Inst ToolsInst ToolsInst Tools
  • Ask
  • Courses
  • Videos
  • Q & A
    • Interview
      • Instrumentation
      • Electronics
      • Electrical
      • Practical Questions
    • MCQ
      • Instrumentation MCQ
      • Electrical MCQ
      • Electronics MCQ
      • Control Systems MCQ
      • Analog Electronics MCQ
      • Digital Electronics MCQ
      • Power Electronics MCQ
      • Microprocessor MCQ
      • Multiple Choice Questions
  • EE
    • Electronics
      • Electronics Q & A
      • Electronic Basics
      • Electronic Devices & Circuits
      • Electronics Animation
      • Digital Electronics
    • Electrical
      • Electrical Basics
      • Electrical Q & A
      • Power Electronics
      • Electrical Machines
      • Electrical Animation
      • Power Systems
      • Switchgear & Protection
      • Transmission & Distribution
  • Measure
    • Control Valves
    • Calibration
    • Temperature
    • Pressure
    • Flow
    • Level
    • Analyzers
    • Switches
    • Vibration
    • Solenoid Valve
  • Control
    • PLC Tutorials
    • Control Systems
    • Safety Instrumented System (SIS)
    • Communication
    • Fire & Gas System
  • More
    • Design
    • Tools
    • Animation
    • Basics
    • Formulas
    • Standards
    • TextBooks
    • Common
    • Software
    • Excel Tools
    • Erection & Commissioning
    • Process Fundamentals
    • Videos
    • Books
Search
All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited.
Reading: Battery Hazards
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Inst ToolsInst Tools
Font ResizerAa
  • Courses
  • PLC Tutorials
  • Control Systems
Search
  • Ask
  • Courses
  • Videos
  • Q & A
    • Interview
    • MCQ
  • EE
    • Electronics
    • Electrical
  • Measure
    • Control Valves
    • Calibration
    • Temperature
    • Pressure
    • Flow
    • Level
    • Analyzers
    • Switches
    • Vibration
    • Solenoid Valve
  • Control
    • PLC Tutorials
    • Control Systems
    • Safety Instrumented System (SIS)
    • Communication
    • Fire & Gas System
  • More
    • Design
    • Tools
    • Animation
    • Basics
    • Formulas
    • Standards
    • TextBooks
    • Common
    • Software
    • Excel Tools
    • Erection & Commissioning
    • Process Fundamentals
    • Videos
    • Books
Follow US
All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited.
Inst Tools > Blog > Electrical Theory > Battery Hazards

Battery Hazards

Last updated: July 27, 2018 9:06 pm
Editorial Staff
Electrical Theory
No Comments
Share
5 Min Read
SHARE

Because batteries store large amounts of energy, there are certain hazards that are associated with battery operation. These hazards must be fully understood to ensure safe operation of batteries.

Contents
Shorted CellGas GenerationBattery TemperatureBattery Hazards Summary :

Shorted Cell

Cell short circuits can be caused by several conditions, which include the following: faulty separators; lead particles or other metals forming a circuit between the positive and negative plates; buckling of the plates; or excessive sediments in the bottom of the jar. The primary cause of some of these occurrences is overcharging and over-discharging of the battery, which causes sediment to build up due to flaking of active material and buckling of cell plates.

Over-charging and over-discharging should be avoided at all costs. Short circuits cause a great reduction in battery capacity. With each shorted cell, battery capacity is reduced by a percentage equal to one over the total number of cells.

Gas Generation

A lead-acid battery cannot absorb all the energy from the charging source when the battery is nearing the completion of the charge. This excess energy dissociates water by way of electrolysis into hydrogen and oxygen. Oxygen is produced by the positive plate, and hydrogen is produced by the negative plate. This process is known as gassing.

Gassing is first noticed when cell voltage reaches 2.30-2.35 volts per cell and increases as the charge progresses. At full charge, the amount of hydrogen produced is about one cubic foot per cell for each 63 ampere-hours input. If gassing occurs and the gases are allowed to collect, an explosive mixture of hydrogen and oxygen can be readily produced. It is necessary, therefore, to ensure that the area is well ventilated and that it remains free of any open flames or spark producing equipment.

As long as battery voltage is greater than 2.30 volts per cell, gassing will occur and cannot be prevented entirely. To reduce the amount of gassing, charging voltages above 2.30 volts per cell should be minimized (e.g., 13.8 volts for a 12 volt battery).

Battery Temperature

The operating temperature of a battery should preferably be maintained in the nominal band of 60 – 80°F. Whenever the battery is charged, the current flowing through the battery will cause heat to be generated by the electrolysis of water. The current flowing through the battery (I) will also cause heat to be generated (P) during charge and discharge as it passes through the internal resistance (Ri), as illustrated using the formula for power in Equation.

P = I2Ri

Higher temperatures will give some additional capacity, but they will eventually reduce the life of the battery. Very high temperatures, 125°F and higher, can actually do damage to the battery and cause early failure.

Low temperatures will lower battery capacity but also prolong battery life under floating (i.e., slightly charging) operation or storage. Extremely low temperatures can freeze the electrolyte, but only if the battery is low in specific gravity.

Battery Hazards Summary :

  • Short circuits cause a great reduction in battery capacity.
  • To prevent short circuits in a battery, overcharging and over-discharging should be avoided at all costs.
  • The adverse effect of gassing is that if gassing occurs and the gases are allowed to collect, an explosive mixture of hydrogen and oxygen can be readily produced.
  • To reduce the amount of gassing, charging voltages above 2.30 volts per cell should be minimized.
  • Whenever the battery is charged, the current flowing through the battery will cause heat to be generated by the electrolysis of water and by I2Ri power generation.
  • Higher temperatures will give some additional capacity, but they will eventually reduce the life of the battery. Very high temperatures, 125°F and higher, can actually do damage to the battery and cause early failure.
Don't Miss Our Updates
Be the first to get exclusive content straight to your email.
We promise not to spam you. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Invalid email address
You've successfully subscribed !
Calculate Power in Series RC Circuit
Calculate Power in Parallel RCL Circuit
Losses in AC Generator
Shunt-Wound Motor Operation
Single Phase AC Induction Motors
Share This Article
Facebook Whatsapp Whatsapp LinkedIn Copy Link
Share
Leave a Comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Stay Connected

128.3kFollowersLike
69.1kFollowersFollow
208kSubscribersSubscribe
38kFollowersFollow

Categories

Recent Comments

  • Guifty Shimica on Top Non-PLC Certification Courses for Automation Professionals
  • Guifty Shimica on Top Non-PLC Certification Courses for Automation Professionals
  • MIHARITSOA Aina Sitraka on Top Non-PLC Certification Courses for Automation Professionals
  • Vaishnavi on Free Instrumentation Course for Trainee Engineers

Related Articles

Chemical Battery

Batteries

Forward Bias

Rectifiers, Forward Bias and Reverse Bias

Single Line Diagram

Single Line Diagram

Left-hand Rule for Current Carrying Conductors

Magnetism

Transformer Tap changer

Transformer Mutual Induction

Moving Iron Vane Meter Movement

Moving Iron Vane Meter Movement

Single Phase Motor Manual Controller

Motor Controllers

Thermoelectricity principle

Methods of Producing Voltage (Electricity)

More Articles

difference between invasive and non-invasive and intrusive and non-intrusive

Difference between Invasive, Non-invasive, Intrusive & Non-intrusive

PLC Program for 2 Push buttons to Control 1 Output

PLC Program for 2 Push buttons to Control 1 Output

Allen-Bradley MicroLogix controller

Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) Questions and Answers – 16

Difference Between the Control Valve and Shut-off Valve

Difference Between the Control Valve and Shut-off Valve

Solenoid-Valve-Manual-Reset-function

Solenoid Valve with Manual Reset Working Principle

PLC Timer Program

PLC Timer Instructions

Stability and Uniformity of Temperature Bath

Stability and Uniformity of Temperature Bath

Automation in the Construction Industry

Automation in the Construction Industry

Follow US
All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited.
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?