Unveiling the future of battery testing

Tektronix business unit, EA Elektro-Automatik (EA), has announced an enhanced EA BTS 10300 Battery Test System.

The system provides industry-leading power density, offering 300kW in a single 42U-high rack and occupying only 6.5ft2 production-floor space. This compact, automated battery cycler and test system is a direct response to the challenges faced by manufacturers in testing EV batteries efficiently and effectively. Specifically developed to meet the rapidly evolving demands for higher-power battery technologies in the EV industry and beyond, the enhanced test system is ushering in a new era in battery testing technology.

"The EA BTS 10300 Battery Test System represents a leap in testing technology, offering significant cost and space savings while being environmentally friendly," shares Russ Gaubatz, EA Elektro-Automatik senior applications engineer. "Its power regeneration and efficient operation cut electrical and HVAC costs, and its compact design requires only a third of the floor space compared to competitors. With high voltage capabilities and autoranging, it's a future-proof investment that pays for itself by adapting to evolving testing needs."

"EA Elektro-Automatik's EA BTS 10300 complements Tektronix's portfolio by adding advanced battery testing capabilities, crucial for the evolving needs of the EV market," said James Hitchcock, general manager at Tektronix. "EA's focus on innovation and efficiency matches the Tektronix commitment to delivering high-quality, reliable testing solutions. Together, we're enhancing our offerings to meet our customer's testing and power conversion needs."

This compact EV battery test rack is a game-changer, delivering substantial power in minimal space, a crucial benefit for the production EV battery test market. Its ability to parallel racks for a massive 3.84MW of testing capability underscores its scalability and efficiency.

Delivering an unparalleled 2000VDC capacity for high-voltage EV battery tests, the system can supply and sink up to 2,400A per rack, reaching a total capacity of up to 30,720A. The system's high-current capability is critical for rigorous battery module tests and battery cell tests, including pulse testing, which demands exponentially higher currents. Previously, achieving such performance needed a costly, custom-built system. Now, the series produces this high-level functionality as a complete COTS turnkey solution, encompassing battery cycling, drive cycle simulations, insulation resistance tests, and more.

Featuring EA Elektro-Automatik's cutting-edge bidirectional power supply with SiC-based switching, the system supplies efficient and rapid operation. This system reduces electrical costs by regenerating power back to the grid with up to 96.5% efficiency and minimises HVAC expenses due to its low heat generation. With system slew rates at least twice as fast as competitors and fast data acquisition rates of up to 1.5kHz, it provides precise and comprehensive EV battery testing.

The system's true auto-ranging capability sets it apart. It provides for a wide range of voltage and current adjustments without interrupting the test cycle. This feature is particularly beneficial for adaptive testing requirements, making it a future-proof investment for evolving high-voltage EV battery test needs.