Overview
ISO 21498-2:2024 - "Electrically propelled road vehicles - Electrical specifications and tests for voltage class B systems and components - Part 2: Electrical tests for components" defines electrical test methods, test conditions and pass/fail requirements for components connected to voltage class B DC systems in electrically propelled road vehicles. The document focuses on the characteristics at the DC voltage class B terminals (as specified in ISO 21498‑1) and addresses component behaviour caused by operation of electric loads and power sources. It explicitly excludes electrical safety testing (see related standards).
Key topics and technical requirements
This standard provides structured, repeatable electrical tests and related requirements, including:
- General test parameters - test setup, voltages, powers, temperatures, timing, wiring, sampling rates, data acquisition and documentation.
- DC supply variation - component performance across the operational DC voltage range.
- Generated voltage slope & immunity - behaviour when voltage changes with specific slopes and the component’s immunity to such transients.
- Voltage ripple & immunity - generated ripple characteristics and component robustness to ripple.
- Overvoltage and undervoltage - test procedures and requirements for excursions above and below nominal DC bus voltage.
- Voltage offset - effects of DC offsets on component function.
- Load dump and immunity to load dump - generated load-dump events and component tolerance.
- Short circuit - procedures to verify component response to short-circuit conditions.
- Supporting annexes - example EV electrical system diagrams, example values, artificial network specification and measurement setup guidance.
The standard defines test applicability, setups and measurement practices but does not provide electrical safety methods.
Applications and practical value
ISO 21498-2 is used to:
- Validate electrical performance and robustness of EV components (inverters, converters, sensors, controllers).
- Define repeatable laboratory test procedures for R&D and production validation.
- Support supplier and OEM contractual test requirements.
- Guide test-house and compliance lab test plans for voltage-class B DC equipment.
Practical outcomes include improved system reliability, harmonized test evidence for procurement and reduced field failures related to DC electrical phenomena.
Who should use this standard
- EV OEMs and Tier‑1 suppliers designing voltage class B systems.
- Component manufacturers (power electronics, sensors, auxiliary units).
- Test laboratories and certification bodies developing electrical test protocols.
- Systems integrators and validation engineers responsible for DC bus behaviour.
Related standards
- ISO 21498‑1 - terminal characteristics and system-level specifications for voltage class B.
- ISO 6469‑3 and ISO 5474 series - electrical safety standards for electrically propelled road vehicles.