FAQ's

Description

Brief note on VRLA technology.

Why freshening charge is required for VRLA batteries?

External factors effect on Life of VRLA Battery.

Difference between Conventional type Vs VRLA Technology.

Difference between SMF- Automotive Vs SMF- VRLA.

Difference between Ni-Cd Vs VRLA.

How to calculate the Heat dissipation from a given battery bank?

Calculation for Hydrogen gas liberation from a given battery bank.

What is the Cycle life in VRLA Batteries & its effect on life of the battery?

AGM advantages over both gelled and flooded, at about the same cost as gelled.

Why aging factor required for battery sizing calculation?

What is the minimal maintenance that need to carry on VRLA to get optimum life?

How the AC ripple voltage and current effects on battery performance?

Explain the Capacity test Procedure for ARBL Make -VRLA batteries.

Brief note on VRLA technology

The electrode reactions in all lead acid batteries including VRLA batteries are basically identical. As the battery is

discharged the lead dioxide positive active material and the spongy lead negative active material both reacts with the

sulphuric acid electrolyte to form lead sulphate and water. During charge, this process is reversed. The coulomb

efficiency of the charging process is less than 100% on reaching final stage of charging or under over charge

conditions, the charging energy is consumed for electrolytic decomposition of water and the positive plates generate

oxygen gas and the negative plates generate hydrogen gas.

Under typical charging conditions, oxygen at the positive plate occurs before hydrogen evolution at the negative. This

feature is utilized in the design of VRLA Batteries. In flooded cells, the oxygen gas evolved at the positive plate

bubbles upwards through the electrolyte and is released through the vents. In VRLA batteries the oxygen gas evolved

at the positive instead of bubbling upwards is transported in the gas phase through the separator medium to the

negative plate. The separator is a highly absorbent glass mat type with very high porosity designed to have pore

volume in excess of the electrolyte volume (starved electrolyte design), due to which the oxygen gas finds an

unimpeded path to the negative plate. Reaction with the spongy reduces the oxygen gas Lead at the negative plate

turning a part of it into a partially discharged condition, there by effectively suppressing the hydrogen gas evolution at

the negative plate. This is what is known as the oxygen recombination principle.

The part of negative plate that was partially discharged is then reverted to original spongy lead by subsequent
charging. Thus a negative plate keeps equilibrium between the amount which turns into spongy lead by charging and

the amount of spongy lead which turns into lead sulphate by absorbing the oxygen gas generated at the positive plate.

The oxygen recombination principle can be shown by the following reaction mechanism.

from the above equation it can be seen that the reaction is reversible and based on which the lead acid battery is

classified as secondary battery which can give no. of discharge and charge cycle. During discharge the lead dioxide in

positive plate and spongy lead in negative plate react with sulphuric acid in the electrolyte to from lead sulphate both

in positive and negative plates and water in the electrolyte. The chemical reactions for the same are shown below.

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What is Shelf life of VRLA battery Consequences of prolonged storage of battery with out
freshening charge. Why freshening charge is required for VRLA battery?
A VRLA battery comes in fully charged condition. For any battery Shelf discharge is common observed phenomenon.

During self-discharge the active material on the plates gets a converted into sulphate that is discharge compound. This

is called “sulphation” which means the formation of lead sulphate on the surface and in the pores of the active

material of the plates. The reason for this is as follows.

Lead sulphation is formed as a result of local action or self-discharge of the plates. This happens by the action of the

acid solution on the active material of the plates. Sulphation is a necessary part of the operation of battery and is not

a source of trouble. The rate of sulphation depends on the concentration of the electrolyte and the ambient

temperature.

This sulphation of plates will reduce performance of the battery drastically during service if it is not treated properly.
This can easily be reduced/removed by charging the batteries at a low rate of current (say 2% of Ah capacity) for a

prolonged duration of 60 hrs. If the batteries are stored for more than the specified period, it is strongly recommended

that they should be charged as per the above before putting in to service.

Henceforth it is recommended that once in six months the battery shall be given freshening charge if they are

connected to Load.

For freshening charge details pls. Refer O & I manual.

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External factors effect on Life of V R L A battery

The life of the VRLA batteries like any other battery depends on various parameters like depth of discharge, charging

voltage, ripple content, voltage regulation, operating temperature, nature of application, monitoring procedure

followed etc., The effect of each of the above parameters have been briefly described below.

 
Monitoring: VRLA batteries are no doubt Maintenance Free types. However they do require certain monitoring to be
carried out on the battery set as well as charging equipment apart from periodical boost charging at an interval of
once in six months (once in 3 months is preferred) to derive optimum performance/life. The international standards
  IEEE 1188:1996 (IEEE recommended practice of maintenance, testing and replacement of VRLA batteries for
stationary applications) also recommends certain maintenance/monitoring procedures to optimize the life and
performance of VRLA batteries. For further details pls. Refer O & I manual.
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Conventional Batteries Vs VRLA batteries
Conventional Batteries
VRLA BATTERY

Regular maintenance required involving topping up with No periodic topping since this battery works on the oxygen

distilled water. recombination reaction resulting in no water loss. Hence no

maintenance problems such as breakage or jamming up of floats.

A lot of excess free acid is available leading to acid No stratification of the electrolyte because of the Wicking action of

stratification. This is more pronounced in larger cells. the absorbent separators. The cells are mounted horizontally,

reducing the height of cell, Hence Stratification is therefore

eliminated.

There is a possibility of ground currents due to electrolyte There is no possibility of electrolyte spillage due to the spill proof

spillage. This can result in high rates of self-discharge. and leak proof construction. Hence ground currents are eliminated.

Normal vent plugs. Batteries are fitted with explosion proof safety valves, which can't

be opened without a special tool.

Post corrosion is usually observed due to the acid No post corrosion, since there is no acid spillage/mist.

spillage/mist etc.

Cover sealed to hard rubber container with bitumen Cell covers and jars are hermetically heat-sealed. Since no third

compound. Cracking and de-bonding of this bitumen element is used for sealing operational problems are not

compound is a very common problem. envisaged.

Bulging of hard rubber container due to hydrostatic thrust is Individual plastic cells are housed in MS trays. Hence no

normal. dimensional change is observed in service.

The average discharge voltage is 1.93VPC. VRLA batteries have very good discharge regulation. The average

discharge voltage at C10 rate is 1.95 VPC. Hence greater power is

available from these batteries.

Separate battery room with acid resistant flooring and proper VRLA batteries can be located next to the charger or next to the

exhausts for ventilation is a must. controls. No separate battery room is required. Hence reduction in

copper bus/cables from charger to battery and battery to system.

Self discharge rates of up to 4% of capacity per week. Very low self-discharge of around 1.0% of capacity per week.

Requires good ventilation with exhaust Fans Normal ventilation is sufficient as per uniform building code.

Equalizing charge is required. No equalizing charge is required.

Transit damages are high because of brittle rubber Since VRLA batteries are housed in steel trays the transit damages

containers. are minimal.

Initial charging is done at site. This increases the time and These batteries are factory charged. Hence Commissioning is

space requirements. immediate and no initial charging at site is required. An 80%

saving in installation time is quite common.

Design life expectancy is 10 Years. Design life expectancy is >15 years.

Other intangible benefits include in VRLA batteries:
50% Reduction in floor space requirements.

40% Reduction in volume.

30% Reduction in weight.

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Comparison between SMF- VRLA and SMF-Automotive Batteries
SMF-VRLA batteries  SMF-Automotive batteries
Life -Even in ideal start-light-ignition the primary application SLI batteries are intended for life is less than 36 months.
Works on Oxygen recombination Flooded design with low gassing Characteristics…more electrolyte ^To
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principle………..hence no need for topping up reservoir to address the water loss. Needs topping once in 6 months
Comparison of Ni-Cd Batteries Vs VRLA Batteries
over the lifetime. or year. Reducing the water loss rather than combining oxygen and

Ni-Cd Batteries VRLA BATTERY

hydrogen inside the battery achieves zero-maintenance

1.2 volt / cell system i.e more cells per a Characteristics.

2.0volt/cell system i.e. less cells per a given bank voltage.

given bank voltage

The battery can meet high rate discharge as The battery was designed for vehicle starting (cranking) application.

Very Expensive
well as (3 to
steady load 4 times).
long discharge Verysuperior
Not cost effective.
in terms of long discharge applications/requirements

applications.
Vent pulgs are of conventional float type. (1/2
Vent hr andare
plugs above)
of explosion proof safety valve type.

Normal
Rugged vent plugs. allows no
construction Batterieselectrolyte
Flooded are fitted with explosion
design prone toproof safety
active values,
material which and
shedding can'tshort
be

sedimentation of active material and short- opened without a special tool.

circuits.

circuiting
Very bulkyduring transit and service.
in weight. Weight 30% less

Occupies more space. Occupies

Not 40%
a totally less space.
sealed battery…..venting devise will have access to add
Totally Sealed construction
Requires separate battery room. water orrequire
Doesn't acid. any separate battery room.

Requires
Explosiongood
proofventilation
vent plug with Exhaust
is provided fans.
and Normal
No ventilation
explosion proof is sufficient.
vent plug is provided and it is only an anti splash

hence safer.
Spillage & Leaks are possible. type.
Spill &Installation
Leak Proof.in confined spaces is a safety Hazard as the

accumulation of pent up gases will ignite and explode.

Requires very long Initial charging process at No initial charging required.

the customer's
Perfect sites.
spill & leak proof, hence user Due to the free electrolyte in the battery, chances of spillage, Leaks &

friendly
Needs an and office compatible.
additional wooden rack for fumes
Comesare possible.
in self stackable steel trays.

installation.
Patented alloy positive grid imparts the Generally the automotive battery positive grids made with Lead

Can't be cyclic
superior transported
life andingood
charges condition.
for deep cycling Can be transported
calcium based alloysinwill
charged condition.
have poor cyclic capabilities due to the

applications.
They need to be stacked vertically only. passivation of positive
Can be stacked in any plate during discharge cycle. This will be more
direction.

pronounced in Lead Calcium Systems. Lead Antimony is not MF

Regular Maintenance is required. No regular maintenance.

The float currents

Monitoring will be low
of the system and & It will be
charger is Over a period
Monitoring of time
of the the and
system floatcharger
current is
will increase because of grid
required.

stable throughout out the life of the battery.

required. corrosion, Plate expansion etc.

Self discharge is very Low <1% Self discharge comparatively high. ^To
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Has 1.8-2.5 mm approx. Absorptive Glass The separator is thin usually 1.0 to 1.5 mm thick to facilitate low

Mat AGM separator which will prevent short internal Resistance for high starting currents. UPS has no similar

circuit. application need. The short circuit is a major failure mode.

Heat generation from battery bank during Float & Boost mode -calculation
Generally heat will generate from battery during Float & boost charging mode. The heat calculations during these

modes of charging are as follows. Float mode the heat generation in Watt-Hrs for 2V Cell.

= 0.1 x 2.23 x Ah @C10 x No. of cells in the battery bank

_____________________________________________________

100

Boost mode the heat generation in Watt-Hrs for 2V cell.

= 0.2 x 2.3 x Ah @C10 x No. of cells in the battery bank

_____________________________________________________

100
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Amount of Hydrogen gas that will evolve from the battery during trickle mode.
The H2 gas evolved form a battery bank =

= 0.1 x Ah capacity @ C10 x 9.056 x No. of cells in the battery bank. CC/Hr

_______________________________________________________________________

10
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Battery CYCLE Life Vs LIFE
A battery "cycle" is one complete discharge and recharge cycle. It is usually considered to be discharging from 100%
to 20%, and then back to 100%. However, there are often ratings for other depth of discharge cycles, the most
common ones are 10%, 20%, and 50%.

Battery life is directly related to how deep the battery is cycled each time. If a battery is discharged to 50% every day,
it will last about 1.5 times as long as if it is cycled to 80% DOD. If cycled only 20% DOD, it will last about 2 times as
long as one cycled to 50%. Obviously, there are some practical limitations on this - you don't usually want to have a 5
ton pile of batteries sitting there just to reduce the DOD. The most practical number to use is 50% DOD on a regular
basis. This does NOT mean you cannot go to 80% once in a while. It's just that when designing a system when you
have some idea of the loads, you should figure on an average DOD of around 50% for the best storage vs cost factor.
Also, there is an upper limit - a battery that is continually cycled 5% or less will usually not last as long as one cycled
down 10%. This happens because at very shallow cycles, the Lead Dioxide tends to build up in clumps on the positive
plates rather in an even film.
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AGM batteries have several advantages over both Gelled and Flooded, at about the same cost
as Gelled
Since all the electrolyte (acid) is contained in the glass mats, they cannot spill, even if broken. This also means that
since they are non-hazardous, the shipping costs are lower. In addition, since there is no liquid to freeze and expand,
they are practically immune from freezing damage.

Nearly all AGM batteries are "recombinant" - what that means is that the Oxygen and Hydrogen recombine INSIDE the
battery. These use gas phase transfer of oxygen to the negative plates to recombine them back into water while
charging and prevent the loss of water through electrolysis. The recombining is typically 99+% efficient, so almost no
water is lost.

The charging voltages are the same as for any standard battery - no need for any special adjustments or problems
with incompatible chargers or charge controls. And, since the internal resistance is extremely low, there is almost no
heating of the battery even under heavy charge and discharge currents.
AGM's have a very low self-discharge - from 1% to 3% per month is usual. This means that they can sit in storage for
much longer periods without charging than standard batteries. The Power stack batteries can be almost fully
recharged (95% or better) even after 3 days of being totally discharged.

AGM's do not have any liquid to spill, and even under severe overcharge conditions hydrogen emission is far below the
4% max specified for aircraft and enclosed spaces. The plates in AGM's are tightly packed and rigidly mounted, and
will withstand shock and vibration better than any standard battery.
Even with all the advantages listed above, there is still a place for the standard flooded deep cycle battery. In many
installations, where the batteries are set in an area where you don't have to worry about fumes or leakage, a standard
or industrial deep cycle is a better economic choice. AGM batteries main advantages are no maintenance, completely
sealed against fumes, Hydrogen, or leakage, non-spilling even if they are broken, and can survive most freezes. Not
everyone needs these features.
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Why Aging factor for Battery sizing calculation

The performance of any lead acid battery is relatively stable throughout most of its life, but begins to decline with
increasing rapidity in its latter stages. The decline will be very drastic once the capacity drops to 80% of its rated
capacity and there will be little life to be gained by allowing operation beyond this point.

In order to ensure that the battery meets the given duty cycle even at the end of its life (i.e. at 80% performance
level) it is a prudent practice to consider a factor of 1.25, which is normally referred to as ‘Aging Factor’ or ‘Life Factor’
. But it is not necessary that the battery be replaced only when its capacity reaches 80%, and it can be done even at
higher values of, say 85% or 90%. In such cases the aging factors to be considered will be 1.17 or 1.10 etc.
respectively.

The International standard IEEE Ltd., 450-1995 states that, “The recommended practice is to replace the battery if its
capacity as determined in 6.5 is below 80% of the manufacturer’s rating if the battery was sized using a 1.25 aging
factor. If a lesser aging factor was used, battery replacement will be required before 80% capacity is reached to
ensure that the load can be served (consult the battery manufacturer).”

The timing of the replacement is a function of the design/sizing Criteria utilised and the capacity margin available, as
compared to the load requirements. A capacity of 80 % shows that the battery rate of deterioration is increasing even
if this is ample capacity to meet the load requirements of the DC system.

Ageing factor one should consider while sizing the battery Ah capacity depending upon the end of life capacity
specified by the end user.
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Monitoring chart for VRLA batteries Maintenance recommendations for VRLA battery.
How do I get optimum life of VRLA battery?
What is the maintenance that has to carry on VRLA batteries.

Sl.N
Description Monthly Qtly Hly Yearly
o
Note: Maintain the Battery records with out fail. Follow the O&M manual instructions on further details and

instructions.
Check the float charging voltage and current. As per
1. the O&M Manual √ ^To
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Note down the average ambient Battery room
temperature.
2. ripple
AC (Battery
voltage and will give
current optimum
effects onperformance √
battery performance.
when operated @ 270C.)
The achievement of optimum life form a VRLA battery system can also be related to the quality of the DC output
3.  Check the charger ripple and the regulation. (Ripple:
√
voltage of the charger. The output should be as pure DC as is practical for the DC output voltage of the charger. If the
<2% rms. Value, Regulation: _ 1%.)
output contains a significant AC component can cause additional heating of the battery. If the AC component is

4. 
sufficiently large, during a portion of the waveform the charging voltage could actually dip below the battery OCV and
Check the over voltage cut off and under voltage trip.
√
slightly discharge the battery thus affecting the battery active materials. An excessive AC ripple effect would be, while
Pl refer the O&M Manual
the DC helps the battery plates for conversion of the active materials through the main reaction, the AC component
Boost charge the batteries for 24 Hrs. Pl refer the O&M
5. Manual √
(i.e. the ripple content) leads to side reactions. One of the major side reaction is hydrolysis of water thereby liberating
Note down individual cell / Module voltage readings
hydrogenafter
and discharging
oxygen gases theinbattery
addition to the
bank for hydrogen andthe
15 min with oxygen gases liberated from the main reaction. The gases
6.
available load Current of 10% to 20% of the rated √
thus liberated from
capacity to the mainweak
identify reaction
cellsrecombine
if any. to form back as water in a VRLA battery due to the oxygen

recombination principle. The gases liberated from the side reactions increase the cell internal pressure increases

7.
beyond Inspect for
allowable any Physical
pressure value damages,
the `safetyCracks
valve`onopens
coverand
& releases these excess gases into the atmosphere. Thus

container.(1st
the batteries timeto
are subjected before installation
loss of &quarterly
water, eventually results in premature capacity loss.
√
afterwards)

8. Checking the terminal Bolts tightness √

Further, due to the availability of abundant quantities of nascent oxygen gas near the grid structure, the rate of

corrosion of the grid increases drastically, thereby resulting in reduction of the service life of the batteries.

For best results, the AC ripple voltage on the charger output should be less than 2% p-p (peak to peak) of the battery

DC charging voltage to ensure that the battery will not be “cycled”.

The AC ripple voltage will induce an AC ripple current and the value of this current will be related to the value of the

voltage and the relatively low impedance of the battery (I=E/R). This AC ripple current will cause additional heating of

the battery, which could affect the battery life, if significant. The AC ripple current should be limited to 0.05C for best

results. For example, a 100 ampere-hour capacity © battery should experience less than 5 AC amperes ripple current

for best results.

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C10 Capacity Test Procedure

10 hr capacity discharge testing method:

The procedure has been prepared by considering with power stack modules, the same can be used for Amaron

QuantaTM batteries.

The following tools are required to test the batteries.

Digital voltmeter (3½ digit) - Calibrated.

DC Clamp meter - Calibrated.

Spanners set with insulated.

Rubber gloves.

Load bank.

Safety goggles.

Testing procedure:

Ensure that all Modules terminals tightness with torque 11Nm’s.

Ensure that no damage battery modules in the string and all terminals cleanliness.

Ensure that the battery is in fully charge condition (i.e. the battery charging current droops and stabilizes at trickle

value).

Measure & Record the on charge voltages of all the modules in the circuit.

Isolate the battery bank from system. Care should be taken to avoid short circuits.

Necessary arrangements to be taken to avoid system interruption during the absence of battery bank while testing.

Connect the external load to battery thru isolation switch. Switch current capacity should be two times more than

the battery 10hr-discharge currents.

Set 10hr currents (C10 currents = Ah capacity of battery/10)

  Ex.: For 100 Ah battery the10hr currents = 100/10 = 10A DC.
 Measure and record the individual module voltage readings as per Annexure – sheet.
Bypass the battery when it reaches to its end cell voltage i.e 10.5 Volts/battery and continue the discharge for other
batteries.

Bypassing procedure:

Disconnect the load.

Remove the failed module interconnections.

By-pass the battery from the circuit.

Tighten the terminal bolts to either side of the module.

Continue the discharge.

Record the down time & extend the discharge test of down time.

After completion of test, connect back the battery set as usual to the charging system.

Results interpretation

Battery to be replaced when ever it fails to deliver less than 80% of the rated capacity.

Annexure
End user Location

Cell Sl.
System On
Mfg. Dt. Inst. Dt.
sl.no
No. charge Discharge readings in hr.
. voltage
System
Room temperature
rating 0 ¼ ½ 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

1                            
Load current Duration

2                            

3                            

4                            

5                            

6                            

7                            

8                            

9                            

10                            

11                            

12                            

13                            

14                            

15                            

16                            

17                            
 18                            

19                            

20                            

21                            

22                            

23                            

24                            

25                            

26                            

27                            

28                            

29                            

30                            
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