An inverter test bed is used to test and measure inverters under defined and reproducible conditions. The inverter converts the direct current supplied by a battery or rechargeable battery into a defined alternating current, for example to supply an electric drive. This energy conversion process can also take place in the opposite direction, for example when feeding electrical energy back into the grid from PV systems or during electrical braking, known as recuperation.
The major advantage of an inverter test bed is that electrical and thermal loads as well as realistic operating conditions can be simulated in a controlled manner in the laboratory. This can be done at an early stage of development, before the electric motor or battery is available, which is an advantage in overall vehicle development and reduces costs. In contrast to measurements in the vehicle or in field tests, environmental conditions, load profiles, voltages, currents and temperatures can be precisely controlled and repeated at any time on the testbed.
The test bed can be conditioned in terms of ambient temperature, humidity and cooling circuit conditions, enabling even extreme operating conditions to be reliably simulated. Furthermore, different motor types and power ratings can be tested variably without having to connect the inverter to different motors. Different charge states can be tested dynamically, as can different battery supply voltages.
