The ZEB Test Cell Laboratory. A facility for characterization of building envelope systems under real outdoor conditions

The ZEB Test Cells Laboratory is an experimental facility at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, designed to carry out different types of experiments. The primary use is for testing of building envelope systems, either in comparative or in calorimetric tests, but given the nature and the equipment of the test facility, the interaction between building envelope systems and HVAC terminal units can also be tested. Tests on the interaction between building envelope, building equipment, and building technologies in general can also be performed. Finally, indoor environmental quality analyses, with or without the presence of users in the test cell room, are also possible.

The paper gives a detailed report of the characteristics of the facility, including the equipment for climatic control, the monitoring system, and the control systems. Limitations, challenges and potentials improvements to fine tune the test rig are presented too.