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Both the electrical portion of the powertrain and the rising number of auxiliary systems will considerably increase the electrical power requirements in future vehicles. In addition, multiple voltage supply levels will enhance the complexity of the electrical distribution system (EDS), while strict cost, weight, packaging, and safety constraints must be upheld, posing serious design challenges in terms of robustness, reliability and energy efficiency. Currently, a self-contained integral test or evaluation of the EDS is normally not applied. For such a purpose, quantitative quality criteria are introduced here which allow a comparative assessment of an EDS by addressing the dynamic and static stability of the supply voltage, the reliability of the fusing system, and the ability to provide the required electrical power. The presented approach uses both precisely-defined test scenarios and a comprehensive EDS test bench.

The impact of the design of automotive electrical distribution systems (EDS) is becoming more and more significant with the continuous integration of new safety-relevant functions and the substitution of mechanical systems having reached a high degree of robustness. The introduction of hybrid and electric vehicles amplify this trend and lead to the design of even more complex electrical networks with multiple voltage levels and new challenges. To assess electrical power systems with respect to their ability to supply the involved electrical consumers in various driving and consuming situations at a high level of reliability and voltage stability simulation studies, bench testing and driving tests are conducted. However, a sustained strategy to define relevant consuming and driving situations in order to test the EDS under consistent loading conditions is missing.