APPLICATION NOTE

Battery Ohmic Measurement AC or DC?

What frequency should be used for ohmic testing? (DC, Low Frequency AC or High Frequency AC)

Ohmic measurements can be performed with AC or DC current. Which provides the

most information about the battery? To answer this we first have to ask what the
characteristics of a battery are.

Below is an image of the Randle’s equivalent circuit.

Ri = the resistance of the plates,
electrolyte and inter-cell connections

Rct = the resistance of the charge

transfer

ZW = the Warburg diffusion element.

This models the diffusion process
associated with the charge transfer.

L = the inductance

Cdl = double layer effect

From this equivalency circuit it is clear to see that a battery has resistive, capacitive as
well as some inductive characteristics. (The inductive characteristics are minimal.)

What is the double layer effect (Cdl)?

This double layer effect appears where a conductive

electrode and an adjacent liquid electrolyte meet. At this
boundary two layers of ions with opposing polarity form
when a voltage is applied. The two layers of ions are
separated by a single coating of solvent molecules that
adheres to the surface of the electrode and acts like a
dielectric, forming a capacitor.

This layer can become non uniform and change, often

before resistive changes are seen in the plates or the
electrolyte.

When testing with DC current only the resistive properties of the battery are tested. The
double layer capacitive charge is completely ignored. In addition the Warburg diffusion
element (ZW) is also an impedance measurement.

Megger USA - Valley Forge Corporate Center

2621 Van Buren Avenue, Norristown, Pennsylvania, 19403, USA
T. 1-610 676 8500 F. 1-610-676-8610
APPLICATION NOTE

Battery Ohmic Measurement AC or DC?

An impedance measurement is required in order to evaluate all, the resistive as well as

capacitive and inductive characteristics of a battery.

Where:
Z = Impedance
R = Resistance
X = Inductive Reactance
L

X = Capacitive Reactance

When measuring with high frequency AC the inductive properties

become predominant. The higher the test frequency f the greater XL.

When measuring with low frequency AC the capacitive properties

become predominant.
The lower the test frequency f the greater XC.

In reality the two predominate properties of a battery are resistive and capacitive.
Therefore low frequency AC testing is the preferred method for testing batteries. Low
frequency measurement will measure the changes in plates, electrolytes, inter-cell
connections, double layer capacitance as well as the charge transfer.

By measuring all the characteristics of the battery it is possible to see changes in the
state of health earlier in the batteries aging process. This allows for better maintenance
and reliability.

The BITE product line from Megger performs AC testing of batteries at frequencies
between 50 and 60Hz. Providing a clear view of not only the resistive elements of the
battery but the double layer effect as well. This provides earlier detection of changes in
the state of health of the battery and therefore better reliability.

Megger USA - Valley Forge Corporate Center

2621 Van Buren Avenue, Norristown, Pennsylvania, 19403, USA
T. 1-610 676 8500 F. 1-610-676-8610