, and then convert the data for protection conditions. An additional Isolated DIO Card can be integrated into the Chroma test system for controlling the high-side/low-side driver signals of device, with function support for digital output, digital input, safety channel output, safety input from external devices, and digital input and output for alarms, cut-off, and power off.

• Data logger with test data protection
• BMS data acquisition system with test data protection
• Digital I/O card with signal control

Efficiency

Multiple Control Commands for Test System Expansion

Users can develop their own application software to operate the 17040E test system by utilizing SCPI commands, LabVIEW drivers, LabWindows drivers, and CANbus commands. Additionally, with Chroma's robust integration capabilities, the system can be customized and integrated into automatic battery pack testing architectures. Various external signal interfaces (CANbus, Ethernet, Analog I/O) are provided to support hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) test platforms.

Flexible and Diverse Configurations

The 17040E series offers two model options: 17040E-1700V and 17040E-850V.

Parallel Synchronization for High Power Charging (HPC)

Chroma 17040E uses parallel synchronization to perform high-power testing with instant current slew synchronization. There is no delay in the slew time between the main channel and the auxiliary channel, which prevents current staircase waveforms from being generated. Users can connect up to two devices of the same model in parallel, and can operate the channels independently or in parallel. The test system provides customizable fixtures and allows parallel running of the output channels.

• Max. power 1.2MW; max. current 4,800A
• In dynamic current mode (waveform), rated power <600kW, current rise time 1ms (10％-90％)
• In dynamic current mode (waveform), rated power 800kW-1.2MW, current rise time 10ms (10％-90％)