LV 124
Reproduce demanding LV 124 power conditions for 12 V components
What is LV 124?
LV 124 is a German automotive test standard, jointly developed by leading vehicle manufacturers, that defines the requirements and test conditions for electrical and electronic components used in 12 V vehicle systems. The electrical requirements within LV 124 define the power input conditions that electrical and electronic components such as ECUs, sensors, actuators, control modules, and other electronics used in 12 V vehicle systems must withstand.
The standard focuses on verifying how components behave under real‑world electrical conditions. It includes tests for voltage stability, transient disturbances, supply interruptions, and network irregularities. LV 124 is widely used across the automotive industry and forms the basis for several OEM‑specific derivatives such as MBN LV 124‑1 and VW 80000.
What makes LV 124 challenging?
Fast voltage transitions
E-11 Start Pulses
Start pulse testing requires fast and precisely controlled voltage transitions, including fall times of ≤ 1 ms. The test system must reproduce these dynamic profiles accurately and without unwanted overshoot.
Time-consuming short-circuit testing
E-17 Short Circuits
Short-circuit testing across multiple signal and load circuits can take hours when performed manually. Automating the required switching sequences significantly reduces test time and minimizes manual intervention.
Seamless polarity switching
E-15 Reverse Polarity
Reverse polarity testing requires the voltage to switch directly from positive to negative without interruption. This demands true bipolar operation and precise control during the polarity transition.
How Bolab meets these test requirements
LV 124 is a low-voltage (12 V) automotive standard, requiring a highly dynamic and programmable low-voltage test solution.
Bolab’s 4-quadrant amplifier systems are specifically designed to reproduce LV 124 voltage profiles with precision and stability. They combine fast transient response for overvoltage and undervoltage events with accurate long-duration control for ramps and endurance tests.
Superimposed AC ripple, jump start simulations, and controlled voltage drops can be generated within one flexible platform - ensuring repeatable, compliant, and efficient LV 124 validation for modern automotive ECUs and electronic components.
E-06 Superimposed alternating voltage
E-10 Brief interruptions
E-11 Start pulses
Advanced capabilities for LV 124 testing
Our 4-quadrant amplifier system provides the performance and flexibility required for demanding LV 124 power input tests. It operates as a fully standalone solution, without external power sources, to test components under the conditions they may experience within a 12 V vehicle electrical system.
Transformer-free architecture
Our system generates signals from DC to 300 kHz directly, without the distortion or saturation associated with transformer-based systems. This enables accurate reproduction of slow voltage ramps, undervoltage events and superimposed AC ripple – all essential for LV 124 testing.
True 4-quadrant source & sink capability
Active bidirectional current control guarantees stable voltage during transient dips, load dumps, and dynamic DUT behavior - even with capacitive or inductive loads
Generation of arbitrary signals
LV124 requires realistic disturbance signals such as voltage dips, reverse polarity and load-dump waveforms. Our system reproduces these with precise timing and accurate amplitudes.
WaveMaster software integration
WaveMaster™ simplifies the implementation of LV 124 by combining an extensive library of predefined LV 124 test profiles with an intuitive graphical waveform editor for creating and modifying custom test sequences. Automated test execution, integrated voltage and current measurement, and real-time data recording enable fast, repeatable, and standards-compliant validation. For customer-specific requirements, oscilloscope recordings can be imported directly and converted into executable test profiles, while open interfaces allow seamless integration into automated test environments.
A typical LV 124 test setup
4‑Quadrant Amplifier System (100-TS)
Provides bidirectional voltage and current control, enabling realistic simulation of alternator behaviour, regenerative loads, and fast transient events such as load dump or transient overvoltage.
Fast Interrupt Switch (FIS)
Ultra‑fast switching below 100 ns allows accurate simulation of micro‑cuts, momentary voltage drops, and line interruptions exactly as defined in the standard.
Switching Unit (SU)
Through its internal matrix and multimeter topologies, the Switching Unit enables
automated routing, short-circuit simulation, and channel switching, simplifying multi-line interruption tests and complex test sequences.
WaveMaster LV 124 test library
WaveMaster includes a comprehensive LV 124 test library with ready-to-run waveforms for all relevant test cases. Built-in automation, unlimited waveform generation, real-time voltage and current monitoring, oscilloscope data import, and integrated reporting dramatically reduce test setup time while ensuring accurate, repeatable, and standards-compliant validation.
From hours to minutes: automated switching tests
The Bolab Switching Unit automates complex switching sequences required for tests such as E-17 short-circuit testing, E-21 backfeeds, and E-24 ON/OFF durability testing. Instead of manually connecting and testing individual circuits, complete test sequences can be executed automatically within minutes. This significantly reduces testing time, minimizes manual effort, and improves repeatability, especially for tests involving multiple signal and load circuits.
