HAINZLHAINZL
HAINZLHAINZL

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18. December 2025

Short circuit and intrusion test bench for battery cells

An automobile manufacturer needed a reliable way to test lithium-ion cells under extreme abuse conditions. In the event of defects or incorrect loading, battery cells can overheat, generate enormous amounts of heat, release large quantities of gas, and, in the worst case, explode. Previous test methods either did not offer sufficient safety or did not provide reproducible results. The goal was therefore to develop a compact, fully enclosed test environment that safely simulates short-circuit and drop tests and makes thermal events controllable.

HAINZL developed a robust test chamber that enables short-circuit tests with currents up to 2000 A as well as defined drop tests from a height of 1.5 m. The chamber is equipped with a pressure relief valve, particle filters, a viewing window for filming, and passive afterflow, and provides reliable protection against thermal and mechanical events. A powerful extraction system ensures the safe removal of gases and particles, while external control eliminates any risk to personnel. The combination of several test procedures in a compact system that is CE-compliant and meets strict safety requirements results in an efficient and future-proof solution for evaluating cell safety under realistic extreme conditions.

Technical data

  • Energy content: electrochemical < 750 Wh, thermal < 7 MJ
  • Cell temperature: up to 900 °C, degassing up to 1200 °C
  • Gas release: up to 60 l/s, volume < 1200 l (cooled < 400 l)
  • Short circuit test:
    • Discharge current: 2000 A (10 s), 800 A (20 min)
    • Measuring shunt: 150 mV
    • Resistors: 1.5 ± 0.05 mΩ | 3 ± 0.1 mΩ (interchangeable)
  • Drop test:
    • Drop height: 1.5 m
    • Max. cell weight: < 3 kg
  • Safety features:
    • Overpressure flap (0.3 m², opens at 30 Pa)
    • Coarse and fine particle filter
    • Viewing window for filming
    • Passive afterflow with check valve
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