Remote data collection of VRLA batteries at BellSouth distributed power sites

• Published in: 24th Annual International Telecommunications Energy Conference pp. 66 - 73
• Main Authors: Maeda, M., Ohara, T., Hurst, K.W., Viator, J.
• Format: Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Piscataway NJ IEEE 2002
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Batteries; Convertors; Data engineering; Direct energy conversion and energy accumulation; Electrical engineering. Electrical power engineering; Electrical machines; Electrical power engineering; Electrochemical conversion: primary and secondary batteries, fuel cells; Exact sciences and technology; Lead; Modems; Power engineering and energy; Telephony; Temperature; Testing; Valves; Voltage; Asia; Japan; Lead acid batteries; Data logger; Rectifier; Worst case method; Telecommunication cable; Transmission channel; Data transmission; Surface temperature; Data processing; Telecommunication; Secondary cell; High temperature; Outside temperature; Field experiment; Cavity; Direct current; Facility
• ISBN: 9780780375123; 0780375122
• DOI: 10.1109/INTLEC.2002.1048636

An extensive battery field test program was initiated between BellSouth Telecommunications Inc. and Japan Storage Battery (JSB) to understand the actual conditions valve regulated lead-acid (VRLA) batteries are exposed to in severe remote terminal (RT) applications. JSB's long-life VRLA battery types, PWL12V28 and PWL12V38, were installed into six remote terminal (RT) sites in Georgia and Florida along with four channel data loggers. These specific sites were selected to demonstrate worst-case conditions in terms of high ambient temperature and high solar loading. Inside and outside cabinet temperature, battery surface temperature, battery string DC current and float charge voltage was recorded every 10 seconds. The data was transmitted, via a modem, through the telephone lines to BellSouth Engineering facility in Atlanta, GA, and JSB Battery Development Center in Kyoto, Japan. Data collection began in June 2001 and continues to date. The data collection process has allowed the team to verify rectifier stability and accuracy, record ambient temperature, and record the frequency and duration of power failures at each site. This study was aimed at nonenvironmentally controlled RT enclosures. The temperature data has shown that the actual battery temperature is less than previously assumed under these conditions. Based on these findings, the team has concluded that there is a high probability that battery replacement interval may be extended from the current 4 to 5 years to more than 6 years in nonenvironmentally controlled enclosures.