Ongoing progress in electrification means that the onboard electrical system of today’s vehicles is reaching its limits. The automotive industry is responding to this challenge by introducing a 48 volt electrical system. This makes it possible to carry out the necessary optimisation in wiring cross-sections and current-carrying capacity. Bertrandt has developed a solution that enables 48 volt starter generators to be comprehensively tested. The company has invested around € 610,000 in this system.

All tests using the innovative test bench are carried out on the basis of the VDA 320 / LV 148 standard. The system is used to validate machine tests, e.g. power curves, efficiency measurements, control electronics tests, e.g. verification of control behaviour, compliance with customer-specific parameters, simulation of vehicle driving profiles and functional tests after vehicle or engine endurance testing.

A special feature of the test bench is cloud-based test bench monitoring. The customer has the possibility to view the current test status at any time using a smartphone, tablet or notebook. Speed, voltage and load profiles as well as other data are displayed.

“We are one of the industry’s first service providers to offer a test bench for 48 volt starter generators and were able to apply our many years of engineering experience and expertise in the field of generator development. We are very pleased that our solution has been so well-received by our customers. This new test bench enables us to make a vital contribution towards further advancing the complex issue of electric mobility,” said David Brandt, Team Leader for Validation, Testing and Integration at Bertrandt, who had overall responsibility for planning and implementing the new test bench.