Multichannel power monitors help simplify battery-based systems employing multiple current sensors. Mitch Polonsky • Microchip Technology Inc. Designers of power systems can be forgiven for having some confusion about power monitors. Some of them may even be using a multichannel power monitor without knowing it. That’s because, regrettably, several different phrases are used to refer […]
Inside a modern power management IC
PMICs today do a lot more than just regulate voltages. Here’s a look at high-end functions these devices provide. Narasimhan Trichy • Qorvo Superior power management and high efficiency have become essential as electronics have become increasingly smaller and more streamlined. The reduction of power dissipation and consequent heat and thermal issues is critical to […]
Identifying the right medical power supply
Special considerations apply for power supplies when even small electrical currents pose a shock hazard. Dermot Flynn, Chris Jones • Advanced Energy The consequences of leakage current came to the forefront in the 1970s, and since then technical standards for the safety and effectiveness of medical electrical equipment have evolved to become the most stringent […]
Dry cell vs wet cell batteries
Wet cell batteries have a pool of liquid electrolytes; they generate gases meaning they require venting and must be kept upright to avoid leakage. Dry cell batteries use paste electrolytes, which contain enough liquid for good electrical conductivity, but are stable enough not to leak when turned upside down. The first batteries were wet cells…
What is cell potential?
In simple terms, cell potential is the voltage of a single electrochemical cell. A battery may package a number of cells in series in order to increase the voltage of the battery. Cell potential is inherent in a particular chemical reaction, so a fully charged lead-acid battery will always have cell potentials of approximately 2.1…
What is an electrode?
In general, an electrode is an electrical conductor which makes contact with a non-metallic part of a circuit. In a battery, the electrodes connect the battery terminals to the electrolyte. The electrode at the positive terminal is known as the cathode and the electrode at the negative terminal is known as the anode. Each electron…
Batteries boost wireless connectivity to the IIoT
Self-powered electronic devices that define the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) have special needs that can be addressed through the judicious selection of battery chemistry. SOL JACOBS | TADIRAN BATTERIES Going ‘truly wireless’ typically necessitates the use of primary (non-rechargeable) or rechargeable lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries. Besides untethering applications from ac lines, use of rechargeable batteries […]
EV technology goes industrial: Scenes from the Battery Show
Attendees of this year’s Battery Show in Novi, Mich., could be excused for not knowing what to expect on the show floor as trade events start to come back from a year-and-a-half hiatus. The above clip gives a glimpse of what the experience was like. Aside from the occasional mask wearer, it seemed like business […]
Battery safety standards and testing
Lithium-ion battery (LIB) safety is a major concern for designers. LIBs are generally safe to use if they have been properly manufactured and are integrated correctly into systems. However, the use of sub-standard materials and the possibility of manufacturing or design defects can result in hazardous conditions. As a result, there are many global safety […]
Solid-state EV batteries – are we there yet?
The short answer is ‘no.’ We might be getting closer, but there’s still no guarantee that we’ll get there soon. Some automakers are looking at 2024 for the introduction of solid-state batteries in EVs, but others don’t see that happening until 2030. Expectations are high but unfulfilled. This FAQ reviews the anticipated benefits of solid-state…