Testing and Certification

The VDE Institute is a national and international accredited organization in the field of testing and certification of electrotechnical devices, components and systems. Those products are tested for safety, electromagnetic compatibility and further product characteristics.

To support pre-competitively organized cooperations at key subjects of electro mobility VDE advises a standardization of test procedures during the development phase. Among other things they enable quick bench markings of different system solutions and facilitates manufacturers of components the quick and self-contained development work.

At March 25 2010 the Federal Office of Motor Vehicles increased the designation of the VDE Institute as a Technical Service of the Categories A and D to the field of electro vehicles. Now, the VDE Institute can carry out tests on electro vehicles for the receipt of the e1 marking. The basis are the Road Traffic Licensing Regulation, the Vehicle Component Regulation, directives and regulations of the European Union as well as regulations according to the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (ECE Regulations).

The designation includes the following testing areas:

Electronics:

• Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) according to ECE-R 10
• Alarm device according to 74/61/EEC
• Electronic immobilizer according to 74/61/EEC
• Electro vehicles according to ECE-R 100, safety of the electro vehicle

Noise emission:

• Acoustic signal according to ECE-R 28

• (lithium ion) batteries with/ without battery management system
  - safety tests, transport tests
  - performance tests
  - destruction tests
  - up to 1000 V / 250 A (resp. 500 A) and 200 Kg weight
• fuel cells
• charging systems and electric double layer capacitors
• joining techniques and connection technology, connectors (connector systems)
• control elements, e.g. relays, switches
• charging plugs
• rectifiers and inverters
• cables and cords
• testing during the development phase and construction tests
• EMC testing up to the whole electro vehicle for KBA approval according to ECE-R 100 (e marking)
• acoustic measurements (Class 1 reference room), incl. sound source locating
• chemical analyses
• environmental testing
• life cycle assessment