EV Charger Test Platform Handles Four Vehicles Simultaneously

Chroma Systems Solutions, a supplier of precision power conversion test and measurement solutions, has released an upgrade to the PowerPro 5 automated test software to allow its EVSE (electric vehicle supply equipment) test platforms to simultaneously evaluate up to four electric vehicle (EV) charge ports with the same or different communication protocols.

PowerPro 5 is an automated test software platform designed to work with Chroma’s C8000 automated test system for the test and development of EVSE platforms (EV chargers).  

PowerPro 5 EVSE software user interface. Image used courtesy of Chroma

With the added capability to simultaneously test multiple vehicles, the PowerPro 5 upgrade will accelerate OEMs' EVSE test process, reducing overall test times by as much as 40%.  

Growing Demand for EV Chargers

Reliable access to EV charging stations is widely recognized as a key component to the broader and continued adoption of electric vehicle technologies. Spurred by a combination of public and private investment, EVSE manufacturers are picking up the pace of platform development to meet long-term demand for EV charging stations.

Improving access to EV chargers is an important aspect of the U.S. government’s larger efforts to accelerate EV adoption. The recent Inflation Reduction Act provided significant financial incentives for EVSE infrastructure investments in the form of tax credits, along with $7.5 billion of direct funding for public EVSE infrastructure via the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

Testing EVSE Platforms

Like most complex systems, EVSE platforms require development and end-of-line production testing to validate their capabilities and maintain production quality. PowerPro 5 automated test software runs within Chroma’s larger C8000 EVSE automated test system, providing operators with a full software operating system and programmable user interface.    

As demand for charging infrastructure increases, EVSE suppliers are moving toward multi-port designs to improve accessibility and usage. With the upgrade, the PowerPro 5 software is now equipped with multi-threaded testing functionality that allows for simulating up to four vehicles being charged at the same time. In addition to more realistic test scenarios, simultaneous charge port testing will enable manufacturers to reduce overall EVSE platform test times by as much as 40%.   

C8000 EVSE ATE system with PowerPro 5 software. Image used courtesy of Chroma

The testing functionality can replicate vehicles using the same or different communication protocols, including GB/T, CCS, and CHAdeMO. The software can even model vehicle charging at different times of the day to test out power-sharing functionality with the grid or battery energy storage systems. 

Along with PowerPro 5, the Chroma C8000 EVSE automated test system incorporates all key components of an EVSE test platform, including an AC/DC source, AC/DC load, power meter, digital meter, and simulators designed to meet the range of international charging standards. The Chroma C8000 accommodates all the standard vehicle-to-charger communication protocols that allow a charging station to seamlessly transition between operating modes based on information communicated from the EV.