White Papers
Prevention Through Design: Strategies To Reduce The Hazards Of Stationary Battery Systems Through Intelligent Design
Introduction Stationary battery systems have a high potential for electrical risk but with proper forethought and the implementation of simple design features, we can reduce that risk. This paper discusses simple but often overlooked or misapplied methods of improving...
Hurricane Restoration: Tales from the Field
Introduction On August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina slammed into Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama causing damage on scale never before witnessed in the affected area. Three weeks later, Hurricane Rita slammed into southwest Louisiana and southeast Texas causing...
Storing Lithium Batteries – The Safety Needs & Regulatory Requirements
Introduction A major benefit of Lithium-ion batteries is the amount of power they can store. Unfortunately, this can also be a drawback because if this energy is released in an uncontrolled manner a very intense fire is the typical result. This can occur during...
Reducing the Hazards of Stationary Battery Systems Through Intelligent Design
Introduction Stationary battery systems have a high potential for electrical risk, but the risks can be reduced with the implementation of simple design features. Stationary battery systems are traditionally used in telecommunications, switchgear systems, (MCC,...
Hydrogen Gas Monitoring in Stationary & Utility Applications
Introduction: Risk—Monitored and Unmonitored Both Lead Acid and Nickel Cadmium batteries produce flammable hydrogen gas during normal charging. Overcharging, excessive heat and many other factors can quickly cause batteries to produce even more hydrogen. As hydrogen...
Short Circuit Battery Installation Damage
Introduction An electrical contractor created a short circuit during a battery installation. In 2016, we received a called for assistance from one of our customers when their “embedded” electrical contractor installed two battery systems in a new unit at their...
Testing Internal Resistance of VRLA Batteries
Introduction Battery system maintenance and monitoring are key elements in the reliability of any DC battery powered system and are IEEE and NERC requirements. Also, most battery manufacturers require regular maintenance and maintenance records of purchased batteries...
Tubular vs. Flat Plate Battery Design
Introduction Lead-acid batteries have been around for more than 150 years. While flat plate models with a lattice grid represented a technological leap forward in 1881, tubular construction is a more robust technology with many advantages. With advancements such as...
Battery Damage Caused by Unqualified Installers
Introduction An electrical contractor damaged jars during installation resulting in delayed leaks surfacing after new battery and battery building was turned over to plant operations. In 2017 we received a call from a utility customer who reported leaking cells in a...
Battery Warranties Explained
Introduction: Battery Warranties The idea of the 20-year warranty began in the 1960s as a marketing campaign for lead calcium batteries. With newer battery technologies being developed with different design, performance and construction principles, the industry finds...
The Risks of Unmonitored Hydrogen in Motive Power Applications
Introduction: Hydrogen Risks in Industrial Settings From lead acid to LiOn to NiCad, all batteries produce flammable hydrogen gas during normal charging. Overcharging, excessive heat and many other factors can quickly cause batteries to produce even more hydrogen. As...
Managing Temperature Extremes in Substation Battery Applications
Introduction • Over the course of one year, SBS assessed multiple 125-volt DC substation battery systems in Wisconsin and Florida which were housed in enclosures that were not temperature regulated • The battery systems in Florida were regularly exposed to extreme...