Sager Electronics’ director, supplier marketing and product management, Holly Myers, walks readers through the role of current sensors in battery management systems.
Lithium-ion batteries have revolutionized the energy storage landscape, powering everything from smartphones and laptops to electric vehicles and grid-scale energy storage systems. Due to their high energy density, long cycle life and low self-discharge rates, lithium-ion batteries have gained widespread adoption. As these batteries become increasingly complex and higher in capacity to meet evolving demands in design and advancements in innovation, the need for accurate and reliable current sensing has grown significantly.
Accurate monitoring of this battery technology is essential to ensure optimal performance, safety and longevity. At the heart of efficient battery management lies the battery management system (BMS), where current sensors play a vital role. By measuring electrical current, the BMS estimates the battery’s state of charge (SOC), state of health (SOH) and remaining useful life. These metrics are essential for preventing overcharging or undercharging, both of which can degrade the battery and create safety risks.
Using current sensors to continuously monitor the current flowing through the battery cells, the BMS can detect and prevent various dangerous conditions. Overcharging, for instance, can lead to excessive heat generation, which can cause thermal runaway, a potentially catastrophic event that can result in fire or explosion. Undercharging, on the other hand, can degrade battery performance and reduce its overall lifespan. Current sensors enable the BMS to intervene before these conditions become critical, safeguarding both the battery pack and its surroundings.
Applications using current sensors and lithium-ion batteries span a wide range of industries. In the automotive sector, current sensors are integral to electric vehicles, ensuring the safe and efficient operation of their battery systems. In renewable energy, current sensors help monitor and regulate the output from solar panels and wind turbines, optimizing energy storage and distribution for a more sustainable grid.
As lithium-ion battery technology evolves, the demand for accurate current sensors will continue to grow. Current sensors will play an increasingly critical role in ensuring the safety, efficiency and longevity of energy storage systems. Manufacturers like Honeywell and LEM are investing in research and development to continue to produce more reliable, efficient and cost-effective sensors. Both Honeywell and LEM produce robust, sensors designed to withstand harsh environmental conditions, such as those found in industrial and transportation applications.
This synergy between current sensors and lithium-ion batteries is important in driving safe and sustainable energy solutions forward. It’s important to partner with a full solutions provider, such as Sager Electronics, as a broad portfolio of current sensors and battery products will help ensure seamless integration, thereby optimizing performance and efficiency in applications involving current measurement and lithium-ion battery management.