Our Services

Our test centre with a floor space of 800 m² is equipped with the latest devices and technologies. This allows us to perform lightning current tests on products, installations and systems. Of course, the tests performed in our test centre are based on the relevant standards. Thanks to our active involvement with international and national standardisation committees, we are always up-to-date.

Services of the DEHN Test Centre:

Test of surge protective devices (SPDs) according to IEC 61643-11, IEC 61643-21 and UL 1449
Test of surge protective devices (SPDs) used in photovoltaic systems according to EN 50539-11
Test of external lightning protection components according to IEC 62561
High-voltage test with lightning impulses according to IEC 60060-1
Complete lightning current tests for low-voltage distribution boards according to IEC 62305-1, IEC 62305-4 and IEC 61643-12
Surge immunity test according to IEC 61000-4-5
Surge immunity test for telecommunication systems according to ITU-T and CCITT
Lightning current tests for wind turbines, photovoltaic systems and cell sites according to IEC 62305-1 and IEC 61400-24
Functional test for low-voltage switchgear installations according to IEC 60947
Computer simulations, modelling and field measurements
Other test services are available on request

Our lightning impulse current laboratory is able to generate lightning currents with a peak value up to 400 kA (10/350 µs). It is one of the most powerful of its kind in the world.

Accredited by DAkkS

The DEHN Test Centre is accredited by the German Accreditation Body (DAkkS) according to DIN EN ISO/IEC 17025.

This confirms that the DEHN Test Centre has both the technical prerequisites and the high level of competence to conduct those tests described in the scope of accreditation according to DIN EN ISO/IEC 17025.

PV systems and components

Devices and components used in photovoltaic systems must be tailored to meet the special requirements of PV systems. The practical behaviour must be tested in realistic laboratory simulations particularly in case of devices which take over protective and switching functions in PV systems.

Experience has shown that conventional d.c. sources are not suited for exactly simulating the behaviour of PV system components.

The DEHN Test Centre features a simulator which is specifically designed for PV requirements.
Its dynamic i/u characteristic allows to realistically simulate switching processes in PV systems.

Technical parameters

Our current PV simulator allows to perform tests for

Overcurrent protective devices
Surge protective devices and
Mechanical switching devices

with individual values up to U_OC = 1500 V, I_SC = 100 A, P = 150 KW_p.

Wind turbines and components

For engineering offices and for manufacturers and component suppliers of wind turbines, we offer engineering and test services according to IEC 61400-24 Lightning Protection of Wind Turbines. The tests show whether the protection measures taken are effective.

Our services:

Lightning current tests on bearings and gearboxes of the mechanical drive train
High current tests on the receptors and down conductors of rotor blades
High current and high voltage tests on rotor blades
System-level immunity tests of important control systems such as the pitch control or aircraft warning light
Tests on customer-specific prewired connection units to protect the electrical installation

Railway systems and equipment

Do your systems function even under extreme conditions?

Use our engineering and test services to optimise your solutions.

Our services:

Tests on prewired connection units for protecting electrical and electronic systems
Lightning current tests on signalling system components, low-voltage distribution boards and system cabinets as per IEC 62305, IEC 61343-12 and IEC 61000-4-5

Mobile radio systems and components

Make sure that your systems also work reliably under extreme conditions, e.g. lightning current load.

The test results of our engineering and test services allow you to optimise your protection concept according to IEC 61643-1 “Surge protective devices connected to low-voltage power systems”

Test services

System-level immunity test, e.g. for stand-alone cell sites. Induction test due to lightning currents.
Testing the mechanical strength and immunity of mobile radio distribution boards in case of lightning currents.
Testing the lightning current carrying capability of cable systems for mobile radio applications.

Equipment

In our test facilities, we are able to generate impulse currents and impulse voltages of different amplitudes, rise times and duration. This allows us to simulate a range of different interference phenomena.

Lightning impulse current generators

Our testing facility generates extremely high lightning currents up to 400 kA (10/350 μs). This allows us to test lightning protection systems for installations requiring maximum protection.
Impulse current generators

Our impulse current generators simulate the voltage load on insulating clearances under lightning effects.
Hybrid generators

This test allows us to verify the surge immunity, which is required for EMC tests of electronic devices. Impulse current generators are used to test telecommunications equipment according to e.g. the requirements of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
Follow current transformer for AC applications

In combination with a 100 kA (8/20 μs) impulse current generator, the powerful single-phase transformer allows to perform work cycle tests for SPDs of AC systems.
Power current source for DC applications

The powerful DC generator consists of a three-phase transformer with a B6 bridge rectifier. In combination with a 50 kA (8/20 μs) impulse current generator, work cycle tests for SPDs of DC systems can be performed.
Photovoltaic simulator

The laboratory simulation of the equivalent circuit of a loaded solar cell consists of a parallel connection of diodes and an ideal current source. The open-circuit voltage can be set via a variety of single diodes which are connected in series. A fast constant current controller simulates an ideal current source for a sufficiently long period of time. This proven concept is suited to dynamically simulate the non-linear i/u characteristic of a photovoltaic generator.
Multiple impulse current generator

According to IEC 62305-1, a multiple stroke on average consists of three to four strokes. The typical time intervals between them are about 50 ms. A multiple impulse current generator allows to simulate such multiple strokes in the laboratory.