The Chroma 17010 Battery Reliability Test System is a high precision, multi-functional charge/discharge testing platform designed for testing lithium-ion battery cells (LIB cells), electric double-layer capacitors (EDLCs), and lithium-ion capacitors (LICs). Engineered to address increasing reliability challenges across various applications-including electric vehicles, energy storage systems, and AI data centers-the platform supports a broad spectrum of testing stages from product development and performance evaluation to cycle life verification and product selection/classification.
Choose from two system architectures: the linear circuit series offers minimal output noise and exceptional measurement accuracy for development of small and medium-sized energy storage components; or the regenerative AC/DC bi-directional series for standard product life evaluation and testing of larger energy storage components and power batteries, all the while saving power and generating minimal heat.
The Chroma 17010 system is powered by the Battery Lab Expert (Battery LEx) software platform. With its multi-layered recipe architecture, users can quickly apply existing test profiles or create new ones, and establish a DUT database for convenient recipe sharing across different testing scenarios. The recipes support C-rate settings, OCV-SOC tables, Q%, and waveform simulations, covering a wide range of test applications as well as IEC, USABC, and GB/T standards. An integrated graphing tool allows users to quickly filter data, generate charts, and export test results, complemented by template functionality for easy test report generation.
Chroma 17010 also includes built-in IEC 62813 test procedures for LICs. These include capacitance, DC internal resistance (DCIR), and cycle durability tests, enabling stable and efficient verification of LIC product quality.
The Chroma 17010 system supports integration with high-accuracy data loggers capable of measuring the DUT’s temperature, voltage, and pressure in real time. These measurements can then serve as dynamic cut-off and protection conditions. The system is also compatible with environmental chambers from various manufacturers, allowing users to issue chamber control commands through test steps. Built-in chamber synchronization and secondary adjustment functionality further enhance user convenience.
The Chroma 17010 prioritizes 3 safety protection with a robust, software/hardware detection, equipment abnormality monitoring, and optional independent relay hardware detection, guaranteeing protection for both user and equipment throughout the testing process. It provides a comprehensive testing solution for lithium-ion battery degradation analysis tests, such as DVA, EIS, and DCIR.
Ultra High Precision Charge/Discharge Tester Chroma 17208M-5-12C
An ultra-high precision programmable charge/discharge tester specifically designed for precision measurement applications.
Precision measurement applications such as Coulombic Efficiency (CE) analysis, Incremental Capacity Analysis (ICA), and Differential Voltage Analysis (DVA). Applications like these call for instruments capable of measuring battery voltage and capacity for an extended period with high levels of stability, precision and accuracy, thereby obtaining high-quality test data without any need for postprocessing.
- Four current ranges (12A, 4A, 0.4A, 40mA).
- 0-5V voltage measurement range for charge/discharge.
- To ensure optimal measurement quality, each channel is equipped with shielded wiring to isolate the equipment from noise.
Best-in-class Stability, Precision, and Accuracy
Through meticulous structural and circuit design, the 17208M-5-12C effectively mitigates the impact of waste heat on its high-precision circuits and components, improving measurement stability during longer tests. With a measurement accuracy of up to ±0.01% of F.S. (Full Scale) and precision of up to ±0.001% of F.S., this tester reliably delivers consistent and repeatable test results.
- ±0.01% of F.S. measurement accuracy
- ±0.001% of F.S. measurement precision
High Resolution, Low Output Noise
The 17208M-5-12C employs a 24-bit ADC to enhance measurement resolution, providing highly granular test data that accurately reflects the DUT's actual electrical signal.
- Voltage measurement resolution: up to 1μV
- Current measurement resolution: up to 0.01μA
Simplified DVA Test Data Processing
Differential Voltage Analysis (DVA) is commonly used to assess battery aging. However, poor measurement accuracy and precision can make it difficult to identify characteristic peaks, often requiring extensive resources to run smoothing algorithms and risking curve distortion. The 17208M-5-12C delivers stable full-range current output throughout the test. This ensures accuracy and minimizes noise from measurement fluctuations, resulting in DVA curves with clearly identifiable characteristic peaks.
17010 Series
- Quick switching of current ranges:
The Chroma 17010 series enables switching between multiple current output and measurement ranges to accommodate test plans with both high and low currents. At the start of each test step, the system detects the output current and then quickly switches to the appropriate current range automatically. This boosts the test's accuracy as well as its resolution, yielding quality test data you can trust. - Automatic range switching under constant voltage (CV) mode:
The linear circuit models of the Chroma 17010 family support automatic switching between current ranges during testing in CV mode while maintaining uninterrupted output. This is ideal for applications like float charging and potential regulation, which require long-term and highly stable testing at very low currents.
(Using 17216M-6-12 model range)
Conventional battery cyclers typically record key data at report sampling speeds, which produces significant cumulative error over time. The Chroma 17010 addresses this by utilizing high-speed voltage and current sampling with double-integration computing. This enables the system to accurately capture transient changes during testing without loss, resulting in highly reliable capacity calculations.
- Hardware internal voltage/current sampling rate: 1ms
- Report single point transient sampling rate: 1ms
- Report sampling rate: 10ms
The regenerative models in the 17010 family offer wide-ranging power and current coverage with their Super Charge/Discharge Output functionality. Super Mode allows you to easily configure and run up to 30 seconds of 120% current or power directly within your test steps, ideal for an array of high-current pulse test applications.
- 17212M-6-100S: 120% CC and CP charge/discharge output
Besides Super Mode, the regenerative models also boast a current ramp-up time of less than 1ms. This enables more accurate simulation of the battery's instantaneous peak currents during on-road charging and discharging, meeting test data requirements for standards such as NEDC, FUDS, and DST.
- 17212M-6-100S: 10% to 90% < 1ms
The Chroma 17216M-10-6 model offers three voltage ranges selectable via software, offering extra versatility for various product development applications.
- 0V-+5V：0V to 5V: Half-cell, full-cell, EDLC
- 0V-+10V：0V to 10V: Series batteries, EDLC
- -5V-+5V：-5V to 5V: Symmetric batteries
The Chroma 17010 goes beyond basic battery cycling by enabling you to preload dynamic charge/discharge waveforms. Evaluate your batteries’ degradation modes and cycle life with enhanced realism by using dynamic current or power waveforms that closely mimic on-road charge/discharge conditions such as acceleration, deceleration, and uphill or downhill driving.
- Supports dynamic and fixed time modes (min. output interval 10ms)
- Dynamic preloading of up to 6,400,000 data points per system
The high-current models in the 17010 lineup feature high-recision, high-efficiency, and power-optimized energy recovery architecture, purposely designed to minimize waste heat generation during discharge and empower sustainable approaches to battery test.
- DC: Automatically prioritizes transferring discharged energy to charging channels with >80% recovery efficiency.
- AC: Excess energy is recovered back to the AC mains with >60% recovery efficiency.
- Current is fed back to the grid with <5% total harmonic distortion (THD).
Chroma's ripple current test solution involves superimposing an AC current with a frequency between 100Hz and 20kHz onto the 17010 system (model 17212M-6-100S). This allows you to simulate the behavior of an electric vehicle (EV) inverter or the heating effect of AC current delivered from a charging station (EVSE) to the battery.
- Ripple frequency from 100Hz to 20kHz, amplitude up to 75App, and up to 150App in parallel (customizable)
- Independent AC and DC circuits, minimizing impact on DC charging and discharge cut-off judgment
- Ripple current superimposition in various CC, CV, and CP charging and discharging modes
The entire Chroma 17010 series supports dynamic parallel functionality, allowing idle continuous channels to be paralleled for higher current output. This feature not only enhances testing versatility but also accommodates a wider variety of test applications.
Experience peace of mind with Chroma 17010's robust data protection and recovery functionality. Enabled by an optional UPS (uninterruptible power system), this feature enables the system to temporarily store test data in the IPC database during power failures. After the power issues are resolved, the 17010 automatically retrieves the data state and resumes testing from the point of interruption, ensuring seamless data continuity.
System Integration and Protection
The Chroma 17010 supports integration with environmental chambers of various well-known brands as well as multifunctional data loggers. With the Battery LEx software, you can set parameters and monitor data simultaneously. Test data is automatically compiled into test reports, all in all providing a fully comprehensive test solution.
- Can record temperature (°C), voltage (V), pressure (mPa), or force (kg).
- Recorded real-time data can be used as judgment criterion for cut-off or temperature protection measures.
- Test recipes include various built-in protections; the protection mechanism monitoring these has a response speed of 1ms when triggered. An optional external voltage/temperature meter relay can be added to provide reliable dual-layer protection.
- Real-time abnormality detection allows each individual unit to automatically detect abnormalities based on independent logic. When the system is interrupted, the test can be continued after the exception is cleared without data loss.
- The Battery LEx software provides built-in chamber setting control and control steps for temperature, humidity, timeout, and over-temperature protections while indicating temperature control time, delay time, and standby temperature.
- To ensure consistency in test conditions, the grouping management structure allows all testing channels in the same chamber to enter the temperature control phase at the same time.
- The built-in DI/DO functionality can be connected to a smoke/gas detector, fire extinguisher, and alarms for over-temperature, over-voltage, and open door. The system performs different levels of handling according to the degree of damage, including stopping the test or powering off. Alarm data can be sent remotely via e-mail.
Battery LEx Software
A comprehensive test software platform specifically developed for the Chroma 17010. It offers three key features and a rich set of tools for a variety of applications:
- Group testing: each group can control up to 96 channels and execute up to 50,000 steps.
- Variable editing: use data from the external data logger for flexible programming and complex applications.
- Chamber integration: real-time monitoring of chamber status and protection mechanisms through DI/DO expansion.
- Streamlined management: Easily create and organize up to 500 test plans tailored to specific DUT types or test requirements.
- Intuitive display and real-time editing: Effortlessly browse, inspect, and adjust test plans, DUT specifications, waveform simulation data, and recipe content. Modify parameters on the fly and save them instantly for maximum efficiency.
- DUT database: Establish a central repository for all your DUT specifications, allowing you to quickly map parameters during recipe editing. Use recipe sharing for efficient testing across different projects.
- Operating simulation: Import data points directly from xlsx files to simulate operating conditions. Define time intervals (both equal and custom), output multiplier, and data ranges to create highly realistic test scenarios.
- Layered structure: Craft intricate test plans with a hierarchical structure including up to 50,000 steps (SR -> MR -> TP).
- Easy creation: Design new recipes from scratch to address a wide range of test applications.
- Quick editing: Combine existing recipes to rapidly build comprehensive test plans.
- Special Settings: Utilize special settings for C-rate, OCV-SOC, Q%, ±V, and variables to create highly customized recipes.
- Variable Settings and Cutoff Conditions: Define up to 20 variables, including 2 variables that can be leveraged across sub-recipes. The 1-100ms transient capture function meticulously records transient changes at the start/end of each step, then defines them as variables for secondary calculation.
- Multi-channel group management
- Multi-group start
- Various control options: Start, pause, resume, stop, reserved pause, specified start, skip to next step, pause and skip to next step, recipe preview
- Real-time test status: real-time display of test data for single channel and entire groups
- Supports dynamic paralleling for more demanding test requirements
- Real-time data plotting: Plots data in real-time based on the set sampling time, with up to 36,000 data points displayed on a single screen.
- Multi-chart monitoring: View up to 4 independent graphs simultaneously, allowing for comparison of up to 2 test channels per graph.
- Graph capture: Use the time freeze function to capture and save test curves.
- Multi-axis analysis: Provides dual-Y-axis data display for more comprehensive analysis.
- Automatic Export: automatically exports to user-specified path based on defined export mode and filename.
- Export modes: choose between manual export or automatic export based on either sub-recipes or time settings.
- Adjustable data precision up to 9 decimal places.
- Report types: generate channel-level or step-level reports.
- Customization: Freely adjust report items and column orders to tailor the report to your exact needs.
- Three control modes: chamber control steps, real-time remote control, maintenance mode.
- Delay function: set a rest time after reaching the set temperature to ensure consistency between the temperatures of the chamber and the DUTs.
- Cycle temperature setting: paired with a data logger, the system can adjust the chamber temperature based on the actual DUT temperature to accurately ensure temperature consistency.
- End-of-test setting modes: includes end temperature control, adjust to the specified temperature, and maintain temperature.
- Dual protection control: over-temperature protection, temperature control timeout protection.
- External device control: provides three-color light signal control and relay signal control.
- Synchronized temperature control: automatic sync. mechanism ensures that the chamber temperature control starts only when all channels reach the "temperature control step", ensuring test consistency.
- Temperature control inheritance: automatically transfer chamber control to another group upon completion of the main group's test.
- Account and permission management: establish multiple user accounts with passwords and assign corresponding editing permissions.
- Alert notifications: set up email alerts for warning messages.
- Recipe transfer: import/export/move recipes and test plans.
- Data management: administrators can set automatic or manual deletion of system data.
- Forced global protection: set mandatory protection items for recipes to prevent human error and enhance test safety.
- Data Query: Quickly filter large volumes of test data using custom conditions to accelerate analysis workflows.
- Chart Drawing: Flexible chart and table visualization with various plot configuration options to meet diverse testing and presentation needs.
- Graph Template Function: Display default charts to reduce manual operations and speed up analysis.
- Data Analysis: Rapidly identify abnormal data, enabling decision-makers to respond to issues in real time.
- Automated Multi-Channel Operation: Apply charts to multiple selected channels simultaneously to reduce repetitive tasks.
- Flexible Drawing Modes: Generate separate charts or merge data into a single chart to suit different application scenarios.
- Accurate Table Configuration: Various layout options are available for clearer data output.
- Smart Parameter Matching: Automatically checks data consistency to ensure accurate merging.
- Standardized Naming Format: Automatically appends labels to merged charts to enhance traceability.
- Flexible Data Arrangement: Supports both vertical and horizontal layouts to improve readability.
- Custom Report Template Function: Save frequently used formats to speed up report generation.
- Word-Processor-Like Interface: Create and export reports without relying on Microsoft Excel.
- Quick Insertion of Charts and Tables: Generate well-structured battery test reports with embedded visuals and data tables.
Lithium Battery Test Applications
- Application of Ripple Current Superposition
Verifying the efficiency of lithium-ion battery heating with AC current at temperatures below 0°C (32°F), the conductivity of the electrolyte significantly decreases while the internal resistance increases. This greatly reduces the battery's power capability, which in turn leads to decreased charging efficiency. One way to restore this efficiency is to pre-heat the battery directly with AC current. When selecting the frequency domain of the AC current, it is recommended to prioritize frequencies that do not induce electrochemical reactions in the battery.
- Evaluating the Impact of Ripple on Lithium-ion Battery Degradation
Evaluating the impact of ripple on lithium-ion battery degradation Ripple mainly originates from inverters in electric vehicles. When the ripple frequency exceeds the frequency range detectable by the battery management system (BMS), and the ripple voltage exceeds the battery's upper voltage limit (e.g., when the ripple frequency is a multiple of the voltage detection frequency of the BMS), it may accelerate battery degradation. This is especially the case under conditions where the internal resistance of the battery cell increases by several factors at low temperatures.
CE is calculated by fully charging and discharging the battery and then measuring the ratio of the total charge put into the battery. The Chroma 17010's best-in-class precision and stability allow you to easily identify batteries with superior characteristics. Through accurate CE testing, battery life can be estimated using fewer cycles, saving time and resources in the evaluation process.
The key to plotting the dV/dQ curve is to charge and discharge the battery with a small current (
The optional EIS measurement function can be integrated into a one-stop testing system, enabling flexible programming for both DC cycling tests and impedance analysis. This significantly enhances experimental efficiency and data consistency. The system architecture allows for testing without transferring the battery, minimizing contact variation and temperature fluctuations—further ensuring data consistency and repeatability. It is ideal for a wide range of applications, including battery performance evaluation, model selection, life prediction, degradation analysis, and BMS modeling.
Cycle life is one of the most important test items for batteries. Based on experimental objectives, this test subjects the battery through repeated charge and discharge conditions until the capacity falls to 80%, and then calculates the number of cycles. The cycle life test can be used to evaluate battery performance or define proper.
The Chroma 17010 features a flexible editing program that can compile HPPC test steps, as defined by the U.S. Council for Automotive Research (USCAR) for evaluation of EV battery performance. The purpose is to obtain the open circuit voltage, ohmic resistance (Ro), and polarization resistance (Rp) of a specific depth of discharge within the battery's operating voltage range using the specified test methods. It establishes a functional relationship between the depth of discharge and the charge/discharge peak power, serving as an indicator for evaluating the battery cell's aging and output power capacity.
The internal resistance of a battery is related to the charge/discharge rate it can withstand. A higher internal resistance results in lower efficiency, increased heat generation, and accelerated aging. The traditional method of measuring AC internal resistance (ACIR) using an 1kHz LCR Meter can evaluate the battery's ohmic resistance (Ro) affecting the instantaneous power output, but it cannot assess the polarization resistance (Rp) produced during electrochemical reactions. In contrast, DCIR measurement includes ACIR while also more closely reflecting actual polarization effects in automotive battery applications involving continuous current.
The Chroma 17010 has two programmable DCIR test modes, and – with the variable calculation function-can automatically obtain test results that meet the IEC 61960 standard.
- DCIR (1) is based on the voltage difference caused by one current change
- DCIR (2) is based on the voltage difference caused by the change between two currents
LIC End-of-Line and Durability Testing
With the rapid expansion of AI applications, the floating-point operations per second (FLOPS) of large language models (LLMs) are growing exponentially. The increasing power demand of high-density integrated AI GPUs used for training and inference presents a major challenge for data centers: how to reliably deliver peak power without interrupting GPU operation. To address this issue, capacitor energy storage systems (CESS) based on lithium-ion capacitors (LICs) are now commonly adopted as a backup power solution.
IEC 62813 End-of-Line Testing Solution
The Chroma 17010/17010H systems are equipped with test sequences compliant with IEC 62813, allowing users to perform capacitance and DC internal resistance (DCIR) tests. This facilitates accurate classification and evaluation of DUTs.
Support for LIC Durability Testing:
To ensure LICs used in CESS can provide stable high-power output over extended periods, performance degradation testing is required during the selection process. The Chroma 17010 and 17010H systems support cycle life and durability testing with low output noise and high measurement accuracy-delivering high-quality data for reliable LIC characterization.
Battery Cell Testing Data Loggers
The Multi-Channel Data Loggers Chroma A172013 (Voltage), A172014 (Temperature-Thermocouple Type), and A172015 (Temperature-Resistance Type) can serve as auxiliary channels for the 17010 system, providing real-time monitoring of DUT data during charge and discharge tests. This data can then be integrated into the test report via the Battery LEx software, where you can also set upper limit protections to ensure test safety.
- Each channel adopts independent 24-bit ADC sampling
- Equipped with cold junction compensation function
- Can be used as a standalone unit or connected to voltage or temperature modules, expandable up to 128 channels
*1 A172013, A172014, and A172015 modules can be integrated and used simultaneously.
*2 The accuracy specification does not include errors caused by the testing cables, under the condition of 100ms sampling and 23±5℃.
*3 The sampling time is for the single unit specification and does not include data integration and transmission.
Ripple Current Superposition Test System
Chroma's Ripple Current Superposition Test System consists of a programmable high-frequency AC tester, an AC/DC decoupling module, and a DC charge/discharge tester. The independent AC and DC loops can be applied to various charge and discharge modes, with minimal impact on the cut-off judgment of DC charge and discharge tests, aiding in cycle life comparison.
Integrated One-Stop EIS Testing Device
The Chroma Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) Testing System integrates the Hioki customized BT4560-60 Battery Impedance Tester and SW1002 Scanning Module Rack, enabling users to perform DC tests and impedance analysis simultaneously. This integration helps accelerate battery performance evaluation.
Battery Cell Testing Data Loggers
The Chroma A170103 is an automated calibration and verification system equipped with various high-precision standard components. It features programmable control for multi-channel calibration tasks and is suitable for products in the Chroma 17010 series with currents up to 150A. This system ensures the equipment maintains high accuracy and traceability, forming an integral part of Chroma's high-precision test solutions.
- Consistent and standardized inspection: scientific approach minimizes human error and test variability.
- Efficient calibration and verification: reduces workforce requirements and saves costs.
- Automated report generation: ensures traceability and easy management of maintenance records.
Environmental and Rack Specifications
Lithium Battery Test Applications
The Chroma 17010 Battery Reliability Test System meets the verification requirements of most international regulations in charge/ discharge testing.
IEC 62660-1 2010
Secondary lithium-ion cells for the propulsion of electric road vehicles
-Part 1: Performance testing
View 8 test items
- 7.1 General charge conditions
- 7.2 Capacity
- 7.3 SOC adjustment
- 7.4.1 Power test method
- 7.5.1 Energy test method
- 7.6 Storage test
- 7.7 Cycle life test
- 7.8 Common tests
IEC 61960 2011
Secondary cells and batteries containing alkaline or other non-acid electrolytes
-Secondary lithium cells and batteries for portable applications
View 4 test items
- 7.3 Discharge performance
- 7.4 Charge (Capacity) retention and recovery
- 7.5 Charge (Capacity) recovery after long term storage
- 7.6 Endurance in cycle
IEC 62391-1 2006
Fixed electric double-layer capacitors for use in electronic equipment
-Part 1: Generic specification
View 4 test items
- 4.5 Discharge performance
- 4.6.2 Charge (Capacity) retention and recovery
- 4.7 Leakage current
- 4.8 Self discharge
IEC 62813 2015
Lithium ion capacitors for use in electric and electronic equipment
-Test methods for electrical characteristics
View 1 test items
- 4.2.1 Capacitance, discharge accumulated electric energy, and internal resistance
GB/T 31484 2015
Cycle life requirements and test methods for traction battery of electric vehicle
View 5 test items
- 6.1 Test conditions
- 6.2 Capacity and energy under room temperature (initial capacity and energy)
- 6.3 Power under room temperature (initial power)
- 6.4 Standard cycle life
- 6.5 Operating-condition cycle life
GB/T 31486 2015
Electrical performance requirements and test methods for traction battery of electric vehicle
View 2 test items
- 6.2.4 Secondary cell charging
- 6.2.5 Discharge capacity under room temperature (initial capacity)
GB/T 18287 2013
General specification of lithium-ion cells and batteries for mobile phone
View 9 test items
- 5.3.2.1 Charging methods
- 5.3.2.2 0.2 ItA discharge
- 5.3.2.3 Rated discharge
- 5.3.2.4 High temperature discharge
- 5.3.2.5 Low temperature discharge
- 5.3.2.6 Charge retention capability and recovery capacity
- 5.3.2.7 Storage performance
- 5.3.2.8 Cycle life
- 5.3.3.2 Steady damp-heat
Rev.0 2017
Battery Test Manual for 48 Volt Mild Hybrid Electric Vehicles
View 10 test items
- 3.2 Static Capacity Test
- 3.3 Constant Power Discharge and Charge Tests
- 3.4 Hybrid Pulse Power Characterization Test
- 3.5 Standard Self Discharge Test
- 3.6 Cold Cranking Test
- 3.7 Thermal Performance Test
- 3.8 Energy Efficiency Test
- 3.9 Operating Set Point Stability Test
- 3.10 Cycle Life Test
- 3.11 Calendar Life Test
Rev.2 2018
Battery Test Manual for 12 V Start / Stop Vehicles
View 10 test items
- 3.2 Static Capacity Test
- 3.3 Constant Power Discharge and Charge Tests
- 3.4 Hybrid Pulse Power Characterization Test
- 3.5 Standard Self Discharge Test
- 3.6 Cold Cranking Test
- 3.7 Thermal Performance Test
- 3.8 Energy Efficiency Test
- 3.9 Operating Set Point Stability Test
- 3.10 Cycle Life Test
- 3.11 Calendar Life Test
Rev.3.1 2020
Battery Test Manual for Electric Vehicle
View 9 test items
- 3.2 Static Capacity Test
- 3.3 High Rate Charge
- 3.4 Hybrid Pulse Power Characterization Test
- 3.5 Peak Power Test
- 3.6 Self-Discharge Test
- 3.7 Thermal Performance Test
- 3.8 Life Testing
- 3.9 Cycle Life Dynamic Stress Tests
- 3.10 Calendar Life Test
Rev.3
Battery Test Manual for Plug In Hybrid Vehicle
View 11 test items
- 3.2 Static Capacity Test
- 3.3 Constant Power Discharge Tests
- 3.4 Hybrid Pulse Power Characterization Test
- 3.5 Self-Discharge Test
- 3.6 Cold Cranking Test
- 3.7 Thermal Performance Test
- 3.8 Energy Efficiency Test
- 3.9 Life Testing
- 3.10 Charge-Sustaining Cycle Life Tests
- 3.11 Charge-Depleting Cycle Life Test Profile
- 3.12 Calendar Cycle Life Test
