Dummy Load
Products
General
DLX.0 meets all the needs of modern laboratories, industry and workshops for testing and characterising cells, batteries and generators. The dissipative method has been chosen for its relative stability in terms of voltage and current reading accuracy. Its design has been optimised for assembled battery packs or single cells and can dissipate up to 5kW and can be coupled in a modular combination to achieve higher power dissipation. The DL1.0 can dissipate up to 1.0kW and is cooled by controlled airflow. The other sizes up to the DL5.0 are designed for 2, 3 and 5kW power dissipation respectively and are all water cooled. The Graphical User Interface (GUI) allows the user to test any type of cell. The main SW determines the cut-off voltage to avoid possible over-discharging depending on the cell type (Pb, NiCd, Lithium, LiFePo4, LiPo, etc.). All functions are supported by an embedded processor that communicates with an external PC via a USB port. The graphical user interface runs under Windows 32/64 and is constantly connected to the ATEC Robotics data centre, which controls the status of the unit and predicts maintenance. The main SW installed on the PC prints the test certificate autonomously, as shown in these images. An application running on Android OS allows remote control of the test status.
Operation modes
DLX.0 provides the typical operating modes of constant current or dynamic current (CC), constant power (CP) and constant voltage (CV). The operating mode is selected via the graphical user interface (GUI). Additional settings are available to protect the test equipment. For example, the constant current test can have a maximum power setting, while the constant voltage, power or resistance test can have a maximum current setting. The limits are automatically determined by the software and proposed for approval.
Static and dynamic operations
For static operations, one value can be set via the user interface. During dynamic operations, the user can define a wide range of values to achieve steps in all four physical units U, I, P or R.
Battery test mode
In battery test mode, a battery can be discharged at a constant current or at different values until the battery voltage reaches a threshold that depends on the type of cells. The test then stops automatically and a report with graphs is produced. The discharge time and the amount of charge (Ah) discharged are measured, displayed and printed.
Power derating
The series features thermal derating to limit power and prevent overheating when operating at maximum power. All models have thermal derating. For the base model, which is cooled by airflow, the lower the ambient temperature, the better the cooling, i.e. the more power the load can dissipate. To avoid this situation, models with optional water cooling can be supplied for continuous performance at maximum value and in extreme conditions, namely DL-3.0 and DL-5.0, which can dissipate up to 3 and 5kW respectively.
Display
All important information is displayed directly on the GUI. Information on actual output values or set values for U, I, P, R, the current control mode (CV, CC, CP, CR), error messages and setup menu settings are all clearly available. Settings for the optional digital interfaces are also displayed.
Remote Status Check
An Android app is supplied with the dummy load to remotely check the status of the current test.
System Bus
The system is equipped with a remote sensing input for ultra-precise evaluation of the input voltage, even if the system is equipped with a method for calculating the voltage drop due to the connection cables.
Water cooling
Water cooling replaces the standard fan cooling and has several advantages:
- No hot air discharge at the unit
- Much lower noise
- 100% continuous performance