Vibration testing is designed to simulate the vibration conditions that products may encounter during transportation, installation, and operation. It allows manufacturers to evaluate a product’s durability and structural reliability under different vibration environments.

This is particularly important for automotive electronics, which are often exposed to constant vibration and tough temperature changes over time, making vibration resistance a critical factor in ensuring long-term performance.

 

In recent years, as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and High-Performance Computing (HPC) applications have rapidly expanded, data centers have seen a significant increase in demand for deploying high-power AI servers and full rack systems. At the same time, system power density and overall weight have increased significantly. Some large rack systems can weigh as much as 1–2 metric tons (1000–2000 kg), far exceeding traditional electronic equipment. These systems may be exposed to continuous vibrations and sudden impacts during international shipping, on-site handling, and data center operation, which can damage structural integrity and overall reliability.


Therefore, rack-level structural and reliability validation has become a key factor in ensuring stable system operation. Vibration testing is no longer limited to individual units, but is increasingly extended to full rack-level validation. This allows for a more comprehensive evaluation of structural rigidity, connector reliability, cooling module stability, and the vibration resistance of storage devices. 
To ensure reliable operation in real-world deployment environments, system-level vibration validation can provide a comprehensive evaluation of:
  • Rack structural rigidity and resonance characteristics
  • Connector and high-power busbar fastening reliability
  • Stability of cooling modules under vibration conditions
  • Vibration resistance of storage devices and GPU modules
Standard vibration modes
  • Sinusoidal Vibration：Applied to identify mechanical resonance frequencies (Resonance Search) and validate system behavior at resonance points (Resonance Dwell) during development.
  • Random Vibration：Used to evaluate the overall structural vibration strength of the product and to simulate transportation conditions in packaged form.
 
  • Customized Vibration：For AI servers, rack systems, automotive electronics, and military products, combined modes such as Sine-on-Random vibration are also employed.
In terms of test standards, different regions and applications have their commonly adopted standards, Widely adopted international standards:
  1. General Electronics / Component Standards
    • U.S. customers: Commonly use ASTM, ISTA, and MIL-STD standards for vibration testing.
    • Japan / Europe customers: Typically follow EN, IEC, ETSI, and JIS standards.
    • mall/light components (e.g., ICs): MIL-STD and JESD are used as the primary standards.
  2. Standards for automotive systems and components
    • OEMs typically define their own standards
    • Common international standards include SAE, JASO, IEC, ISO
    • Active/passive components are often based on AEC (Automotive Electronics Council) standards
  3. Data Centers & International Transportation
    • Refer to Telcordia GR-63 (NEBS) for vibration and seismic testing requirements.
    • ASTM and ISTA transportation vibration tests verify the structural integrity of equipment during handling and operation.

    • OCP, Open Compute Project, reference designs and rack validation standards can be used to verify the structural integrity and reliability of large AI servers and racks during handling and operation.

  4. Rail, Industrial, and Edge Computing Applications：It is recommended to follow standards such as EN 50155/61373 or IEC for vibration testing to avoid structural damage or system interruptions, and to ensure stable long-term operation.

Compared to consumer electronics, vibration resistance requirements for AI servers, rack systems, and automotive electronics are more stringent. It also considers combined stress testing, including temperature, humidity, and vibration, to ensure the structure and modules remain reliable in real use. DEKRA iST provides comprehensive reliability verification services, covering active and passive components, modules, complete systems, and large-scale equipment weighing up to 2 tons. We deliver validation solutions tailored to industry needs and international standards.

Combined Temperature & Vibration Equipment — Vibration testing under temperature-controlled conditions

Vibration Test Equipment — Vibration testing of a rack wooden crate (2,000 kg)
















 

 

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