Sensor System monitors standby batteries.
Share:
Press Release Summary:
Designed to measure voltage and impedance per cell as well as internal temperature of individual cells, Sentinel features intelligent SoC device that processes signal and interfaces to digital S-Bus control bus. Monitoring voltage, current, and impedance allows users to predict which cells are likely to fail, and to replace them, while temperature measurements ensure that thermal runaway situations are detected and corrected before they cause catastrophic failures.
Original Press Release:
LEM Announces the Industry's Most Comprehensive Battery Monitoring Sensor
Sentinel monitors individual cells, cuts monitoring costs, and enhances performance
GENEVA, Switzerland and MILWAUKEE, WI (April 20, 2006) - LEM S.A., the world's leading manufacturer of isolated current and voltage measurement components, announces Sentinel, the most comprehensive battery monitoring sensor, designed for monitoring standby batteries. The sensor measures voltage and impedance per cell, and uniquely offers the ability to monitor internal temperature of individual cells. By monitoring standby batteries, the life, performance and reliability of systems providing backup power in applications such as industrial UPSs, telecommunications, safety-critical systems and computing can be dramatically increased. Many of these applications already use LEM current measuring transducers for monitoring standby batteries.
The LEM Sentinel sensors feature a custom intelligent SoC (System on Chip) device that processes the signal and interfaces to the digital S-Bus control bus. In standby applications, the failure of one cell can prevent the operation of an entire chain of batteries, causing large systems to fail to deliver the desired operating time. Monitoring voltage, current and impedance allow users to accurately predict which cells are likely to fail, and to replace them ensuring higher system reliability. Monitoring temperature allows engineers to ensure that the lifetime of the batteries is maximized, and also ensures that thermal runaway situations can be detected and corrected before they cause potentially catastrophic failures.
In addition to the sensor component, LEM will also offer interface module kits, a low-cost stand-alone monitor and an 'instant monitor' PCB that can be integrated into OEM equipment. PC-based software that allows for analysis of readings is available as source code for use in battery monitoring systems.
"Continuous battery monitoring is increasingly recognized for its importance in lowering maintenance costs and helping to prevent catastrophic battery failure," said Nigel Scott, business development manager for LEM. "We aim to offer the most comprehensive battery monitoring system available and to reduce the cost of monitoring, which traditionally has been as much as 50-70% of the cost of the battery, to a level affordable to most battery system users."
About LEM
LEM is a market leader in providing innovative and high quality solutions for measuring electrical parameters. Its core products - current and voltage transducers - are used in a broad range of applications in industrial, traction, energy, automation and automotive markets. LEM's strategy is to exploit the intrinsic strengths of its core business, and develop opportunities in new markets with new applications. LEM is a mid-size, global company with approximately 700 employees worldwide. It has production plants in Geneva (Switzerland), Machida (Japan), Beijing, (China), regional sales offices, and offers a seamless service worldwide. For further information, visit www.lem.com.
