The high-voltage load setup based on the DS5386 High-Voltage Electronic Load Module from dSPACE has a compact and modular design. The compact units can be used flexibly with regard to currents per phase and number of phases as well as the type of source to be emulated. The system’s scalability allows for a combination of multiple high-voltage cabinets to further increase the test system’s power. Using the same hardware to emulate loads, such as electric motors, and sources, such as batteries, makes the systems cost-effective and easy to maintain. The energy flow in the system circulates without complex grid feedback, increasing efficiency while minimizing load and harmonic distortion on the mains supply. More components can be added to the emulator hardware, such as voltage ripple generators, a climate chamber, or precise conditioning units to control the cooling conditions for the device under test (DUT).

All of these features improve test coverage at reduced costs (compared to a dynamometer) and reduced development times. Furthermore, this high-voltage load setup makes it possible to carry out standardized tests (e.g., LV123 and ISO/DIS 21498) that previously required a mechanical test bench. The tests can be fully automated, can run 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and are 100% reproducible.