BATTERY COMMISSIONING

BATTERY USE
SAFETY RULES

BATTERY USE
SAFETY RULES

Safety instructions
Please follow instructions
provided by Saft installation and
operating instruction sheets.

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BATTERY USE
SAFETY RULES

Risks
Physical

Electrical

Chemical

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BATTERY USE
SAFETY RULES

Risks
Physical

Handling : lift with the legs and not the

back. Use handles or a lifter.

Protective shoes are recommended

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BATTERY USE
SAFETY RULES

Risks
Electrical

Voltage

take extra care when more than 40

cells are connected in series

High current

all Ni-Cd batteries have high short

circuit current
do not wear jewelry when working on
batteries
use insulated tools
connect in sub-units of max. 48V

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BATTERY USE
SAFETY RULES

Risks
Chemical

2.4

Protection against corrosive

electrolyte

Wear rubber gloves

Wear glasses

Wear protective clothing

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BATTERY USE
SAFETY RULES

Risks
Chemical

In case of electrolyte contact

Eye contact :
rinse abundantly with water
and seek immediate medical
attention

Skin contact :
wash abundantly with water

Electrolyte on clothes :
wash in water

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BATTERY USE
SAFETY RULES

Protection
Gloves
Glasses
Eye wash
Safety shoes
Apron

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BATTERY USE
SAFETY RULES

Explosion hazards
Hydrogen concentrations over 4%

Outside the cells

provide adequate ventilation

avoid accumulation of hydrogen

Inside the cells

keep safety vents closed

take care during topping-up
be aware of static electricity

Take care

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never use open flame or smoke

near batteries
be aware of static electricity

BATTERY COMMISSIONING

BATTERY
WATER
CONSUMPTION
& VENTILATION

BATTERY ELECTRICAL CHARACTERISTICS

WATER CONSUMPTION & VENTILATION

Water consumption
Water loss is associated with the current used for overcharging.
A battery which is constantly cycled, (i.e. is charged and
discharged on a regular basis), will consume more water than a
battery on standby operation.

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BATTERY ELECTRICAL CHARACTERISTICS

WATER CONSUMPTION & VENTILATION

Ventilation
Gas generation
Charging (float, boost)

gas generation

1 Ah overcharge decomposes H2O into :

0.42 l H2 + 0.21 l 02
Decomposition of 1 cm (1g) H2O requires :
3 Ah
Safety limit from gas explosion

< 4% vol hydrogen concentration

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BATTERY ELECTRICAL CHARACTERISTICS

WATER CONSUMPTION & VENTILATION

Ventilation
Ventilation requirements :

The purpose of ventilating a battery location is to

maintain the hydrogen concentration below 4% (US 2%)
vol hydrogen threshold.
Check the local regulations regarding battery installation
and ventilation.

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BATTERY ELECTRICAL CHARACTERISTICS

WATER CONSUMPTION & VENTILATION

Ventilation
Ventilation air flow (Q) calculation formula is :

Number of cells

Current producing gas in mA

per Ah rated capacity

Q = 0.05 x n x Igas x Crt x 10 [m / h]

Capacity C5 for NiCd cells

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BATTERY ELECTRICAL CHARACTERISTICS

WATER CONSUMPTION & VENTILATION

Ventilation

The current producing gas is determined by the formulas :

Igas = Ifloat x fg x fs [mA / Ah]
Igas = Iboost x fg x fs [mA / Ah]

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BATTERY ELECTRICAL CHARACTERISTICS

WATER CONSUMPTION & VENTILATION

Ventilation
New IEC std
62585-2

Electrical protection against charger malfunction must be provided.

If not the ventilation should be calculated to correspond with the maximum current
available from the charger
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