Integrated Testing System Measures Drive Train Performance

Sept. 4, 2014
HBM launched an integrated solution for eDrive testing.

HBM, Inc. introduced an integrated system for eDrive testing that measures the performance and efficiency of electric motors and inverters. The solution combines HBM’s T12 or T40 torque sensor, the GEN3i data acquisition system and as an option, the Quantum 1609B temperature satellite to provide synchronous, dynamic and continuous acquisition of mechanical and electrical signals from an electric drive system. In addition to making temperature, torque and rotational measurements, the eDrive testing solution can make measurements from as many as 18 current and voltage channels at voltages up to 1,000 V, at a sampling rate of up to 2 MS/s.

The system incorporates an eDrive software GUI developed exclusively for electric motor and inverter testing. For noise immunity, optional high voltage 2-wire shielded cables with safety banana connectors are provided in various lengths. For additional safety from high voltages and currents, an optical Ethernet interface offers complete display and control from a remote location or control room via an external PC. The mechanical torque and rotational signals are recorded by the use of a rotating torque sensor with an integral slotted disc for speed sensing.

Software provides a complete characterization of an electrical drive train. The software analyzes the raw data and displays real time results, such as true, reactive and apparent power and efficiency calculations. It also allows for more extensive verification and analysis of the corresponding raw data. A freely programmable formula database can be used to determine equivalent circuit diagrams, calculate air gap or cogging torques for motor analysis plus calculation for space vector, part transformation and THD to analyze inverter behavior.