Capacity Testing

United Power Corps can perform Capacity Testing of your battery system in accordance with the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE)

The best proven method for determining whether a battery will perform is to test it under load conditions. Proper load testing is the only way to determine where the battery resides on its expected life curve.

IEEE 500-1984 states that 98% of battery failures are degradation type failures. These types of failures can be detected through a comprehensive testing program. By incorporating a battery testing program, battery failure rates decrease by a factor of 267% as reported by IEEE 500.

"When should you test?"

An Acceptance test should be performed upon initial installation.

Performance tests are conducted two years after installation and at 3-5 year intervals thereafter.

When the battery has reached 85% of its service life, it should be tested annually.

When a battery's capacity decreases more than 10% from the previous test or it's capacity is less then 90%, the system should be tested annually.

IEEE P1184 specifies annual tests for the UPS battery systems.

Valve regulated batteries should be tested every 12-18 months in accordance with the IEEE-1188. This is due primarily because of the lack of other means in determining the battery's "condition" and VRLA batteries are often more prone to "unexpected" failure.

Capacity Testing is addressed in the following IEEE standards:

1. Flooded Cells- IEEE-450

2. NiCad Cells- IEEE-1106

3. VRLA Cells-IEEE-1188

Our choice of test equipment is the AlberCorp BCT-2000.

The BCT-2000 performs a capacity test, using a programmed constant current or constant power load. This test projects reliability and remaining battery life before replacement is necessary.

Upon test completion you are provided a comprehensive report detailing:

1. Test Methodology.

2. Test Equipment used and Calibration dates.

3. Capacity Rating of the tested cells.

4. Complete data logs of the test.

5. Discharge Graphs (current, voltage and time).

6. Problems discovered and recommended corrective action.

United Power Corps, 1553 Bartlett Road, Memphis, TN 38134. Tel: 901-387-0081; Fax: 901-385-2469.