Building on more than two decades of experience developing new isolation manufacturing technologies and integrated circuits (ICs) for high-voltage systems, Texas Instruments introduced new portfolio of solid-state relays, including automotive-qualified isolated drivers and switches, that deliver industry-leading reliability to help make electric vehicles (EVs) safer. The new isolated solid-state relays also provide the smallest solution […]
Li-ion battery protectors prevent overcharging, overcurrent damage
Littelfuse, Inc. announced the new ITV4030, a series of 22 amp, three-terminal, surface-mountable Li-ion battery protectors. These 4.0 x 3.0 mm devices protect battery packs against overcurrent and overcharging (overvoltage) conditions. The innovative design uses embedded fuse and heater elements that provide fast response and reliable performance to interrupt the charging or discharging circuit before the […]
Long-life batteries harness the passivation effect
A little known chemical reaction helps extend battery life. Sol Jacobs, Tadiran Batteries As remote wireless devices become increasingly essential to the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), there is a growing need to understand the principles behind extended battery life. Many IIoT nodes require a battery-driven energy source. These off-grid low-power applications fall into two […]
April 2022 Special Edition: Internet of Things Handbook
How to turn off a smart meter the hard way Potential cyber attacks have a lot of people worried thanks to the recent conflict in Ukraine. So it might be appropriate to review what happened when cybersecurity fi rm FireEye’s Mandiant team demonstrated how to infiltrate the network of a North American utility. During this…
Plastic battery holders have optional built-in on/off switch
The widely used Densi-Pak covered plastic battery holders now include the option to have a built-in On/Off switch. The built-in On/Off switch eliminates the need for additional components in designs using “AA” and “AAA” batteries – a candidate for self-contained powering components in a variety of applications. These high-performance Battery Holders are made with an […]
What’s the status of EV charging connector standards?
Connectors for electric vehicle (EV) charging are both standardized and changing. On one level, EV charging connectors are standardized based on today’s technology limitations. There are standards in major regional markets, including North America, Japan, the European Union, and China. But current charging technologies are power limited. This FAQ begins with a review of EV […]
Power supply safety standards for home medical devices
Patients using blood pressure monitors and CPAP devices in non-clinical environments are protected by IEC 60601-1-11. Ron Stull, CUI Home medical devices can provide an excellent first line of defense when dealing with health and medical issues, and there is an increased need for at-home care for patients released from hospitals and other healthcare facilities.…
Battery Management Systems: Effective ways to measure state-of-charge and state-of-health
By Denis Larkin, Integra Sources Ltd. One of the purposes of battery management systems is to monitor the state-of-charge and state-of-health of rechargeable batteries. This article will tell you about these two metrics and the methods used to measure them. Rechargeable batteries are used in many solutions, but industries use battery management systems (BMSs) to […]
Li-ion batteries, Part 5: Electrolytes
The electrolyte is often an underappreciated component in Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries. They simply provide an electrical path between the anode and cathode that supports current (actually, ion) flow. But electrolytes are a key to battery performance, and advances in electrolyte chemistries are expected to be an important development leading to high-performance, safe, and low-cost Li-ions…
Li-ion batteries, Part 4: Separators
Separators in Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries literally separate the anode and cathode to prevent a short circuit. Modern separator technology also contributes to a cell’s thermal stability and safety. Separators impact several battery performance parameters, including cycle life, energy and power density, and safety. The separator increases internal cell resistance, and the separator takes up valuable…