Test and Measurement
The STS Battery Element Testers provide a unique method for the detection of assembly level insulation defects in lead-acid batteries, including missing and damaged separators.
Detection of such faults prior to filling and charging the battery minimizes costly reclamation. Traditional AC dielectric tests can detect such faults, but may produce damaging heat in moist cell applications. To overcome this limitation, STS has developed testers that employ a high-voltage, short duration pulse to maximize stress to the dielectric material while minimizing average energy. The goal is to provide sufficient stress to cause current flow in the presence of a failure. This technique allows reliable fault detection while eliminating damage due to overheating that may occur with an AC test.
All testers feature an adjustable test voltage with a peak output of 3,000 volts, accommodating a wide range of separator spacing and types. Durable solid state switching of the high voltage assures reliability for high volume applications. Easy-to-read digital displays provide readouts for applied voltage and quality readback. Following a simple setup procedure, operation is go/no-go, and requires no operator interpretation of results. The test voltage is applied using included safety probes. When a failure occurs, the high voltage is shut off and both audible and visual alarms warn the operator of the failure.
