Data center performance with Fluke battery analyzers
Battery testing
It only takes one bad cell to take down an entire string.
Your batteries protect you and your clients from interruptions and anomalies in power and give you peace of mind in your quest to never let the system go down. But batteries have a myriad of vulnerabilities, and it only takes one bad cell to take down an entire string.
Common causes of battery failure
Heat
The main cause of battery failure is heat. For every 8 oC (15 oF) (average) temperature, battery life is halved. Increased temperature causes electrolyte to be expelled from the battery, which degrades the plates. Early stages of dry-out can result in drops in capacity that are not readily apparent. Early detection of this type of failure is important. Once a battery is damaged by heat it is impossible to restore capacity.
Overcharging/ undercharging
Charging problems in batteries can result in shedding, corrosion, and sulfation (where lead oxide turns to a crystal form.) Sulfation-reducing technologies can lower this risk, but once present sulfation can be impossible to remove and those batteries should really just be replaced.
Vibration
Vibration can lead to multiple failures, including corrosion, internal shorts, damage to connections, and inability to charge or discharge.
Internal short
According to the 2010 BCI Failure Modes Study, shorted batteries currently account for 18 percent of battery failures. Battery shorts can be caused by all of the issues described here, in addition to manufacturing defects, lead drop and excessive shock.
Age
Generally speaking, the older the battery the more likely it is to experience failure. Older batteries are also more likely to exhibit increased impedance, and can yield differing voltages that cause them to fall out of line from the string.
New!
Fluke BT500 Series Battery Analyzers
The new Fluke BT500 Series Battery Analyzers reduce testing complexity, simplify workflow to greatly reduce test time for battery strings, and provide a new level of ease-of-use in battery testing.
The new Fluke BT500 Series Battery Analyzer is the ideal test tool for maintenance, troubleshooting and performance testing of individual stationary batteries and battery banks used in critical battery back-up applications. The intuitive user interface, compact design and rugged construction ensure optimum performance, test results and reliability. Fluke BT500 Series Battery Analyzers cover a broad range of battery test functions ranging from dc voltage and resistance tests to full condition testing using an automated string function testing and the test probe integrated infrared temperature measurement system. BT500 Series Battery Analyzers are designed for measurements on stationary batteries of all types.
�� Highest safety rating in the industry:
CAT III 600 V, 1000 V dc max. rated for safe measurements all around the battery power supply equipment.
�� Sequence measurement mode:
Automatic or manual sequence testing of battery strings with automatic measurement storage including voltage, resistance and temperature (with BTL21 intelligent test probe).
�� Comprehensive logging:
All measured values are automatically captured during testing and can be reviewed on the instrument before downloading for on the-go analysis.
�� Threshold comparison:
Configure multiple reference values and thresholds for resistance and voltage. Comparison result feedback after each measurement via visual and verbal cues.
�� Enhanced data analysis:
Quickly compare trends, analyze results and create reports with included battery management software.
�� Wireless communication and/or USB port:
For data download and remote display whilemeasuring. Browse and email measurement data via iOS app. (For BT521 Only)
