What are LV 148 and VDA 320?

LV 148 and VDA 320 define the electrical requirements and tests for electrical, electronic and mechatronic components used within 48 V automotive power networks. Developed as a common foundation for vehicle manufacturer requirements, they specify the power input conditions components must withstand and the behaviours they must demonstrate under typical 48 V vehicle operating conditions.

The requirements apply to 48 V components such as DC/DC converters, inverters, electric motors, pumps, compressors and other power electronics. The tests evaluate how these components respond to operating voltage ranges, overvoltage, undervoltage, voltage interruptions and other conditions associated with 48 V vehicle operation.

What makes LV 148 & VDA 320 challenging?

Testing according to LV 148 and VDA 320 requires precise and dynamic control of 48 V supply conditions. Fast overvoltage and undervoltage events, controlled voltage ramps, and superimposed AC voltage (ripple) must be reproduced accurately, often while handling high currents and changing DUT loads. This places high demands on the test system’s speed, power, regulation, and waveform accuracy to ensure reliable and repeatable test results.

How Bolab meets these test requirements

Bolab's 4-quadrant amplifier systems reproduce the required voltage profiles with high dynamics and accuracy. One integrated platform can generate voltage variations, transients, ramps and superimposed ripple while sourcing and sinking current.

The modular architecture allows the system to be configured for different DUT power requirements and expanded as testing needs grow.

E-10 Brief interruptions

High performance 4-quadrant operation

Bolab amplifiers source and sink current, enabling stable voltage control even with dynamic or regenerative 48 V components.

Integrated ripple generation

Ripple can be superimposed directly onto the DC supply using the 4-quadrant amplifier. This reduces additional hardware and enables precise reproduction of demanding ripple profiles.

Modular power

The modular system architecture allows test power to be adapted to the application and expanded when higher currents or more powerful 48 V DUTs need to be tested.

WaveMaster software integration 

WaveMaster™ simplifies the implementation of LV 148 and VDA 320 by combining predefined test profiles with an intuitive graphical waveform editor for creating and modifying 48 V test sequences. Automated test execution, integrated voltage and current measurement, and real-time data recording enable fast and repeatable validation. Customer-specific waveforms and oscilloscope captures can be imported directly, while open interfaces allow seamless integration into automated test environments.

A typical LV 148 / VDA 320 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.

High current capability through modular design

48 V components can require very high test currents. Bolab’s modular 4-quadrant amplifier systems can be scaled by connecting multiple modules in parallel, providing the current and power required for demanding LV 148 and VDA 320 applications.

This allows the test system to grow with your requirements – from lower-power components to high-current 48 V applications.