NPQS

E15 – Miscellaneous Systems

National Productivity and Quality Specifications (NPQS)

E15 – Miscellaneous Systems

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CONTENTS
Page

SECTION E15-10, BATTERIES & CHARGERS 3

1. PRELIMINARIES AND GENERAL CLAUSES 3

1.1 Scope 3
1.2 Related Sections & Interfaces 3
1.3 Standards & Codes 3
1.4 Trade preliminaries 4

2. PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 4
2.1 General 4
2.2 Switchgear 6

3. MATERIALS 6
3.1 General 6
3.2 Lead-acid batteries 7
3.3 Nickel-Cadmium Alkaline Cells 7
3.4 Battery crates 7
3.5 Battery Stands 7
3.6 Battery Cabinets and Cubicles 8
3.7 Battery Chargers 9
3.8 Accessories 10

4. WORKMANSHIP 10
4.1 Installation 10

5. VERIFICATION AND SUBMISSIONS 11

5.1 Tests 11
5.2 Submissions 12

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ELECTRICAL WORKS SPECIFICATION,

WORK PACKAGE E15, MISCELLANEOUS SYSTEMS

SECTION E15-10, BATTERIES & CHARGERS

1. PRELIMINARIES AND GENERAL CLAUSES

Read this specification with preliminaries and all other contract documents.

1.1 Scope
Supply and install batteries and battery chargers to fulfil the functions listed
below:
a. Emergency lighting supply.
b. Operation of fire detection and alarm systems.
c. Operation of Emergency Voice Evacuation Systems.
d. Operation of security alarm systems.
e. Tripping and/or closing of LV and/or HV switchgear.
f. Standby power supply.
g. Starting of standby generator sets.
Provide batteries consisting of a group of cells connected in series or in series-
parallel to provide the output voltage and the storage capacity as detailed in the
Project Specific Data Sheets or shown on the drawings.
Provide all necessary accessories, connectors, enclosures and such like to form
a complete system.

1.2 Related Sections & Interfaces

No item.

1.3 Standards & Codes

1.3.1 General
Unless otherwise agreed by the SO/Engineer, the works are to comply with the
relevant requirements of the Standards and Codes listed below or referenced in
the body of the specification. Materials or products manufactured in accordance
with alternative Standards and Codes may be proposed for approval by the
SO/Engineer, provided it can be demonstrated that the materials or products
comply with the requirements of the specified standards. All Standards & Codes
quoted are current version, unless specific year references are noted.
Provide materials that comply with the relevant parts of the following Standards:
Battery cells SS 278
Lead-acid high performance 'Planté' IEC 60896-1 and IEC 60896-2
Lead-acid pasted positive plate IEC 60896-1 and IEC 60896-3
Lead-acid valve regulated sealed IEC 60896-1 and IEC 60896-2

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Sealed Nickel-Cadmium cylindrical IEC 60285

Sealed Nickel-Cadmium prismatic IEC 60622
Open Nickel-Cadmium prismatic IEC 60623
Battery chargers BS EN 60355
Containers and cell covers for lead-acid batteries SS 20
Separators for lead-acid batteries SS21
Sulphuric acid BS 3031
Potassium hydroxide (Test requirements) BS 5634
Battery water BS 4974 Grade A

1.3.2 Local Authorities

Ensure that the works comply with the relevant authority regulations and
directions.
Where the terms ”testing authority”, ”approving authority”, “relevant authority’’,
“local authority” or “local authorities” are used in this section, the bodies referred
to are as follows:
Energy Market Authority (EMA)
SP Services Ltd
Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA)
Fire Safety & Shelter Bureau
SPRING Singapore

1.4 Trade preliminaries

1.4.1 Operation and Maintenance Manual

Provide full information for inclusion in the O & M Manual.

1.4.2 Contractor Designs & Submissions

Where design verifications or design works & submissions are required to be
carried out, either in this specification or in Project Specific Data, employ a
suitably qualified QP to carry out and endorse the designs.

2. PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

2.1 General
Provide batteries, chargers and accessories that meet the performance
requirements and are suitable for use under tropical conditions and temperatures.
Provide batteries capable of maintaining the full specified current output for the
required discharge autonomy period at the rated output voltage.

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2.1.1 Emergency Lighting Systems

Provide sealed cylindrical nickel-cadmium rechargeable batteries complying with
IEC 60285 for emergency lighting units with integral power supply. Provide a
charging system designed to the cell manufacturer's specifications.
Provide battery and charger performance such that the lighting unit can satisfy
the requirements of BS 5266 and ICEL 1001 as applicable. Provide battery
capacities such as to provide a minimum of 1 hour duration at full output to
maintain light output (lumens) at the specified level under mains failure
conditions.
Provide high performance 'Planté' lead-acid batteries in accordance with IEC
60896-1 and IEC 60896-2 as applicable for use with central battery maintained
emergency lighting systems. Provide a float charging system with provision for
automatic boost. Provide a battery system rated for the steady load of the lighting
system given in the Project Specific Data. Provide a battery charger capable of
fully recharging a completely discharged battery in not more than 24 hours with
the charger operating in the 'boost' mode.

2.1.2 Fire Detection and Alarm, Voice Alarm and Security Systems
Provide sealed prismatic nickel-cadmium rechargeable batteries complying with
IEC 60622.
Provide batteries with a storage capacity sufficient to maintain the system for 72
hours in the standby mode and then supply the full alarm load for one hour,
without the battery terminal voltage falling below 84% of its nominal value.
Provide an automatic two-rate constant voltage type charger operating on the
float charging principle. Provide a manual control boost charge at a current
sufficient to fully recharge a completely discharged battery in not more than 24
hours.
Supply batteries and charger fully assembled in a composite cabinet or cubicle
with provision for a remote alarm to be signalled in the event of a battery or
charger fault.

2.1.3 Switchgear Tripping and Closing

Provide open prismatic nickel-cadmium rechargeable batteries complying with
IEC 60623.
Provide an automatic two-rate constant voltage type charger operating on the
float charging principle, with a manual boost charge control.
Supply batteries and charger fully assembled in a composite cabinet or cubicle.
For switchgear closing duties provide batteries with a storage capacity sufficient
to carry out 25 consecutive switch closing operations, singly and in rapid
succession, without the battery terminal voltage falling below 84% of its nominal
value. Provide a boost charge rate at a current sufficient to recharge a completely
discharged battery in not more than 20 hours.
For switchgear tripping duties provide batteries with a storage capacity sufficient
to carry out at least 100 consecutive switch tripping operations, singly and in
rapid succession, without the battery terminal voltage falling below 85% of its
nominal value. The switch tripping load is to be taken as 1.5kW for one second.

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Provide a boost charge rate at a current sufficient to recharge a completely

discharged battery in not more than 36 hours.

2.1.4 Standby Power Systems and Uninterruptible Power Supplies

For uninterruptible power supplies provide lead acid valve regulated sealed type
batteries complying with IEC 60896-1 and IEC 60896-2.
For general standby power systems provide lead-acid 'Planté' high performance
type batteries complying with IEC 60896-1 and IEC 60896-2.

2.1.5 Engine Starting

Provide lead-acid 'Planté' high performance type batteries complying with IEC
60896-1 and IEC 60896-2 for the starting of stationary internal combustion
engines.
Do not use ordinary automotive batteries for engine starting duty.
Install batteries in tiers on open racks as specified below, alongside the engines
which they serve.
Provide engine starting batteries with sufficient storage capacity to allow the
associated engine to be cranked, without firing, for six consecutive periods of ten
seconds each without the battery terminal voltage falling below 90% of its
nominal value.

2.2 Switchgear
Provide battery isolators and overcurrent protection as shown on the drawings.
Provide all switchgear with the correct making and breaking capacity for d.c. (not
a.c.) use.

3. MATERIALS

3.1 General
Provide low voltage cut-outs to prevent the voltage per cell falling below the
manufacturer's minimum cell voltage, for more than 1 minute in batteries of up to
1 hour discharge autonomy period and for more than 5 minutes in batteries of
longer discharge autonomy periods.
Permanently mark individual cells or groups of cells in monobloc containers by
means of engraving or embossing or by means of a permanent corrosion-proof
label, stating the following:
a. type of cell
b. electrolyte level (if relevant)
c. capacity in Ampere hours
d. manufacturer's name and reference
Clearly mark terminals '+' and '-' identified by permanent red and black colouring.
Ensure that markings and colours are distinguishable on each individual cell or
group of cells and on complete battery assemblies as installed in the final
configuration and in the permanent location.

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Provide water in accordance with BS 4974, Grade A for diluting sulphuric acid for
lead-acid batteries, or for dissolving potassium hydroxide for alkaline batteries, or
for topping up cells of either kind.

3.2 Lead-acid batteries

Provide intercell connectors of insulated antimonial lead or lead covered copper
or insulated copper cable suitable for bolt fitting to cell connection posts.
Provide connectors of low resistance and capable of carrying a current in
amperes equal to five times the ampere hour capacity of the battery without
undue volt drop or heating.
Supply vented cells in a fully charged condition and filled complete with dilute
sulphuric acid electrolyte having a specific gravity in the range of 1.200 to 1.240
at 20°C.
Do not use gel type electrolytes.

3.3 Nickel-Cadmium Alkaline Cells

Provide intercell connectors of plated annealed copper strip.
Provide connectors of low resistance and capable of carrying a current in
amperes equal to five times the ampere hour capacity of the battery without
undue volt drop or heating.
Supply batteries of cells in a discharged condition but complete with intercell
connectors and lugs, and filled with a solution of high purity potassium hydroxide
with an addition of lithium hydroxide to form an electrolyte having a specific
gravity of 1 19 at 20 C (± 0.02).
Provide potassium hydroxide for use in alkaline cells complying with the test
requirements of BS 5634 as are applicable.

3.4 Battery crates

Provide crates constructed of well seasoned hardwood treated and impregnated
to prevent deterioration or alternatively of a suitable welded plastic construction.
Provide crates held together by rust proofed wood screws and assembled so that
cells are insulated from each other and also separated from earth.

3.5 Battery Stands

Where batteries are not accommodated in cabinets or enclosures provide
purpose-built battery stands.
Provide free-standing battery stands rigidly constructed from substantial rolled
steel sections of adequate cross-section, and stiffened with bracing struts to
resist deformation of any kind under the loads to be expected in service.
Hot-dip galvanize all steelwork used in the construction of the stands in
accordance with BS 729 before assembly and treat with a minimum of three
coats of acid or alkali resisting paint or enamel appropriate to the type of battery
to be accommodated. As an alternative provide an epoxy powder coated finish.

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Supply stands complete with a suitable cover for the top of the batteries to
minimise dust collection.
Design stands to suit in every way the cells which they are intended to support.
Ensure that stands are dimensioned and arranged such that each and every cell
is easily accessible for topping up, testing and other maintenance operations.

3.6 Battery Cabinets and Cubicles

Where specified in the Project Specific Data Sheets or indicated on the drawings,
provide batteries in the following types of enclosure:
a. Wall mounted enclosure for batteries only
b. Wall mounted enclosure for batteries including battery charger
c. Free-standing floor mounted enclosure for batteries only
d. Free-standing floor mounted enclosure for batteries including battery charger
Provide an enclosure with an Index of Protection (IP rating) not less than that
specified.
Provide cubicles and cabinets rigidly constructed from zinc-coated sheet steel,
adequately stiffened by folding or by reinforcement.
Treat the interior surfaces of the battery compartment, by painting or otherwise, to
resist attack by acid or other chemical emissions from the battery.
In any cabinet or cubicle containing both battery and charger or other electrical
equipment, provide a separate compartment for the battery, completely isolated
from the electrical equipment.
Provide access to the battery from the front of the cabinet or cubicle, by means of
a hinged lift-off door or doors fitted with flush/lever type locking handles
incorporating a cylinder lock.
Provide doors with double-folded edges, stiffened as necessary to ensure
adequate rigidity. Treat the inside surfaces in the same way as the battery
compartment itself to resist corrosion.
Assemble the cells forming the battery neatly on a shelf or shelves within the
battery compartment to facilitate access for testing, topping up, etc.
Fit bushes to all holes in the barrier between the charger compartment and the
battery compartment to protect the battery cables against the risk of chafing.
Provide access to the battery charger compartment from the front of the cabinet
or cubicle, by means of a substantial hinged steel door, as specified for the
battery compartment, with locking flush/lever type handle as described
previously.
Alternatively, when the charger components are of such a size that they can be
mounted on the rear of the compartment front panel, the panel may either be
bottom-hinged with two retaining screws at the top or be of non-hinged design,
held in place by four or six securing screws.
Fix a prominent warning label to the charger compartment drawing attention to
the presence of mains voltages within.

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Provide suitable cable or conduit entries in the charger compartment for incoming
and outgoing a.c. mains and d.c. cables, and any control cables.
Ensure battery cabinets and cubicles are provided with an adequate number of
ventilating louvres to ensure proper ventilation of the battery compartment and
the removal of heat from the charger compartment. Provide vermin-proof screens
on all ventilating openings.

3.7 Battery Chargers

Provide battery chargers rated to supply any float charge or standing loading
plus any additional recharging load that may be imposed.
Unless stated otherwise in the Project Specific Data, provide battery chargers
suitable for use on a 230V, 50Hz mains supply.
Provide each battery charger housed in a substantial fabricated steel cabinet or
cubicle, as described above under the heading 'Battery cabinets and cubicles'. If
appropriate, this cabinet or cubicle may also accommodate the associated battery
in a separate compartment.
Battery chargers should preferably be of the solid state thyristor/transistor
controlled constant voltage type. The characteristics of each charger must match
the requirements of the specific batteries selected and the duty cycle.
Provide suitable filter circuits on the charger output to minimise harmonic current
content of the dc output.
Provide battery chargers to be of the automatic constant voltage or constant
current type as recommended by the battery manufacturer for the particular
application.
Provide battery chargers suitable for one of the following modes of operation, as
specified in the Project Specific Data:
a. Float charging.
b. Float charging with occasional manually controlled boost.
c. Float charging with automatically controlled boost.
d. Charge/Discharge cycle.
Provide battery chargers suitable for fully automatic charging of the appropriate
battery and with the following in addition to any particular requirements stated in
the Project Specific Data:
a. Fault protection
b. Output current limitation
c. Lamp indication for appropriate faults e.g. charger fail, low volts, high volts
and mains failure
d. Common fault contact for use with a central alarm system or BMS.
e. Audible system fault alarm complete with mute switch.
Provide battery chargers having, as a minimum, the following equipment and
facilities:

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a. Double-wound transformer with earthed metallic screen between primary and

secondary windings
b. Full-wave silicon controlled rectifier bridge capable of delivering the required
charging current.
c. Flush-mounted moving coil or digital ammeter (or milliammeter) to measure
charging/discharging current.
d. 'Battery test' push-button (push 'ON', release 'OFF').
e. Test circuit incorporating flush-mounted moving coil or digital 'state of charge'
indicator.
f. 'ON-OFF' control switch, and float/boost two position control switch in the
case of a two-rate charger.
g. Green indicator lamp to indicate 'MAINS ON'.
h. White or amber indicator lamp to show 'HIGH RATE CHARGING'/Boost (if
applicable).
i. Set of HRC cartridge fuses or MCBs for incoming mains supply.
j. Set of HRC cartridge fuses for outgoing d.c. supply.
Where float charging is specified provide chargers capable of supplying
continuously the sum of the trickle charge current and the normal steady load
current.
Where a 'boost' or 'high rate' facility is specified provide chargers capable of
recharging a fully discharged battery in not more than 24 hours.

3.8 Accessories
For each individual battery installation, provide the following ancillary apparatus
as appropriate:
a. Hydrometer
b. A quantity of distilled water in plastic containers, equal to 10% of the
aggregate volume of electrolyte in the battery.
c. An instruction card, sandwiched between sheets of transparent plastic,
setting out brief and simple instructions for the maintenance of the battery.
d. A suitable pump or injection device for topping up the cells from the bulk
storage.

4. WORKMANSHIP

4.1 Installation
Install all battery racks and floor mounted cabinets on a level floor or plinth.
Support metal stands on suitable insulated feet where batteries have a nominal
output voltage of 110V or more.
Provide insulated terminals or insulated battery covers wherever parts having a
potential difference of more than 110V can be touched simultaneously.
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Install batteries so as to enable all the cells to be properly inspected and

maintained.
Shield cells from direct sunlight.
Supply and install all connecting cables and cable support or containment in
accordance with the relevant parts of this Specification.
Indicate the polarity of the battery main connection cables ( not intercell
connections ) by the insulation colour or by coloured sleeving at each termination.
Use red for positive and black for negative. Alternatively use sleeving with '+' and
'-' indications.
Fix a permanent label to each battery cabinet, cubicle or to the battery room door
indicating the maximum d.c. voltage present and which pole of the battery system
is connected to earth. This requirement does not apply to starting batteries
mounted adjacent to the engine.
Provide two sets of instruction cards be provided at each battery installation,
giving instructions for maintenance of the battery and highlighting any dangers
and precautions together with details on resuscitation/first aid. Provide The
plastic laminated cards or cards sandwiched between sheets of transparent
plastic.
Provide two sets of safety maintenance equipment in accordance with the
recommendations of the battery manufacturer.

5. VERIFICATION AND SUBMISSIONS

5.1 Tests
Carry out all necessary test to demonstrate that the battery and charging system
meets the performance requirements stated in this Specification. Perform the
following test as a minimum:
a. Battery duration test on specified load(s)
b. Verification of final battery voltage after load test
c. Battery float charge voltage and current
d. Battery boost charge voltage and current
e. Battery recharge time
Carry out tests to demonstrate the correct operation of all battery charger
features and facilities as specified.
Provide all necessary calibrated voltmeters, ammeters and shunts to perform the
tests. Do not use any of the instruments provided as part of the battery charger
for these tests but check that all battery charger instruments are operating
correctly.
Provide suitable dummy loads or load banks where the normal load is inadequate
or not available.
Provide completed test certificates for the approval of the Engineer.

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5.2 Submissions
Provide written confirmation from the battery manufacturer that the proposed
battery charger is suitable for the batteries concerned. This is not required for
proprietary systems where the batteries and charger are supplied as a single
combined unit.

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