Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

A method of and apparatus for centrally monitoring the capacity of batteries in a battery string includes electrical leads connected to each battery terminal of the battery string. A capacity testing system a) switches between the electrical leads for sequentially selecting the leads associated with the terminals of each battery, b) measures the internal resistance of the battery associated with each selected pair of electrical leads, c) compares the internal resistance of each battery cell to an internal resistance threshold, and d) triggers an alarm when the internal resistance of a battery exceeds the internal resistance threshold. A central monitoring station monitors battery capacity data and alarm signals from various battery strings, schedules battery capacity testing, transmits control commands to each capacity testing system for i) scheduling testing, ii) initializing upload of capacity data, and iii) requesting status information, provides battery capacity data analysis, and uploads information to a network management computer. The system is especially suitable for centrally monitoring the capacity of batteries located remote from the central station, preferably in external telecommunications housings and telecommunications power rooms.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim