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| What
is a Battery |
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| A battery is
an electricity storage device which can be found
in any number of shapes, size, voltage and capacities.
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| When two conducting
materials (often dissimilar metals) are immersed
in a solution, an electrical potential will exist
between them is connected together through a closed
circuit, a current will flow. The value of this
potential (or voltage) is dependent on the materials
used, giving rise to a whole family of battery types
each having benefits and restrictions in use. Examples
are: - lead acid, nickel cadmium ( NiCad ), lithium,
silver alkaline. |
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| This manual
is concerned only with one battery technology ¨C
the most successful ¨C lead acid (lead and lead oxide
immersed in sulphuric acid). Each cell has a 2 volt
potential. |
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| A battery is
simply a number of cells connected together with
a given voltage and capacity. The more cells the
higher the voltage, the large the plates the higher
the capacity (in general). |
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| Purely for
convenience, batteries are made in 12 volt blocks
with 6 cells but are also available in 6 volt, 4
volt and even 2 volt, single cell blocks. |
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| Batteries can
be connected in series to achieve whatever voltage
is required (add the number of 2 volt cells) and
in parallel to achieve the capacity required (add
the capacities of each parallel battery or string
of batteries) . For larger systems, a number of
series connected strings maybe connected in parallel
with each other. This achieves both a higher voltage
and capacity. |
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| The
Lead-acid Battery |
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| There are two
concepts in lead-acid batteries and three basic
applications. |
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Two Concepts
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Three Basic Applications
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1.
Sealed or Regulated Lead Acid VRAL
2. Open-Vented
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1.
Industrial
2. Automotive (starter i.e. Cars, commercial
vehicles)
3. Traction (Electric motor drive i.e. milk
float)
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CAUTION:
ALWAYS USE A BATTERY BEST DESIGNED FOR THE APPLICATION.
This guide is focused on Industrial Standby applications
and NOT Automotive or Traction use. |
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| Industrial
Batteries |
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| Industrial
batteries are available from two distinct groups
with the following features. Note: VRLA have superseded
open-vented in many applications |
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OPEN-VENTED
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VRLA/SEALED
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1.
Older technology
2. Require separated battery room
3. Regular routine maintenance
4. Separate safety requirements
5. Store/use in vertical position
6. Can require extensive cabling
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1. Environmentally friendly
2. Use directly in office environment
3. Low maintenance-"maintenance free"
4. Self-contained. Safe
5. Store/use in any orientation
6. Can be used internal or adjacent to load
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VRLA
has in many instances replaced the open-vented
type.
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| Note:
The term sealed lead-acid SLA is an old acronym
Considered misleading and is now replaced by Valve
Regulated Lead Acid VRLA. |
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