Energy Device Environmental Test Center

Test facility summary/features

A new laboratory testing service facility created at the site of the Utsunomiya Test Center, and specializing in reliability tests/safety tests of energy devices (solar batteries, secondary batteries, power semiconductors). The world's first test facility able to evaluate all devices for power generation, storage and control.
The rise of eco-friendly vehicles such as hybrids and electric vehicles is seeing growing demand for environmental tests of devices such as secondary batteries and power semiconductors. For example, demand is growing for external short-circuit tests, nail penetration tests and other types of safety tests to ensure the high safety and stable performance needed by vehicle secondary batteries. A new building with safety equipment was constructed to meet this demand. The Center meets client demand for external short-circuit tests with a lineup of the latest equipment developed in-house, including the world's first unit able to support a maximum current of 24 kA.

Power generation <Solar batteries>

• The Center carries out many types of outsourced evaluation tests of solar batteries exposed to demanding environments. Samples ranging from material components to finished modules are evaluated.

Main test types (power generation)

Design qualification test	Thermal cycling test
	Humidity freeze test
	Thermal (heat retention) test
	Damp heat test
Long-term reliability testing	HAST (Highly Accelerated Stress Test)
	Rapid thermal cycling test
	PID (Potential Induced Degradation) test (chamber method)
	Temperature/humidity cycle test
	Saltwater cycle test
	Temperature/humidity testing for compliance with IEC and other standards
Analysis/evaluations	EL (electroluminescence) testing
	Electrical measurement

Power storage <Secondary batteries>

• For charge/discharge test, the Center supports pulse tests requiring large currents (up to 360 A) or rapid variation.
• A new test unit developed in-house supports safety tests such as nail penetration tests and 24 kA external short-circuit tests (a world-first).
• Supports safety tests for compliance with the UN Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods needed for lithium-ion batteries.
• Provides safety tests, test consulting and certification services for vehicle battery packs/modules and energy storage devices.
• Provides a comprehensive range of tests/certification services for compliance with UNECE Regulation R100.

Main test types (power storage)

Performance test	Cycle life test
	Storage life test
	Temperature characteristic test
	Constant-current load characteristic test
Safety test	Electrical test	External short-circuiting (newly developed in-house)
		Overcharging
		Over-discharging
	Mechanical test	Vibrations
		Shock
		Crushing
		Nail penetration
	Environmental test	Temperature cycles
		Thermal shock
		Heating
		Low pressure

Control <Power semiconductors>

• With power devices evolving toward control of higher voltages and currents, the Center is drawing on its wealth of experience to provide power device evaluations (environmental tests, powered radiator jigs, electrical stress tests, analysis/evaluations).

Main test types (control)

Reliability test	Power cycling test (newly developed in-house)
	High-voltage insulation evaluation test (2,500 V)
	High-temperature/humidity bias test
	HAST (Highly Accelerated Stress Test)
Environmental test	Air to air thermal shock test (supporting temperatures of up to 300°C)
	Liquid to liquid thermal shock test
	Heat retention test
	Cold retention test
	Damp heat test
	Low air pressure test