Batteries – Lead systems | Industrial batteries—Stationary and traction

Abstract

Lead-acid batteries (LABs) for industrial use serve two principal applications: stationary or traction. Stationary or standby LABs are used to provide back-up power when the public electricity supply fails. They are designed to provide a long life on a constant voltage floating charge. There are two basic types of stationary LAB: flooded and valve-regulated. Flooded batteries may have pasted plates, tubular plates, Planté plates, or may use a special type of round cell. Valve-regulated lead–acid (VRLA) batteries may use gelled electrolyte or absorptive glass mat (AGM) separators. Gelled electrolyte cells may have pasted or tubular plates. Cells with AGM separators use flat pasted plates, either cast in lead-tin-calcium alloys or punched from pure lead or pure lead-tin strip. Traction batteries are used to provide motive power for various types of electric vehicle and applications requiring regular deep cycling. As for stationary batteries, LABs for traction service may be flooded or valve-regulated and may also have pasted or tubular plates. Similarly, VRLA batteries may use gelled electrolyte or AGM separators. Cells with gelled electrolyte may also have pasted or tubular plates and those with AGM separators use pasted plates. The features of each type of cell and how they are adapted to particular applications are described.