The DVGW

Your network of excellence in the gas and water industry

The DVGW supports the gas and water industry in all technical and scientific areas. The main focus of the Association’s work is on safety and hygiene as well as environmental and consumer protection. The DVGW elaborates technical rules designed to promote the technical self-management of the German gas and water industry, thus ensuring the safe and secure supply of gas and water according to the highest international standards. The Association, which was founded in 1859, currently has approximately 14,000 members. The DVGW is free from economic and political influences.

www.dvgw.de/english-pages

DVGW Research Center at Engler-Bunte-Institut of Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT)
DVGW Research Center at Engler-Bunte-Institut of KIT
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Glow wire test
Testing of electrotechnical control and safety equipment and electronic components

with regard to functional safety, the influence of electromagnetic phenomena and electrical safety

Numerous products in the field of gas contain electrical equipment and components with and without safety functions. In our laboratories we carry out functional safety and conformity tests in line with the requirements in the Gas Appliance Regulation or Pressure Equipment Directive and the requirements in industrial plants. What’s more, we also offer electrical safety and electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) tests.

In the area of hydrogen testing, devices/fittings can be tested for their fitness for purpose. This requires the use of a verified test bench developed by the test body.

But it is not just the use of renewable energies and energy sources that are vital for the energy transition. The best possible use of energy resources is also essential, an area in which SmartMeters make an important contribution. In this field, the DVGW Research Center provides support with the testing of the wireless M-Bus communication and the wM-Bus protocol for unidirectional power, water, heat and gas meters (also refer to OMS specifications of the OMS Group)

Testing the OMS interface of wM-Bus measurement systems as part of the OMS certification

By certifying a measurement system’s OMS interface, the measurement system manufacturer can provide confidence-instilling verification that their measurements systems satisfy the specifications of the OMS Group.

Successful OMS certification by DVGW CERT GmbH permits an entry in the OMS Group register for certified products.

Testing of immunity to static discharge
Testing of immunity to static electricity discharge © Matthias Bitsch

We offer the following interference immunity and emitted interference tests in the field of EMC, among others:

  • Safety-relevant EMC phenomena for gas and oil appliances (EN 60335-2-102)
  • Immunity to electromagnetic fields (EN 61000-4-3)
  • Immunity to electrostatic discharge “ESD” (EN 61000-4-2)
  • Immunity to electrical fast transient /bursts (EN 61000-4-4)
  • Immunity to surges (EN 61000-4-5)
  • Immunity to high-frequency, conducted disturbances (EN 61000-4-6)
  • Immunity to to voltage dips, short interruptions and voltage variations(EN 61000-4-11)
  • Immunity to frequency fluctuations (EN 61000-4-28)
  • Electromagnetic fields with regard to human exposure (EN 62233)
  • Emissions of harmonic currents, voltage fluctuations and flicker (EN61000-3-2 /-3-3)
  • wM-Bus interfaces for measurement systems
Testing of IP classification
Testing of protection against the penetration of solid foreign bodies in the course of the IP test © Matthias Bitsch

We can carry out the following electrical safety tests on electrical equipment of gas appliances, gas appliance components and electronic components:

  • Tests on the electric equipment of gas/oil heating appliances in line with EN 60335-2-102 and EN 60335-1
  • Tests on the electrical equipment of electric water heaters in line with EN 60335-2-21
  • Tests on the electrical equipment of electric room heaters in line with EN 60335-2-30
  • Tests on automatic electrical safety and control devices (EN 60730-x)
  • Degrees of protection provided by enclosures (IP code) (EN 60529)
  • Tests to assess the heat and fire resistance (e.g. BPT in line with EN 60695-10-2 and GWT in line with EN 60695-2-11)
  • Fault assessment for electric and electronic components
  • Software of safety components (EN 60730-1, Annex H; EN 60335-1, Annex R)
  • Tests on electrical equipment of furnaces in line with EN 50156-1
  • Tests on electrical equipment of machines in line with EN 60204-1
  • Tests on electrical measurement, safety, control and laboratory devices in line with EN 61010-1
Testing of a gas condensing boiler
Testing of a gas condensing boiler © Matthias Bitsch

We can test the following product groups, among others:

  • Automatic burner controls (EN 298, EN/IEC 60730-2-5)
  • Fuel/air ratio controls (EN 12067-2, ISO 23552-1)
  • Safety and control devices for gas appliances (EN 13611, ISO 23550)
  • Multifunctional controls (EN126, ISO 23551-8)
  • Automatic shut-off valves (EN 161, ISO 23551-1)
  • Thermoelectric flame supervision devices (EN 125, ISO 23551-6)
  • Valve proving systems (EN 1643, ISO 23551-4)
  • Pressure regulators (EN88-1/-2/-3, ISO 23551-2)
  • Pressure monitors/sensors (EN 1854, ISO 23551-7)
  • Temperature controllers/limiters (EN 14597, EN60730-2-9)
  • Temperature control functions (EN 16830)
Overview of relevant accreditations, standards and guidelines

Find out about the organisations with which the research center is accredited here

Find out more
Contacts
General questions for the group
Jörg Endisch
Gasanwendung ∙ Prüflaboratorium Gas ∙ Gruppenleiter Elektrotechnik
Phone+49 721 608-41247
email us
Specific questions on electrical safety/EMC tests
Severin Strauß
Gasanwendung ∙ Prüflaboratorium Gas ∙ Elektrotechnik ∙ Prüfingenieur
Phone+49 721 608-41261
email us
Specific questions on device/fitting tests
Michael Kunert
Gasanwendung ∙ Prüflaboratorium Gas ∙ Gruppenleiter Armaturen Prüfung
Phone+49 721 608-41252
email us
Additional test and analysis services

Hydrogen in the Test Laboratory Gas

The safe introduction of hydrogen is a cross-cutting task at the Test Laboratory Gas

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Materials

Sealing and corrosion protection materials, auxiliary supplies and more

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Fittings

Valves, regulators, connectors and more

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Gas appliances

From the camp stove through to combined heat and power units

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Fuel analytics

Comprehensive characterisation of all types of fuels

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Bildmotiv Seitenanfang: © Matthias Bitsch