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 builds up, the risk of fire, explosion and material degradation increases. This white paper explores the types of hazards presented by hydrogen, how hydrogen can build up, and the changing regulations and codes that address battery charging stations and installations. A discussion follows on monitoring solutions to meet those regulations and prevent danger. To begin with, some real world cases illustrate the need and effectiveness of direct monitoring