How to Test Regenerative Braking Power Systems

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Pro ATE System Power Supplies
+ Pro ATE System Power Supplies
Pro ATE System Power Supplies
+ Pro ATE System Power Supplies

Measure Power Return During Regenerative Braking

Regenerative braking testing at the battery-facing direct current (DC) interface requires a two-quadrant source, synchronized voltage and current acquisition, and a motor-generator test fixture that operates the device under test (DUT) through motoring and braking. Connect the regenerative power supply to the DUT’s DC interface and configure voltage-priority operation with positive sourcing and negative sinking current limits. Establish the programmed bus voltage, verify protection settings, and use the fixture controller to command the operating sequence. During motoring, the source supplies current to the DUT; during braking, it absorbs current returned through the power electronics. Keep each event within the source’s voltage, current, and power envelope. Time-align the operating command and electrical captures to identify the beginning and end of each braking interval.

For braking energy recovery, define positive current as flowing from the source into the DUT and negative current as returning from the DUT. Calculate instantaneous power from simultaneous voltage and current samples, then integrate the magnitude of negative power over each braking interval. Record recovered electrical energy, peak returned power, peak sinking current, maximum bus voltage, and recovery time to the specified voltage band. Repeat across specified bus voltages, braking commands, event durations, and repetition rates. Compare measurements against the DUT’s electrical limits and the approved test profile rather than assumed universal thresholds. Keep recovered energy at the DC interface separate from energy returned to the grid. Mechanical conversion efficiency requires additional torque and speed measurements and is outside this electrical measurement boundary.

Regenerative Braking Power Test Solution

Test electrical power return by holding the battery-facing direct current (DC) bus at a programmed voltage while the test fixture drives motoring and braking events. The Keysight Pro ATE system power supply combines a DC source and regenerative electronic load for this regenerative braking testing workflow. It supplies motoring current and sinks returned braking current, with continuous sinking available within the selected model’s operating limits. The regenerative power supply supports voltage-priority operation, configurable sourcing and sinking limits, and uninterrupted current-direction changes. Simultaneous voltage and current acquisition, digitized measurements, and built-in power and energy calculations support braking energy recovery analysis. Coordinate captures with the fixture’s operating sequence and evaluate returned power, recovered energy, and bus voltage excursions for each event. Absorbed energy is returned to the alternating current (AC) grid, subject to conversion losses. The motor-generator fixture, braking commands, and mechanical measurements remain separate from the power supply.
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