Learn how to test lead-acid batteries for commercial and industrial applications according to Australian and New Zealand Standards.
AU/NZ Standards
This section of the course covers:
According to Australian Standards forInstallation, Maintenance, Testing and Replacement of Secondary Batteries in Buildings(AS 2676.1 and .2), in general, in a capacity test, a battery’s ability to deliver a specified current for a specified time is measured.
A capacity test may be carried out on a battery for the following reasons:
To determine whether the battery complies with its specification, or the manufacturer’s rating, at the time of commissioning.
To periodically determine whether the capacity of the battery is being maintained.
To determine whether the battery is able to operate satisfactorily at the duty-cycle required of it by the DC system to which it is connected.
The main purposes of testing
Testing to prove performance
A performance test of a battery’s capacity should be made as part of the commissioning procedure, then periodically (typically every two years).
A performance test of a battery’s capacity should be given to any battery that shows signs of degradation or has reached 85% of the service-life expected for the application. Degradation is indicated when the battery capacity drops more than 10% of the battery’s rated capacity, as compared to its average previous performance tests, or if it is below 90% of the manufacturer’s rating.
There are several 'gotchas' when conducting performance tests on new batteries. This section of the course covers the nuances of capacity testing to prove compliance or evaluate performance.
Testing as part of routine servicing
A service test of a battery’s capacity may be carried out to ensure a specific application requirement is met on completion of the installation. This is a test of the battery’s ability to satisfy the operational requirements (battery / load duty cycle) of the DC or AC UPS system.
This section of the course covers a framework of how to test batteries in a range of applications.
Testing for peace of mind
Customers often want their batteries discharge tested, even if their battery charger includes active battery health monitoring. Proprietary electronic battery monitoring systems supplied within battery charger systems cannot satisfy the requirements of AU/NZ or international standards for performance and service-testing of batteries and facilities managers can loose their jobs if batteries that back up critical infrastructure fail under their watch.
This section of the course covers compares and contrasts battery management systems and discharge capacity testing. It teachers learners why routine verification of capacity by way of discharge-testing is still mandatory on tier-1 projects.