Test Laboratories
Our 8,600 sq ft test center is equipped with the latest devices and technologies. This allows us to perform lightning current tests on products, installations, and systems. Of course, the tests performed in our test center are based on the relevant standards. Thanks to our active involvement with international and national standardization committees, we are always up-to-date.
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DEHN Test Center Services
- Test of surge protective devices (SPDs) according to IEC 61643-11, IEC 61643-21 and UL 1449
- Test of surge protective devices (SPDs) used in photovoltaic systems according to EN 50539-11
- Test of external lightning protection components according to IEC 62561
- High-voltage test with lightning impulses according to IEC 60060-1
- Complete lightning current tests for low-voltage distribution boards according to IEC 62305-1, IEC 62305-4 and IEC 61643-12
- Surge immunity test according to IEC 61000-4-5
- Surge immunity test for telecommunication systems according to ITU-T and CCITT
- Lightning current tests for wind turbines, photovoltaic systems and cell sites according to IEC 62305-1 and IEC 61400-24
- Functional test for low-voltage switchgear installations according to IEC 60947
- Computer simulations, modelling and field measurements
- Other test services are available on request
Our lightning impulse current laboratory is able to generate lightning currents with a peak value up to 400 kA (10/350 µs). It is one of the most powerful of its kind in the world.
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System components of the charging infrastructure, e.g. wall boxes and charging stations for e-mobility
Are your charging facilities such as wall boxes and charging stations reliably protected against lightning and surges so that electric vehicles can be charged safely, even during thunderstorms?
Carry out system tests in our DIN EN ISO/IEC 17025 accredited DEHN Test Center so that you can take suitable optimisation measures and provide conclusive proof of how well they protect both the charging device and electric vehicle against the effects of lightning and surges.
- Testing of the total discharge current of multipole SPDs inside charging equipment according to IEC 61643-11
- Determination of the effective protection level based on IEC 61643-11 / testing of the residual voltage, e.g. at charging interfaces.
- Testing of the coordination of lightning current and surge arresters for the dielectric strength of the charging system based on IEC 61643-12
- Lightning current tests on charging infrastructure components according to IEC 62305 and IEC 61643-11
- Immunity tests according to IEC 61000-4-5.
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PV systems and components
Devices and components used in photovoltaic systems must be tailored to meet the special requirements of PV systems. The practical behaviour must be tested in realistic laboratory simulations particularly in case of devices which take over protective and switching functions in PV systems.
Experience has shown that conventional d.c. sources are not suited for exactly simulating the behaviour of PV system components.
The DEHN Test Center features a simulator which is specifically designed for PV requirements.
Its dynamic i/u characteristic allows to realistically simulate switching processes in PV systems.
Technical parameters
Our current PV simulator allows to perform tests for
- Overcurrent protective devices
- Surge protective devices and
- Mechanical switching devices
with individual values up to UOC = 1500 V, ISC = 100 A, P = 150 KWp.
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Wind turbines and components
For engineering offices and for manufacturers and component suppliers of wind turbines, we offer engineering and test services according to IEC 61400-24 Lightning Protection of Wind Turbines. The tests show whether the protection measures taken are effective.
Our services:
- Lightning current tests on bearings and gearboxes of the mechanical drive train
- High current tests on the receptors and down conductors of rotor blades
- High current and high voltage tests on rotor blades
- System-level immunity tests of important control systems such as the pitch control or aircraft warning light
- Tests on customer-specific prewired connection units to protect the electrical installation
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Railway systems and equipment
Do your systems function even under extreme conditions?
Use our engineering and test services to optimise your solutions.
Our services:
- Tests on prewired connection units for protecting electrical and electronic systems
- Lightning current tests on signalling system components, low-voltage distribution boards and system cabinets as per IEC 62305, IEC 61343-12 and IEC 61000-4-5
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Mobile radio systems and components
Make sure that your systems also work reliably under extreme conditions, e.g. lightning current load.
The test results of our engineering and test services allow you to optimize your protection concept according to IEC 61643-1 “Surge protective devices connected to low-voltage power systems”
Test services
- System-level immunity test, e.g. for stand-alone cell sites. Induction test due to lightning currents.
- Testing the mechanical strength and immunity of mobile radio distribution boards in case of lightning currents.
- Testing the lightning current carrying capability of cable systems for mobile radio applications.
Equipment
In our test facilities, we are able to generate impulse currents and impulse voltages of different amplitudes, rise times and duration. This allows us to simulate a range of different interference phenomena.
Multiple impulse current generator
According to IEC 62305-1, a multiple stroke on average consists of three to four strokes. The typical time intervals between them are about 50 ms. A multiple impulse current generator allows to simulate such multiple strokes in the laboratory.
Lightning impulse current generators
Our testing facility generates extremely high lightning currents up to 400 kA (10/350 μs). This allows us to test lightning protection systems for installations requiring maximum protection.
Impulse current generators
Our impulse current generators simulate the voltage load on insulating clearances under lightning effects.
Hybrid generators
This test allows us to verify the surge immunity, which is required for EMC tests of electronic devices. Impulse current generators are used to test telecommunications equipment according to e.g. the requirements of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
Follow current transformer for AC applications
In combination with a 100 kA (8/20 μs) impulse current generator, the powerful single-phase transformer allows to perform work cycle tests for SPDs of AC systems.
Power current source for DC applications
The powerful DC generator consists of a three-phase transformer with a B6 bridge rectifier. In combination with a 50 kA (8/20 μs) impulse current generator, work cycle tests for SPDs of DC systems can be performed.
Photovoltaic simulator
The laboratory simulation of the equivalent circuit of a loaded solar cell consists of a parallel connection of diodes and an ideal current source. The open-circuit voltage can be set via a variety of single diodes which are connected in series. A fast constant current controller simulates an ideal current source for a sufficiently long period of time. This proven concept is suited to dynamically simulate the non-linear i/u characteristic of a photovoltaic generator.
Multiple impulse current generator
According to IEC 62305-1, a multiple stroke on average consists of three to four strokes. The typical time intervals between them are about 50 ms. A multiple impulse current generator allows to simulate such multiple strokes in the laboratory.