Leakage Laboratory
Leakage Measurements on Vehicle Air Conditioning Systems
Our Service Portfolio
Our refrigerant laboratory is certified in accordance with Directive 2006/40/EC and Regulation (EC) No. 706/2007. We also apply these procedures to refrigerants such as R1234yf and use them as the basis for our standardised leakage measurements. Customised tests can also be integrated if required. These standards are also suitable for validation or comparative measurements with other methods such as helium leakage measurement or EOL test benches.
We test components, subsystems or complete systems from the automotive sector. Our standard test objects also include air conditioning systems and stationary applications. A particular focus is on the geodesic structure of the test specimens in order to test seals and hose lines realistically.
The ambient temperature has a significant influence on the external leakage rate. We therefore test components at temperatures from -40 °C to 165 °C. Complete systems are tested at 20 °C to 50 °C as standard, in accordance with Regulation (EC) No. 706/2007. Measurements in a range from -20 °C to 50 °C are also possible on request. Automated temperature step tests allow us to organise the process efficiently and in line with customer requirements.
In our laboratory, we test air conditioning components and systems with a variety of refrigerants, including R134a, R1234yf and R744. Our systems are also designed for refrigerant mixtures, and we are currently expanding our portfolio to include the refrigerant R290 (propane). Customised refrigerants or new developments can also be tested on request.
Internal leakage describes the refrigerant flow through a closed valve between different outlets. We carry out this measurement on expansion, shut-off, changeover and non-return valves. Precise knowledge of the internal leakage is crucial for the proper operation of valve systems and the prevention of refrigerant displacement or oil accumulation.
A central part of our work is the detailed analysis of leakage results. We help to localise leakage sources and work with our customers to develop solutions, such as improvements in assembly or material selection.
Highest Level of Quality since 2007
We have been operating the leakage laboratory since 2007 in order to constantly drive improvements in sealing concepts in the field of air conditioning and to detect faulty components at an early stage before they go into series production at the car manufacturer. In this way, we make a decisive contribution to ensuring a high level of quality in air conditioning systems.
Environmental Protection first and foremost
We stand for environmental protection. Partially fluorinating greenhouse gases have not yet been completely eliminated, as vehicles with the refrigerant R134a are still on the roads. Here, too, it is important to keep the leakage rates of components as low as possible and to reduce the GWP, for example, by using refrigerant mixtures. Our laboratory is also suitable for measuring natural refrigerants and we support the global ‘GogreenRefrigerent’ movement.
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Certified by the Federal Motor Transport Authority
We are one of the few companies in Europe accredited by the Federal Motor Transport Authority as a test laboratory for determining R134a leakage rates. The accreditation was granted on 20.12.2007 and was valid until October 2018, authorising the company to carry out leakage measurements in accordance with Directive 2006/40/EC including Regulation 706/2007 on motor vehicle air conditioning systems and their components as part of the KBA type approval. Since 2017, this type approval is no longer required by the KBA with regard to air conditioning systems, as in Europe only new registrations of vehicles with a refrigerant with a global warming potential (GWP) <150 are permitted.
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