ATEX Batteries In Demand

ATEX Batteries and Intrinsically Safe Batteries are in great demand from industries such as nuclear and defence. We have all heard of rechargeable batteries and Lithium-Ion batteries but what precisely are ATEX Batteries?

ATEX Directive 94/9/EC

The ATEX Directive 94/9/EC was created to make sure that individuals who work in flammable and potentially explosive situations require extra safety measures. The battery powered instruments they use in these kinds of environments, for instance lamps, gas detectors, and air-monitoring instruments, need to meet the highest safety requirements. The batteries are generally known as ATEX batteries or intrinsically safe batteries.

The ATEX safety directive identifies electronic components that have built-in safety capabilities designed to shield users who are employed under hazardous conditions and places the onus on appliance makers for designing and testing their devices to make sure that it contains all of the vital safety attributes.

There are numerous different technical design selections on offer to comply with the ATEX directive, for example explosion-proof coverings, specific protection devices and encapsulation. This includes the pre-certification standard of "Intrinsically Safe" (IS) components such as batteries that do not create sparks and shouldn't discharge electrical or thermal energy that could result in any sort of reaction, even when the component is abused (for instance short circuited).

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Intrinsically Safe Batteries

Rechargeable Lithium-Ion, NiCd, and lithium-thionyl chloride (Li-SOCl2) are examples of Intrinsically safe batteries. The design of the ATEX Battery or IS Battery Pack is vital and several points must be regarded in addition to environmental conditions, such as life cycle, performance and weight. For long life, Li-ion ATEX Batteries offer unrivaled nominal capacities, probably the most innovative feature is the ability to be charged and discharged over a wide temperature range, especially at low temperatures. The Li-ion Battery is a low upkeep battery, a benefit that most other technologies are unable to state. There is no memory and no scheduled cycling is needed to extend the battery's life. In addition, the self-discharge is less than 50 percent compared to Nickel cadmium and Nickel metal hydride, making the Li-ion well suited for current fuel gauge applications.

Benefits and Limitations of Li-Ion Batteries.

Benefits

• a. Comparatively low self discharge, self-discharge is less than half that of Ni-Cd and Nickel metal hydride. 
• b. Reduced Upkeep, no periodic discharge is required; no memory. 
• c. High energy density, ability for yet increased capacities. 

• a. Subject to aging, even if not in use, locating the battery in a cool situation and at 40 percent state-of-charge minimises the aging impact. 
• b. Subject to transportation rules, shipment of more substantial amounts of Li-ion batteries may also be subject to regulatory management. This control does not apply to personal carry-on batteries. 
• c. Calls for protection circuit, protection circuit limits voltage and current. Battery is safe if not provoked. 
• d. Not fully developed, adjustments in metal and chemical combinations affect battery assessment outcomes, especially with some rapid assessment procedures. 
• e. Expensive to make, about 40 percent higher in price than Ni-Cd. Improved engineering approaches and substitution of rare metals with reduced cost solutions will doubtless lower the price tag. f. Medium discharge current.

The necessity for Intrinsically safe batteries is clear, and a lot of producers are stepping up their product or service offerings to meet the demands of high-risk applications. Offshore oil rigs, nuclear plants and areas that handle flammable gases all have requirements for intrinsically safe ATEX batteries.

PMBL, a custom battery pack manufacturer, manufacture ATEX battery packs from cells by Varta, GP, Saft, Sanyo and many others. They have years of experience with battery manufacture and can offer expert advice when designing custom Battery Packs to help ensure they fit the end application. ATEX Batteries in Demand.

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Call us on 01460 66366 or email batteries@pmbl.co.uk or Click Below:

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