What are the Charging Of Electrical Batteries

Charging Method Of Electrical Batteries in 2024-Electronicsinfos

Charging electrical batteries is the process their energy storage by supplying electrical current to them.

There are two types are batteries available in the market Rechargeable Batteries and Non-Rechargeable Batteries.

Rechargeable Batteries are designed to be charged and discharged multiple times, such as lithium-ion batteries, lead-acid batteries, nickel-cadmium batteries, and nickel-metal hydride batteries.

Alkaline batteries and zinc-carbon batteries are examples of Non-Rechargeable Batteries.

The time required to fully charge a battery depends on its capacity, charging rate, and the charging method used. There are different charging methods including

Method Of Charging Storage Battery

Storage Batteries are charged by different Methods including

Constant Current Charged Method
Constant Potential Charged Method
Trickle Charging
Emergency Heavy Charge
Equalizing charge
Floating Charge

Constant Current Charging Method

The constant current charging method is a technique used to charge electrical batteries, particularly rechargeable batteries, in a controlled manner.

In this method, a constant current is supplied to the battery throughout the charging process By limiting the charging current, this method helps protect the battery from damage caused by excessive charging rates, which can lead to overheating, electrolyte loss, and reduced battery lifespan.

The constant current charging method is used for different types of rechargeable batteries, including lithium-ion (Li-ion), nickel-metal hydride (NiMH), lead-acid, and others.

Constant Potential Charging Method

Constant Potential Charging method in which Charging voltage is constant throughout the Charging process. The charging current is high in the beginning when a battery is in a discharged condition and gradually drops off as the battery picks up charge resulting in increased back emf.

This is a common method to charge the battery in Shops and on automotive equipment. The disadvantage of this method is not suitable for sulphate batteries because it needs prolonged charging at a low rate.

The average voltage during charging is 2.33 volts.

Trickle Charging

Trickle Charging is when the battery is charged at a low rate to keep the battery already charged and also take care of small intermittent discharges. however, overcharging must be avoided as overcharging even at a slow rate.

Emergency Heavy Charge

The emergency Heavy charge method is used to charge at a high rate for a short time without any damage so long as the temperature does not exceed 50 degrees.

Equalizing charge

An Extended Charge is given to a battery to ensure the complete restoration of the active materials, on the plates. it is especially essential for those batteries which have to operate under conditions of partial charge for long periods.

Floating Charge

A floating charge is a term used for connecting a battery to a source of constant voltage to maintain it in fully charged conditions.

Identification of Connection

The positive terminal and negative terminal are connected with the DC input source. if we don't know which terminal is positive or negative for the charger we can test the following procedure.

Put a Lamp in series with one of the charger leads and cautiously dip the ends of the two leads in a weak solution of sulphuric acid. when the current is flowing the lead at which the fewest gas bubbles are given off, is the positive lead.

Safety Precaution During Charging

The Electrolyte should be added to a battery only after the electrolytes have cooled to room temperature. The Temperature of batteries should be watched carefully during charging and not allowed to exceed 43-45 degrees.
During Charging the hydrometer reading of each cell should be recorded hourly and set according to the state of charge of the battery.
No Metal Tools should be used on batteries without Switching off the Battery charger.
The gasses, hydrogen and oxygen issuing from a battery under charge can explode if a spark or flame is brought to near.
The Batteries Should be charged in a well-ventilated place so that the gasses and the acid fumes are blown away.
Do not disturb any Connection with the charger on as there risk of sparking.
If acids or electrolytes get spattered into the eyes, wash them immediately with a large quantity of water.
Ammonia Solution should be kept on hand to neutralize the acid effect.