July 2004

Ni-Cd block batteryTechnical manual

1. Introduction 3

2. Benefits of the block battery 42.1 Complete reliability 42.2 Long cycle life 42.3 Exceptionally long lifetime 42.4 Low maintenance 42.5 Wide operating temperature range 42.6 Fast recharge 42.7 Resistance to mechanical abuse 42.8 High resistance to electrical abuse 42.9 Simple installation 42.10 Extended storage 42.11 Well-proven pocket plate construction 42.12 Environmentally safe 42.13 Low life-cycle cost 4

3. Electrochemistry of nickel-cadmium batteries 5

4. Construction features of the block battery 64.1 Plate assembly 74.2 Separation 84.3 Electrolyte 84.4 Terminal pillars 84.5 Venting system 94.6 Cell container 9

5. Battery types and applications 105.1 Type L 115.2 Type M 115.3 Type H 115.4 Choice of type 11

6. Operating features 126.1 Capacity 126.2 Cell voltage 126.3 Internal resistance 126.4 Effect of temperature on performance 136.5 Short-circuit values 146.6 Open circuit loss 146.7 Cycling 146.8 Effect of temperature on lifetime 156.9 Water consumption and gas evolution 16

7. Battery sizing principles instationary standby applications 177.1 The voltage window 177.2 Discharge profile 177.3 Temperature 177.4 State of charge or recharge time 177.5 Ageing 177.6 Floating effect 18

8. Battery charging 198.1 Charging generalities 198.2 Constant voltage charging methods 198.3 Charge acceptance 208.4 Charge efficiency 228.5 Temperature effects 228.6 Commissioning 22

9. Special operating factors 239.1 Electrical abuse 239.2 Mechanical abuse 23

10. Installation and operating instructions 2410.1 Receiving the shipment 2410.2 Storage 2410.3 Installation 2410.4 Commissioning 2510.5 Charging in service 2610.6 Periodic maintenance 2610.7 Changing electrolyte 26

11. Maintenance of block batteries in service 2711.1 Cleanliness/mechanical 2711.2 Topping-up 2711.3 Capacity check 2811.4 Recommended maintenance procedure28

12. Disposal and recycling 29

Contents

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1. Introduction

The nickel-cadmium battery isthe most reliable battery systemavailable in the market today. Itsunique features enable it to beused in applications andenvironments untenable forother widely available batterysystems.

It is not surprising, therefore,that the nickel-cadmium batteryhas become an obvious firstchoice for users looking for areliable, long life, lowmaintenance system.

This manual details the designand operating characteristics ofthe Saft pocket plate blockbattery and other ventedpocket plate ranges to enable asuccessful battery system to beachieved. A battery which, whileretaining all the advantagesarising from nearly 100 yearsof development of the pocketplate technology, can be soworry free that its only majormaintenance requirement istopping-up with water.For the valve-regulated andphotovoltaic pocket plateranges, Ultima and Sunica,specific technical manuals areavailable which address theparticular characteristics ofthese ranges.

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2.1 Complete reliabilityThe block battery does not sufferfrom the sudden death failureassociated with the lead acidbattery (see section 4.1 Plateassembly).

2.2 Long cycle lifeThe block battery has a longcycle life even when thecharge/discharge cycle involves100% depth of discharge (seesection 6.7 Cycling).

2.3 Exceptionally long lifetime

A lifetime in excess of twentyyears is achieved by the Saftblock battery in manyapplications, and at elevatedtemperatures it has a lifetimeunthinkable for other widelyavailable battery technologies(see section 6.8 Effect oftemperature on lifetime).

2.4 Low maintenanceWith its generous electrolytereserve, the block batteryreduces the need for topping-upwith water, and can be left inremote sites for long periodswithout any maintenance (seesection 6.9 Water consumptionand gas evolution).

2.5 Wide operating temperature range

The block battery has anelectrolyte which allows it to havea normal operating temperatureof from –20°C to +50°C (–4°F to

+122°F), and accept extremetemperatures, ranging from aslow as –50°C (–58°F) to up to+70°C (+158°F) (see section4.3 Electrolyte).

2.6 Fast rechargeThe block battery can berecharged at currents whichallow very fast recharge times tobe achieved (see 8.3 Chargeacceptance).

2.7 Resistance to mechanical abuse

The block battery is designed tohave the mechanical strengthrequired to withstand all theharsh treatment associated withtransportation over difficultterrain (see section 9.2Mechanical abuse).

2.8 High resistance to electrical abuse

The block battery will surviveabuse which would destroy alead acid battery, for exampleovercharging, deep discharging,and high ripple currents (seesection 9.1 Electrical abuse).

2.9 Simple installationThe block battery can be usedwith a wide range of stationaryand mobile applications as itproduces no corrosive vapors,uses corrosion-free polypropylenecontainers and has a simplebolted connector assembly system(see section 10 Installation andoperating instructions).

2.10 Extended storageWhen stored in the empty anddischarged state under therecommended conditions, theblock battery can be stored formany years (see section 10Installation and operatinginstructions).

2.11 Well-proven pocketplate construction

Saft has nearly 100 years ofmanufacturing and applicationexperience with respect to thenickel-cadmium pocket plateproduct, and this expertise hasbeen built into the twenty-plusyears’ design life of the blockbattery product (see section 4Construction features of theblock battery).

2.12 Environmentally safeMore than 99% of all metalsused can be recycled, and Saftoperates a dedicated recyclingcenter to recover the nickel,cadmium, steel and plastic usedin the battery.

2.13 Low life-cycle costWhen all the factors of lifetime,low maintenance requirements,simple installation and storageand resistance to failure aretaken into account, the Saftblock battery becomes the mostcost effective solution for manyprofessional applications.

2. Benefits of theblock battery

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The nickel-cadmium battery usesnickel hydroxide as the activematerial for the positive plate,and cadmium hydroxide for thenegative plate.

The electrolyte is an aqueoussolution of potassium hydroxidecontaining small quantities oflithium hydroxide to improvecycle life and high temperatureoperation.

The electrolyte is only used forion transfer; it is not chemicallychanged or degraded during thecharge/discharge cycle. In thecase of the lead acid battery, thepositive and negative activematerials chemically react withthe sulphuric acid electrolyteresulting in an ageing process.

The support structure of bothplates is steel. This is unaffectedby the electrochemistry, andretains its characteristicsthroughout the life of the cell. Inthe case of the lead acid battery,the basic structure of bothplates are lead and lead oxidewhich play a part in theelectrochemistry of the processand are naturally corrodedduring the life of the battery.

The charge/discharge reactionis as follows:

During discharge the trivalentnickel hydroxide is reduced todivalent nickel hydroxide, and thecadmium at the negative plateforms cadmium hydroxide.

On charge, the reverse reactiontakes place until the cell potentialrises to a level where hydrogenis evolved at the negative plateand oxygen at the positive platewhich results in water loss.

Unlike the lead acid battery,there is little change in theelectrolyte density during chargeand discharge. This allows largereserves of electrolyte to beused without inconvenience tothe electrochemistry of thecouple.

Thus, through itselectrochemistry, the nickel-cadmium battery has a morestable behavior than the leadacid battery, giving it a longerlife, superior characteristics anda greater resistance againstabusive conditions.

Nickel-cadmium cells have anominal voltage of 1.2 V.

discharge2 NiOOH + 2H2O + Cd 2 Ni(OH)2 + Cd(OH)2

charge

3. Electrochemistry of nickel-cadmium batteries

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Connector coversMaterial: hard PVCplastic.

Flame-arresting ventsMaterial:polypropylene.

Cell containerMaterial: translucentpolypropylene.

Plate tabSpot-welded both tothe plate side-framesand to the upper edgeof the pocket plate.

The cells are weldedtogether to formrugged blocks of 1-3cells depending on thecell size.

Plate group busConnects the plate tabs withthe terminal post. Plate tabsand terminal post areprojection-welded to the plategroup bus.

Separating gridsSeparate the plates andinsulate the plate framesfrom each other. The gridsallow free circulation ofelectrolyte between theplates.

Plate frameSeals the plate pocketsand serves as a currentcollector.

PlateHorizontal pocketsof double-perforatedsteel strips.

Saft cells fulfill allrequirements specified by IEC 60623.

4. Construction featuresof the block battery

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4.1 Plate assemblyThe nickel-cadmium cell consistsof two groups of plates, thepositive containing nickelhydroxide and the negativecontaining cadmium hydroxide.

The active materials of the Saftpocket plate block battery areretained in pockets formed fromsteel strips double-perforated bya patented process.

These pockets are mechanicallylinked together, cut to the sizecorresponding to the plate widthand compressed to the finalplate dimension. This processleads to a component which isnot only mechanically very strongbut also retains its activematerial within a steelcontainment which promotesconductivity and minimizeselectrode swelling. These platesare then welded to a currentcarrying bus bar assembly whichfurther ensures the mechanicaland electrical stability of theproduct.

Nickel-cadmium batteries havean exceptionally good lifetimeand cycle life because theirplates are not graduallyweakened by corrosion, as thestructural component of theplate is steel. The active materialof the plate is not structural,only electrical. The alkalineelectrolyte does not react withsteel, which means that thesupporting structure of the blockbattery stays intact andunchanged for the life of thebattery. There is no corrosionand no risk of “sudden death.”

In contrast, the lead plate of alead acid battery is both thestructure and the active materialand this leads to shedding of thepositive plate material andeventual structural collapse.

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4.2 SeparationSeparation between plates isprovided by injection moldedplastic separator grids,integrating both plate edgeinsulation and plate separation.By providing a large spacingbetween the positive andnegative plates and a generousquantity of electrolyte betweenplates, good electrolytecirculation and gas dissipationare provided, and there is nostratification of the electrolyte asfound with lead acid batteries.

4.3 ElectrolyteThe electrolyte used in the blockbattery, which is a solution ofpotassium hydroxide and lithiumhydroxide, is optimized to givethe best combination ofperformance, life, energyefficiency and a widetemperature range.

The concentration of thestandard electrolyte is such asto allow the cell to be operatedto temperature extremes as lowas –20°C (–4°F) and as high as+50°C (+122°F). This allows thevery high temperature fluctuationfound in certain regions to beaccommodated.

For very low temperatures aspecial high density electrolytecan be used.

The electrode material is lessreactive with the alkalineelectrolyte (nickel-cadmiumsecondary batteries) than withacid electrolytes (lead acidsecondary batteries).Furthermore, during chargingand discharging in alkalinebatteries the electrolyte worksmainly as a carrier of oxygen orhydroxyl ions from one electrodeto the other; hence thecomposition or the concentrationof the electrolyte does notchange noticeably. In thecharge/discharge reaction ofthe nickel-cadmium battery, thepotassium hydroxide is notmentioned in the reactionformula. A small amount ofwater is produced during thecharging procedure (andconsumed during the discharge).The amount is not enough tomake it possible to detect if thebattery is charged or dischargedby measuring the density of theelectrolyte.

Once the battery has been filledwith the correct electrolyte eitherat the battery factory or duringthe battery commissioning thereis no need to check theelectrolyte density periodically.The density of the electrolyte inthe battery either increases ordecreases as the electrolytelevel drops because of waterelectrolysis or evaporation orrises at topping-up.

Interpretation of densitymeasurements is difficult andcould be misleading.

In most applications theelectrolyte will retain itseffectiveness for the life of thebattery and will never needreplacing. However, under certainconditions, such as extended usein high temperature situations,the electrolyte can becomecarbonated. If this occurs thebattery performance can beimproved by replacing theelectrolyte.

The standard electrolyte used forthe first fill in cells is E22 and forreplacement in service is E13.

4.4 Terminal pillarsShort terminal pillars are weldedto the plate bus bars using awell-established and provenmethod. These posts aremanufactured from steel bar,internally threaded for bolting onconnectors and nickel-plated.

The sealing between the coverand the terminal is provided by acompressed visco-elastic sealingsurface held in place bycompression lock washers. Thisassembly is designed to providesatisfactory sealing throughoutthe life of the product.

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Table 1 - Correlation between block dimensionsand plate module number

4.5 Venting systemThe block battery is fitted with aspecial flame-arresting flip-topvent to give an effective and safeventing system.

4.6 Cell containerThe battery is built up using well-proven block batteryconstruction. The toughpolypropylene containers arewelded together by heat sealing.

The block battery uses 4 platesizes or plate modules. Theseare designated module type 1,2, 3 and 4. They can berecognized from the blockdimensions as follows:

Block width (mm) Block height (mm) Plate module

123 194 1

123 264 2

195 349 3

195 405 4

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In order to provide an optimum solution for the wide range of battery applications which exist, the

block battery is constructed in three performance ranges.

Saft Batterytypes SBL SBM SBH

Autonomy mini 3 h 30 min 1 smaxi 100 h 3 h 30 min

Capacity mini 7.5 11 8.3range maxi 1540 1390 920

Power Power Starting,backup backup Power Use of battery

Bulk energy backupstorage

Applications Engine starting - Switchgear - UPS - Process control -Data and information systems - Emergency lighting -Security and fire alarm systems -Switching and transmission systems - Signalling

Railwaysintercity & urban transportStationaryUtilitieselectricity, gas,water production

& distributionOil and gasoffshore & onshore,petrochemical

refineriesIndustrychemical, mining, steel metal worksBuildingspublic, private

Medicalhospitals, X-ray equipmentTelecomradio,satellite, cable, repeater stations,cellular base stationsRailroadsubstations & signallingAirports

Militaryall applications

5. Battery types and applications

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5.1 Type LThe SBL is designed forapplications where the battery isrequired to provide a reliablesource of energy over relativelylong discharge periods. Normally,the current is relatively low incomparison with the total storedenergy, and the discharges aregenerally infrequent. Typical usesare power backup and bulkenergy storage.

5.2 Type MThe SBM is designed forapplications where the batteriesare usually required to sustainelectrical loads for between 30 minutes to 3 hours or for“mixed” loads which involve amixture of high and low dischargerates. The applications can havefrequent or infrequent discharges.The range is typically used inpower backup applications.

5.3 Type HThe SBH is designed forapplications where there is ademand for a relatively highcurrent over short periods,usually less than 30 minutes induration. The applications canhave frequent or infrequentdischarges. The range is typicallyused in starting and powerbackup applications.

5.4 Choice of typeIn performance terms theranges cover the full timespectrum from rapid highcurrent discharges of a secondto very long low currentdischarges of many hours. Table 2 shows in general termsthe split between the ranges forthe different discharge types.The choice is related to thedischarge time and the end ofdischarge voltage. There are, ofcourse, many applicationswhere there are multipledischarges, and so the optimumrange type should be calculated.This is explained in the section“Battery sizing”.

Table 2 - General selection of cell range

10 min 15 min 30 min 60 min 2 h 3 h 5 h 8 h

1.14 V

1.10 V

1.05 V

1.00 V

H

M

L

Final voltage

Discharge time

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6.1 CapacityThe block battery capacity israted in ampere-hours (Ah) andis the quantity of electricity at+20°C (+68°F) which it cansupply for a 5 hour discharge to1.0 V after being fully chargedfor 7.5 hours at 0.2 C5A. Thisfigure conforms to theIEC 60623 standard.

According to the IEC 60623(Edition 4), 0.2 C5A is alsoexpressed as 0.2 I t A. The reference test current (I t ) isexpressed as:

Cn Ah1 h

where:Cn is the rated capacity

declared by the manufacturer in ampere-hours (Ah),and

n is the time base in hours (h) for which the rated capacity is declared.

6.2 Cell voltageThe cell voltage of nickel-cadmium cells results from theelectrochemical potentials of thenickel and the cadmium activematerials in the presence of thepotassium hydroxide electrolyte.The nominal voltage for thiselectrochemical couple is 1.2 V.

6.3 Internal resistanceThe internal resistance of a cellvaries with the temperature andthe state of charge and is,therefore, difficult to define andmeasure accurately.

The most practical value fornormal applications is thedischarge voltage response to achange in discharge current.

The internal resistance of a blockbattery cell depends on theperformance type and at normaltemperature has the values givenin Table 3 in mΩ per 1/C5.

To obtain the internal resistanceof a cell it is necessary to dividethe value from the table by therated capacity.

For example, the internalresistance of a SBH 118(module type 3) is given by:

39= 0.33 mΩ

118The figures of Table 3 are forfully charged cells. For lowerstates of charge the valuesincrease.

For cells 50% discharged theinternal resistance is about 20%higher, and when 90%discharged, it is about 80%higher. The internal resistance ofa fully discharged cell has verylittle meaning.

Reducing the temperature alsoincreases the internalresistance, and at 0°C (+32°F),the internal resistance is about 40% higher.

Table 3 - Internal resistance in mΩ per 1/C5

Cell type Module plate size (see table 1)

1 2 3 4

SBL 84 105 123 142

SBM 55 62 78 86

SBH N/A 30 39 43

6. Operating features

I t A =

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6.4 Effect of temperature on performance

Variations in ambienttemperature affect theperformance of the cell and thisneeds to be taken into accountwhen sizing the battery.

Low temperature operation hasthe effect of reducing theperformance, but the highertemperature characteristics aresimilar to those at normaltemperatures. The effect of lowtemperature is more marked athigher rates of discharge.

The factors which are required insizing a battery to compensatefor temperature variations aregiven in a graphical form inFigure 1(a), H type, Figure 1(b),M type and Figure 1(c), L typefor operating temperatures from–20°C to +50°C (–4°F to +122°F).

Figure 1(a) - Temperature de-rating factors for H type plate

Figure 1(b) - Temperature de-rating factors for M type plate

Figure 1(c) - Temperature de-rating factors for L type plate

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6.5 Short-circuit valuesThe typical short-circuit value inamperes for a block battery cell isapproximately 9 times the ampere-hour capacity for an L type block, 16times the ampere-hour capacity foran M type block and 28 times theampere-hour capacity for anH type block.

The block battery with conventionalbolted assembly connections willwithstand a short-circuit current ofthis magnitude for many minuteswithout damage.

6.6 Open circuit lossThe state of charge of the block cellon open circuit slowly decreases withtime due to self-discharge. Inpractice this decrease is relativelyrapid during the first two weeks, butthen stabilizes to about 2% permonth at +20°C (+68°F).

The self-discharge characteristics of anickel-cadmium cell are affected by thetemperature. At low temperatures, thecharge retention is better than atnormal temperature, and so the opencircuit loss is reduced.

However, the self-discharge issignificantly increased at highertemperatures.

The typical open circuit loss for theblock battery for a range oftemperatures which may beexperienced in a stationary applicationis shown in Figure 2.

6.7 CyclingThe block battery is designed towithstand the wide range of cyclingbehavior encountered in stationaryapplications. This can vary from lowdepth of discharges to discharges ofup to 100% and the number ofcycles that the product will be able toprovide will depend on the depth ofdischarge required.

The less deeply a battery is cycled,the greater the number of cycles it is capable of performing before it is

unable to achieve the minimum design limit. A shallow cycle will givemany thousands of operations,whereas a deep cycle will give onlyhundreds of operations.

Figure 3 gives typical values for theeffect of depth of discharge on theavailable cycle life, and it is clear thatwhen sizing the battery for a cyclingapplication, the number and depth ofcycles have an importantconsequence on the predicted life ofthe system.

Figure 2 - Capacity loss on open circuit stand

Figure 3 - Typical cycle life versus depth of discharge

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6.8 Effect of temperatureon lifetime

The block battery is designed asa twenty year life product, but aswith every battery system,increasing temperature reducesthe expected life. However, thereduction in lifetime withincreasing temperature is verymuch lower for the nickel-cadmium battery than the leadacid battery.

The reduction in lifetime for thenickel-cadmium battery, and forcomparison, a high quality leadacid battery is shown graphicallyin Figure 4. The values for thelead acid battery are as suppliedby the industry and found inEurobat and IEEE documentation.

In general terms, for every 9ºC(16.2ºF) increase in temperatureover the normal operatingtemperature of +25°C (+77°F),the reduction in service life for anickel-cadmium battery will be20%, and for a lead acid batterywill be 50%.

In high temperature situations,therefore, special considerationmust be given to dimensioningthe nickel-cadmium battery.Under the same conditions, thelead acid battery is not apractical proposition, due to itsvery short lifetime. The VRLAbattery, for example, which hasa lifetime of about 7 years undergood conditions, has thisreduced to less than 1 year, ifused at +50°C (+122°F).

Figure 4 - Effect of temperature on lifetime

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6.9 Water consumptionand gas evolution

During charging, more ampere-hours are supplied to the batterythan the capacity available fordischarge. These additionalampere-hours must be providedto return the battery to the fullycharged state and, since theyare not all retained by the celland do not all contribute directlyto the chemical changes to theactive materials in the plates,they must be dissipated in someway. This surplus charge, orovercharge, breaks down thewater content of the electrolyteinto oxygen and hydrogen, andpure distilled water has to beadded to replace this loss.

Water loss is associated with thecurrent used for overcharging.A battery which is constantlycycled, i.e. is charged anddischarged on a regular basis,will consume more water than abattery on standby operation.

In theory, the quantity of waterused can be found by the Faradicequation that each ampere-hourof overcharge breaks down0.366 cm3 of water. However, inpractice, the water usage will beless than this, as the overchargecurrent is also needed tosupport self-discharge of theelectrodes.

The overcharge current is afunction of both voltage andtemperature, so both have aninfluence on the consumption ofwater. Figure 5 gives typicalwater consumption values over arange of voltages for differentcell types.

Example: An SBM 161 is floatingat 1.43 V/cell. The electrolytereserve for this cell is 500 cm3.From Figure 5, an M type cell at1.43 V/cell will use 0.27 cm3 /month for one Ah of capacity.Thus an SBM 161 will use 0.27x 161 = 43.5 cm3 per monthand the electrolyte reserve willbe used in

500 = 11.5 months.

The gas evolution is a function ofthe amount of water electrolyzedinto hydrogen and oxygen andare predominantly given off atthe end of the charging period.The battery gives off no gasduring a normal discharge.

The electrolysis of 1 cm3 ofwater produces 1865 cm3 ofgas mixture and this gas mixtureis in the proportion of 2⁄3hydrogen and 1⁄3 oxygen. Thusthe electrolysis of 1 cm3 of waterproduces 1243 cm3 of hydrogen.

Figure 5 - Water consumption values for different voltages and cell types

43.5

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There are a number of methodswhich are used to size nickel-cadmium batteries for standbyfloating applications. The methodemployed by Saft is theIEEE 1115 recommendationwhich is accepted internationally.This method takes into accountmultiple discharges, temperaturede-rating, performance afterfloating and the voltage windowavailable for the battery.

A significant advantage of thenickel-cadmium batterycompared to a lead acid battery,is that it can be fully dischargedwithout any inconvenience interms of life or recharge. Thus,to obtain the smallest and leastcostly battery, it is an advantageto discharge the battery to thelowest practical value in order toobtain the maximum energy fromthe battery.

The principle sizing parameterswhich are of interest are:

7.1 The voltage windowThis is the maximum voltageand the minimum voltage at thebattery terminals acceptablefor the system. In batteryterms, the maximum voltagegives the voltage which isavailable to charge the battery,and the minimum voltage givesthe lowest voltage acceptableto the system to which thebattery can be discharged. In

discharging the nickel-cadmiumbattery, the cell voltage shouldbe taken as low as possible inorder to find the mosteconomic and efficient battery.

7.2 Discharge profileThis is the electricalperformance required from thebattery for the application. It maybe expressed in terms ofamperes for a certain duration,or it may be expressed in termsof power, in watts or kW, for acertain duration. The requirementmay be simply one discharge ormany discharges of a complexnature.

7.3 TemperatureThe maximum and minimumtemperatures and the normalambient temperature will havean influence on the sizing ofthe battery. The performanceof a battery decreases withdecreasing temperature andsizing at a low temperatureincreases the battery size.Temperature de-rating curvesare produced for all cell typesto allow the performance tobe recalculated.

7.4 State of chargeor recharge time

Some applications may requirethat the battery shall give a fullduty cycle after a certain timeafter the previous discharge. Thefactors used for this will dependon the depth of discharge, therate of discharge, and thecharge voltage and current. Arequirement for a high state ofcharge does not justify a highcharge voltage if the result is ahigh end of discharge voltage.

7.5 AgeingSome customers require a valueto be added to allow for theageing of the battery over itslifetime. This may be a valuerequired by the customer, forexample 10%, or it may be arequirement from the customerthat a value is used which willensure the service of the batteryduring its lifetime. The value tobe used will depend on thedischarge rate of the battery andthe conditions under which thedischarge is carried out.

7. Battery sizing principles instationary standby applications

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7.6 Floating effectWhen a nickel-cadmium cell ismaintained at a fixed floatingvoltage over a period of time,there is a decrease in thevoltage level of the dischargecurve. This effect begins afterone week and reaches itsmaximum in about 3 months. Itcan only be eliminated by a fulldischarge/charge cycle, and itcannot be eliminated by a boost

charge. It is therefore necessaryto take this into account in anycalculations concerning batteriesin float applications.

As the effect of reducing thevoltage level is to reduce theautonomy of the battery, theeffect can be considered asreducing the performance of thebattery and so performancedown-rating factors are used.

The factors which can be usedfor the block battery are given inTable 4. Thus it is possible touse fully charged data andmultiply by a de-rating factor, orto use data which has alreadybeen calculated for off-floatingperformance. It is this lattermethod which is used in thesizing program and the IEEEsizing method.

Table 4(a) - Typical floating de-rating factors from fully charged data for H type cells

Table 4(b) - Typical floating de-rating factors from fully charged data for M type cells

Table 4(c) - Typical floating de-rating factors from fully charged data for L type cells

* End of Discharge

* End of Discharge

* End of Discharge

EOD* Time

Hours Minutes Seconds

V/cell 8 h 5 h 3 h 2 h 1.5 h 1 h 30 min 20 min 15 min 10 min 5 min 1 min 30 s 5 s 1 s

1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 0.97 0.93 0.88 0.84 0.84 0.84 0.84

1.05 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 0.95 0.92 0.88 0.83 0.81 0.81 0.81 0.81

1.10 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 0.99 0.92 0.87 0.85 0.81 0.77 0.76 0.76 0.76 0.76

1.14 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 0.94 0.85 0.81 0.79 0.75 0.72 0.71 0.71 0.71 0.71

EOD* Time

Hours Minutes Seconds

V/cell 8 h 5 h 3 h 2 h 1.5 h 1 h 30 min 20 min 15 min 10 min 5 min 1 min 30 s 5 s 1 s

1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 0.93 0.87 0.82 0.82 0.81 0.80 0.80 0.80 0.80 0.80 0.80

1.05 1.00 1.00 1.00 0.90 0.85 0.82 0.78 0.76 0.76 0.76 0.75 0.75 0.75 0.75 0.75

1.10 1.00 1.00 0.93 0.84 0.80 0.77 0.74 0.73 0.72 0.71 0.71 0.71 0.71 0.71 0.71

1.14 1.00 1.00 0.85 0.77 0.75 0.72 0.69 0.68 0.67 0.67 0.67 0.67 0.67 0.67 0.67

EOD* Time

Hours Minutes Seconds

V/cell 10 h 8 h 5 h 3 h 2 h 1.5 h 1 h 30 min20 min15 min10 min 5 min 1 min 30 s 5 s 1 s

1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 0.95 0.90 0.87 0.83 0.82 0.81 0.80 0.80 0.79 0.79 0.79 0.79

1.05 1.00 1.00 1.00 0.91 0.86 0.84 0.81 0.78 0.77 0.76 0.76 0.75 0.74 0.74 0.74 0.74

1.10 1.00 0.97 0.90 0.83 0.80 0.78 0.76 0.73 0.73 0.72 0.71 0.70 0.70 0.70 0.70 0.70

1.14 1.00 0.95 0.81 0.76 0.74 0.73 0.71 0.68 0.68 0.67 0.66 0.65 0.65 0.65 0.65 0.65

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8.1 Charging generalitiesThe block battery can becharged by all normal methods.Generally, batteries in paralleloperation with charger and loadare charged with constantvoltage. In operations wherethe battery is chargedseparately from the load,charging with constant currentor declining current is possible.High-rate charging orovercharging will not damagethe battery, but excessivecharging will increase waterconsumption to some degree.

8.2 Constant voltage charging methods

Batteries in stationaryapplications are normallycharged by a constant voltagefloat system and this can be oftwo types: the two-rate type,where there is an initial constantvoltage charge followed by alower voltage floating voltage; ora single-rate floating voltage.

The single voltage charger isnecessarily a compromisebetween a voltage high enoughto give an acceptable chargetime and low enough to give alow water usage. However itdoes give a simpler charging

system and accepts asmaller voltage window than thetwo-rate charger.

The two-rate charger has aninitial high voltage stage tocharge the battery followed by alower voltage maintenancecharge. This allows the batteryto be charged quickly, and yet,have a low water consumptiondue to the low voltagemaintenance level.

The values used for the blockbattery ranges for single andtwo-rate charge systems are asshown in Table 5 below.

To minimize the water usage, it isimportant to use a low chargevoltage, and so the minimumvoltage for the single level andthe two level charge voltage isthe normally recommendedvalue. This also helps within avoltage window to obtain thelowest, and most effective, end ofdischarge voltage (see section 7Battery sizing).

The values given as maximumare those which are acceptableto the battery, but would notnormally be used in practice,particularly for the single level,because of high water usage.

8. Battery charging

Single level (V/cell) Two level (V/cell)

min max min max floating

SBH 1.43 1.50 1.45 1.70 1.40 ± 0.01

SBM 1.43 1.50 1.45 1.70 1.40 ± 0.01

SBL 1.43 1.50 1.47 1.70 1.42 ± 0.01

Table 5 - Charge and float voltages for the block battery ranges

Celltype

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8.3 Charge acceptanceA discharged cell will take acertain time to achieve a fullstate of charge. Figures 6(a), (b)and (c) give the capacity availablefor typical charging voltagesrecommended for the blockbattery range during the first 30 hours of charge from a fullydischarged state.

Figure 6(a) - Typical recharge times froma fully discharged state for the H block

Figure 6(b) - Typical recharge times froma fully discharged state for the M block

20

These graphs give the rechargetime for a current limit of 0.2 C5 amperes. Clearly, if alower value for the current isused, e.g. 0.1 C5 amperes,then the battery will take longerto charge. If a higher current isused then it will charge morerapidly. This is not in general apro rata relationship due to thelimited charging voltage.

The charge time for an M typeplate at different charge regimesfor a fixed voltage is given inFigure 6(d).

If the application has a particularrecharge time requirement thenthis must be taken into accountwhen calculating the battery.

Figure 6(c) - Typical recharge times froma fully discharged state for the L block

Figure 6(d) - Typical recharge times fordifferent charge rates for the M block

21

8.4 Charge efficiencyThe charge efficiency of thebattery is dependent on thestate of charge of the batteryand the temperature. For muchof its charge profile, it isrecharged at a high level ofefficiency.

In general, at states of chargeless than 80% the chargeefficiency remains high, but asthe battery approaches a fullycharged condition, the chargingefficiency falls off.

8.5 Temperature effectsAs the temperature increases,the electrochemical behaviorbecomes more active, and so,for the same floating voltage, thecurrent increases. As thetemperature is reduced then thereverse occurs. Increasing thecurrent increases the waterloss, and reducing the currentcreates the risk that the cell willnot be sufficiently charged.

For standby application, it isnormally not required tocompensate the charging voltagewith the temperature. However ifwater consumption is of mainconcern, temperaturecompensation should be used ifthe battery is operating at hightemperature such as +35°C(+95°F). At low temperature(< 0°C/+32°F), there is a risk ofpoor charging and it isrecommended either to adjustthe charging voltage or tocompensate the charging voltagewith the temperature.

Value of the temperaturecompensation: –3 mV/°C(–1.7 mV/°F), starting from anambient temperature of +20°Cto +25°C (+68°F to +77°F).

8.6 Commissioning*It is recommended that a goodfirst charge should be given tothe battery. This is a once onlyoperation, and is essential toprepare the battery for its longservice life. It is also importantfor discharged and empty cellswhich have been filled, as theywill be in a totally dischargedstate.

A constant current first chargeis preferable and this should besuch as to supply 200% of therated capacity of the cell. Thus,a 250 Ah cell will require500 ampere-hours’ input, e.g.50 amperes for 10 hours.

* Please refer to the installationand operating instructions (seesection 10).

22

9.1 Electrical abuseRipple effectsThe nickel-cadmium battery istolerant to high ripple and willaccept ripple currents of up to0.2 C5 A I eff. In fact, the onlyeffect of a high ripple current isthat of increased water usage.Thus, in general, anycommercially available chargeror generator can be used forcommissioning or maintenancecharging of the block battery.This contrasts with the valve-regulated lead acid battery(VRLA) where relatively smallripple currents can causebattery overheating, and willreduce life and performance.

Over-dischargeIf more than the designedcapacity is taken out of a batterythen it becomes deep-dischargedand reversed. This is consideredto be an abuse situation fora battery and should be avoided.

In the case of lead acid batteriesthis will lead to failure of thebattery and is unacceptable.

The block battery will not bedamaged by over-discharge butmust be recharged tocompensate for the over-discharge.

OverchargeIn the case of the block battery,with its generous electrolytereserve, a small degree ofovercharge over a short periodwill not significantly alter themaintenance period. In the caseof excessive overcharge, waterreplenishment is required, butthere will be no significant effecton the life of the battery.

9.2 Mechanical abuseShock loadsThe block battery concept hasbeen tested to IEC 68-2-29(bump tests at 5 g, 10 g and 25 g) and IEC 77 (shock test3 g), where g = acceleration.

Vibration resistanceThe block battery concept has been tested to IEC 77 for 2 hours at 1 g, where g = acceleration.

External corrosionThe block battery ismanufactured in durablepolypropylene. All external metalcomponents are nickel-plated orstainless steel, protected by ananti-corrosion oil, and thenprotected by a rigid plastic cover.

9. Special operating factors

23

Important recommendations Never allow an exposed flame or

spark near the batteriesparticularly while charging.

Never smoke while performing anyoperation on the battery.

For protection, wear rubber gloves,long sleeves, and appropriatesplash goggles or face shield.

The electrolyte is harmful to skinand eyes. In the event of contactwith skin or eyes, washimmediately with plenty of water.If eyes are affected, flush withwater, and obtain immediatemedical attention.

Remove all rings, watches andother items with metal partsbefore working on the battery.

Use insulated tools. Avoid static electricity and take

measures for protection againstelectric shocks.

Discharge any possible staticelectricity from clothing and/ortools by touching an earth-connected part “ground” beforeworking on the battery.

10.1 Receiving the shipment

Unpack the battery immediately uponarrival. Do not overturn the package.Transport seals are located under thecover of the vent plug.

The battery is normally shippeddischarged and empty, do notremove the plastic transport sealsuntil ready to fill the battery.

If the battery is shipped filled andcharged, the battery is ready forinstallation. Remove the plastictransport seals only before use.

The battery must never be chargedwith the transport seals in place asthis can cause permanent damage.

10.2 StorageStore the battery indoors in a dry,clean, cool location (0°C to +30°C/+32°F to +86°F) and well-ventilatedspace on open shelves.

Do not store in direct sunlight orexpose to excessive heat.

a) Cells empty and discharged

• Saft recommends to store cellsempty and discharged. This ensurescompliance with IEC 60623 section4.9 (storage).

• Cells can be stored like this for manyyears.

b) Cells filled and charged

• If cells are stored filled, they must befully charged prior to storage.

• Cells may be stored filled andcharged for a period not exceeding12 months from date of dispatch.

Storage of a filled battery attemperatures above +30°C (+86°F)can result in loss of capacity. This canbe as much as 5% per 10°C (18°F)above +30°C (+86°F) per year.

• When deliveries are made incardboard boxes, store withoutopening the boxes.

• When deliveries are made inplywood boxes, open the boxesbefore the storage. The lid and thepacking material on top of the cellsmust be removed.

10.3 Installation10.3.1 LocationInstall the battery in a dry and cleanroom. Avoid direct sunlight and heat.

The battery will give the bestperformance and maximum service lifewhen the ambient temperature isbetween +10°C to +30°C (+50°F to+86°F).

Block batteries can be fitted on tostands, floor-mounted or fitted intocabinets.

Local standards or codes normallydefine the mounting arrangements ofbatteries, and these must be followed ifapplicable. However, if this is not thecase, the following comments should beused as a guide.

When mounting the battery, it isdesirable to maintain an easy access toall blocks, they should be situated in areadily available position. Distancesbetween stands, and between standsand walls, should be sufficient to givegood access to the battery.

The overall weight of the battery mustbe considered and the load bearing onthe floor taken into account in theselection of the batteryaccommodation.

If the battery is enclosed in a cabinet orother such enclosed space, it isimportant to provide sufficient space todisperse the gases given off duringcharging, and also to minimizecondensation.

It is recommended that at least 200 mm be allowed above cell tops, toensure easy access during inspectionand topping-up, and that enough spaceis allowed between cabinet walls and

10. Installation and operating instructions

24

the battery to avoid any risk of short-circuits. Flip-top vents may be turnedthrough 180° to achieve the mostconvenient position for topping-up.

10.3.2 VentilationSpecial regulations for ventilation maybe valid in your area depending on theapplications.

When the battery is housed in acubicle or enclosed compartment, it isnecessary to provide adequateventilation.

During the last part of high-ratecharging, the battery is emitting gases(oxygen and hydrogen mixture).

If it is required to establish that theventilation of the battery room isadequate, then it is necessary tocalculate the rate of evolution ofhydrogen to ensure that theconcentration of hydrogen gas in theroom is kept within safe limits.

The theoretical limit for hydrogenconcentration is 4%. However, somestandards call for more severe levelsthan this, and levels as low as 1% aresometimes required.

To calculate the ventilationrequirements of a battery room,the following method can be used:

1 Ah of overcharge breaks down0.366 cm3 of water, and 1 cm3 ofwater produces 1.865 liters of gas inthe proportion 2/3 hydrogen and 1/3oxygen. Thus, 1 Ah of overchargeproduces 0.42 liter of hydrogen.

Therefore, the volume of hydrogenevolved from a battery per hour= number of cells x charge current x0.42 literor= number of cells x charge current x0.00042 m3

The volume of hydrogen found by thiscalculation can be expressed as apercentage of the total volume of the

battery room, and from this, thenumber of air changes required tokeep the concentration of hydrogenbelow a certain level can be calculated.

In practice, a typical figure for naturalroom ventilation is about 2.5 airchanges per hour, and so, in this case,it would not be necessary to introduceany forced ventilation.

In a floating situation, the currentflowing is very much lower than whenthe cell is being charged, and the gasevolution is minimal; it may becalculated in the same way usingtypical floating currents.

10.3.3 MountingVerify that cells are correctlyinterconnected with the appropriatepolarity. The battery connection to loadshould be with nickel-plated cable lugs.

Recommended torques for terminalbolts are:• M 6 = 11 ± 1.1 N.m• M 8 = 20 ± 2 N.m• M 10 = 30 ± 3 N.m

The connectors and terminal should becorrosion-protected by coating with a thinlayer of anti-corrosion oil agreed by Saft.

Remove the transport seals andclose the vent plugs.

10.3.4 Electrolyte/cell oila) Cells delivered filled and chargedCheck the level of electrolyte. It shouldnot be more than 20 mm below theupper level mark. If this is not thecase, adjust the level with distilled ordeionized water. Cells delivered filledhave already the cell oil in place.

b) Cells delivered empty anddischarged

If the electrolyte is supplied dry,prepare it according to its separateinstructions sheet. The electrolyte tobe used is E22. Remove the transportseals just before filling.

Fill the cells about 20 mm above thelower level mark with electrolyte.Wait 4 to 24 hours and adjust ifnecessary before commissioning.

It is recommended to add the cell oilafter the commissioning charge, withthe syringe, according to the quantityindicated in the installation andoperating instructions sheet.

10.4. CommissioningVerify that the ventilation is adequateduring this operation.

A good commissioning is important.Charge at constant current ispreferable.

When the charger maximum voltagesetting is too low to supply constantcurrent charging, divide the batteryinto two parts to be charged

Example:

A battery of 98 cells, type SBH 79

on a three step, two tier stand, is

placed in a room of dimensions 2 m

x 2 m x 3 m.

The charging system is capable of

charging at 0.1 C5 and so the

charging current is 7.9 amperes.

The volume of hydrogen evolved per

hour in this, the worst, case is:

98 x 7.9 x 0.00042 m3 = 0.33 m3.

The total volume of the room is

2 x 2 x 3 = 12 m3.

Approximate volume of battery and

stand does not exceed 1 m3, and

so, the volume of free air in the

room is 11 m3.

Therefore, the concentration of

hydrogen gas after charging for 1

hour at full gassing potential at 0.1

C5 will be: 0.33 = 3 %

Thus, to maintain a maximum

concentration of 2% (for example),

the air in the room will need

changing 3/2 = 1.5 times per hour.

11

25

individually. If the current limit is lowerthan indicated in the table of theinstallation and operating instructionssheet, charge proportionally for alonger time.

For cells filled on location or for filledcells which have been stored morethan 6 months:

• charge 10 h at 0.2 C5A (recommended)

• or charge for 30 h at 1.65 V/cell,current limited to 0.2 C5A

• discharge at 0.2 C5A to 1.0 V/cell

• charge according to the section below.

For cells filled and charged by thefactory and stored less than 6months:

• charge 10 h at 0.2 C5A (recommended)

• or charge 24 h at 1.65 V/ cell, current limited to 0.2 C5A

• or charge 48 h at 1.55 V/ cell, current limited to 0.2 C5A.

Cell oil and electrolyte aftercommissioning:Wait for 4 hours aftercommissioning. Cells delivered filledby the factory have already the celloil in place. For cells filled onlocation, add the cell oil with thesyringe.

Check the electrolyte level and adjust itto the upper level mark by adding:

• distilled or deionized water for cells filled by the factory

• electrolyte for cells filled on location.

The battery is ready for service.

10.5. Charging in service Continuous parallel operation, with

occasional battery discharge.

Recommended charging voltage(+20°C to +25°C/+68°F to +77°F): for two level charge:• float level= 1.42 ± 0.01 V/cell for SBL= 1.40 ± 0.01 V/cell for SBM & SBH• high level= 1.47 - 1.70 V/cell for SBL= 1.45 - 1.70 V/cell for SBM & SBH.

A high voltage will increase thespeed and efficiency of the recharging.

for single level charge:1.43 -1.50 V/cell.

Buffer operation, where the loadexceeds the charger rating.Recommended charging voltage(+20°C to +25°C/+68°F to +77°F):1.50 - 1.60 V/cell.

10.6 Periodic maintenance Keep the battery clean using only

water. Do not use a wire brush orsolvents of any kind. Vent plugs canbe rinsed in clean water ifnecessary.

Check the electrolyte level. Never letthe level fall below the lowermark.Use only distilled or deionizedwater to top-up. Experience will tellthe time interval between topping-up.

Note:Once the battery has been filledwith the correct electrolyte atthe battery factory, there is noneed to check the electrolytedensity periodically.Interpretation of densitymeasurements is difficult andcould be misleading. Check every two years that all

connectors are tight. Theconnectors and terminal boltsshould be corrosion-protected bycoating with a thin layer ofanti-corrosion oil.

Check the charging voltage. In paralleloperation, it is of great importancethat the recommended chargingvoltage remains unchanged. Thecharging voltage should be checked atleast once yearly.

High water consumption of thebattery is usually caused byimproper voltage setting of thecharger.

10.7. Changing electrolyteIn most stationary battery applications,the electrolyte will retain itseffectiveness for the life of the battery.However, under special batteryoperating conditions, if the electrolyteis found to be carbonated, the batteryperformance can be restored byreplacing the electrolyte.

The electrolyte type to be used forreplacement in these cells is: E13.

Refer to "Electrolyte Instructions".

26

In a correctly designed standbyapplication, the block batteryrequires the minimum ofattention. However, it is goodpractice with any system to carryout an inspection of the systemat least once per year, or at therecommended topping-up intervalperiod to ensure that thecharger, the battery and theauxiliary electronics are allfunctioning correctly.

When this inspection is carriedout, it is recommended thatcertain procedures should becarried out to ensure that thebattery is maintained in a goodstate.

11.1 Cleanliness/mechanicalCells must be kept clean and dryat all times, as dust and dampcause current leakage. Terminalsand connectors should be keptclean, and any spillage duringmaintenance should be wiped offwith a clean cloth. The battery canbe cleaned, using water. Do notuse a wire brush or a solvent ofany kind. Vent caps can be rinsedin clean water, if necessary.

Check that the flame-arrestingvents are tightly fitted and thatthere are no deposits on thevent cap.

Terminals should be checked fortightness, and the terminals andconnectors should be corrosion-protected by coating with a thinlayer of neutral grease or anti-corrosion oil.

11.2 Topping-upCheck the electrolyte level. Neverlet the level fall below the lowerMIN mark. Use only approveddistilled or deionised water totop-up. Do not overfill the cells.Excessive consumption of waterindicates operation at too high avoltage or too high atemperature. Negligibleconsumption of water, withbatteries on continuous lowcurrent or float charge, couldindicate under-charging.A reasonable consumption ofwater is the best indication thata battery is being operatedunder the correct conditions.Any marked change in the rateof water consumption should beinvestigated immediately.

The topping-up interval can becalculated as described insection 6.9. However, it isrecommended that, initially,electrolyte levels should bemonitored monthly todetermine the frequency oftopping-up required for aparticular installation.

Saft has a full range of topping-up equipment available to aid thisoperation.

11. Maintenance of blockbatteries in service

27

11.3 Capacity checkElectrical battery testing is notpart of normal routinemaintenance, as the battery isrequired to give the back upfunction and cannot be easilytaken out of service.

However, if a capacity test of thebattery is needed, the followingprocedure should be followed:

a) Discharge the battery at therate of 0.1 C5 to 0.2 C5A (10to 20 A for a 100 Ah battery)to a final average voltage of1.0 V/cell (i.e. 92 volts for a92 cell battery)

b) Charge 200% (i.e. 200 Ah fora 100 Ah battery at the samerate used in a)

c) Discharge at the same rateused in a), measuring andrecording current, voltage andtime every hour, and morefrequently towards the end ofthe discharge. This should becontinued until a final averagevoltage of 1.0 V/cell isreached. The overall state ofthe battery can then be seen,and if individual cellmeasurements are taken, thestate of each cell can beobserved.

11.4 Recommendedmaintenance procedureIn order to obtain the best fromyour battery, the followingmaintenance procedure isrecommended.

It is also recommended that amaintenance record be keptwhich should include a record ofthe temperature of the batteryroom.

Yearly

check charge voltage settings

check cell voltages

(30 mV deviation from average

is acceptable)

check float current of the battery

check electrolyte level

high voltage charge if agreed

for application

Every 2 years

clean cell lids and battery area

check torque values, grease

terminals and connectors

Every 5 years or as required

capacity check

As required

top-up with water according to

defined period (depend on float

voltage, cycles and temperature)

28

In a world where autonomoussources of electric power are evermore in demand, Saft batteriesprovide an environmentallyresponsible answer to these needs.Environmental management lies atthe core of Saft’s business and wetake care to control every stage of abattery’s life cycle in terms ofpotential impact. Environmentalprotection is our top priority, fromdesign and production through end-of-life collection, disposal andrecycling, where more than 99% ofbattery metals are recycled.

Our respect for the environment iscomplemented by an equal respectfor our customers. We aim togenerate confidence in our products,not only from a functionalstandpoint, but also in terms of theenvironmental safeguards that arebuilt into their life cycle. The simpleand unique nature of the batterycomponents make them readilyrecyclable and this processsafeguards valuable naturalresources for future generations.In partnership with collectionagencies worldwide, Saft organizesretrieval from pre-collection pointsand the recycling of spent Saftbatteries. Information about Saft’scollection network can be found onour web site :

Ni-Cd batteries must not bediscarded as harmless waste andshould be treated carefully inaccordance with local and nationalregulations. Your Saft representativecan assist with further informationon these regulations and with theoverall recycling procedure.

12. Disposal and recycling

www.saftbatteries.com

NEWBATTERIES

BATTERYUSE

SPENTBATTERIES

CADMIUMPLATES

DISTILLATION

PURECADMIUM

STEELSCRAP

STEELWORKS NICKEL

PLATES

DISMANTLING

29

SaftIndustrial Battery Group12, rue Sadi Carnot93170 Bagnolet – FranceTel: +33 1 49 93 19 18Fax: +33 1 49 93 19 64

www.saftbatteries.com

Doc N˚ 21081-2-0704Edition: July 2004Data in this document is subject to change withoutnotice and becomes contractual only after writtenconfirmation.

Photo credit: Saft, Photodisc, Digitalvision.

Société anonyme au capital de 31 944 000RCS Bobigny B 383 703 873

Prepared by Arthur Associates Limited.

AfricaExport sales dpt,FranceTel: +33 1 49 93 19 18Fax: +33 1 49 93 19 56

ArgentinaEnergia Alcalina,Buenos AiresTel: +54 11 4334 9034/35Fax: +54 11 4342 5024

AustraliaSaft Australia Pty Ltd,Seven HillsTel: +61 2 9674 0700Fax: +61 2 9620 9990

AustriaStatron GmbH, WienTel: +43 1 617 40 60Fax: +43 1 617 40 60/40

BelgiumAEG Belgium SA, BrusselsTel: +32 2 529 6543Fax: +32 2 529 6449

BrazilFSE (Fábrica de Sistemas de Energia) Ltda.,Sao PauloTel: +55 11 6100 6304Fax: +55 11 6100 6338

Canada Please contact USA office

ChileTechno Parts Ltda.,SantiagoTel: +56 (2) 249 6060

ChinaSaft TradingTel: +86 21 5866 7935Fax: +86 21 5866 6403

Czech RepublicSaft Ferak a.s.,PragueTel: +420 281 080 120Fax: +420 281 080 119

DenmarkScansupply A/S,BirkeroedTel: +45 45 82 50 90Fax: +45 45 82 54 40

FinlandHansaBattery Oy,EspooTel: +358 9 260 65 292Fax: +358 9 260 65 299

FranceDivision France,BagnoletTel: +33 1 49 93 19 18Fax: +33 1 49 93 19 64

GermanySaft Batterien GmbH,NürnbergTel: +49 911 94 174-0Fax: +49 911 426 144

Hong KongSaft Ltd,KowloonTel: +852 2796 99 32Fax: +852 2798 06 19

India sub continentExport sales dpt,SwedenTel: +46 491 680 00Fax: +46 491 681 80

ItalySaft Batterie Italia S.r.l.,Segrate (Milano)Tel: +39 02 89 28 07 47Fax: +39 02 89 28 07 62

JapanSumitomo Corp.,TokyoTel: +81 3 5144 9082Fax: +81 3 5144 9267

KoreaEnersys Korea Co. Ltd,Kyunggi-DoTel: +82 2501 0033Fax: +82 2501 0034

MexicoTroop y Compania,SA de CV,MexicoTel: +52 55 50 82 10 30Fax: +52 55 50 82 10 39

Middle EastSaft Nife ME Ltd,Limassol, CyprusTel: +357 25 820040Fax: +357 25 748492

NetherlandsSaft Batteries B.V.,HaarlemTel: +31 23 750 5720Fax: +31 23 750 5725

NorwaySaft AS, OsteraasTel: +47 6716 4160Fax: +47 6716 4170

RussiaZAO Alcatel, MoscowTel: +7 095 937 0967Fax: +7 095 937 0906

SingaporeSaft Batteries Pte Ltd,SingaporeTel: +65 6512 1500Fax: +65 6749 7282

SpainSaft Baterias S.L.San Sebastian de los ReyesTel: +34 916 59 34 80Fax: +34 916 59 34 90

SwedenSaft AB,OskarshamnTel: +46 491 680 00Fax: +46 491 681 80

SwitzerlandStatron AG,MägenwilTel: +41 62 887 4 887Fax: +41 62 887 4 888

United KingdomSaft Ltd,HarlowTel: +44 1279 772 550Fax: +44 1279 420 909

USASaft America Inc.,North Haven (CT)Tel: +1 203 239 4718Fax: +1 203 234 7598

Telecom applicationsValdosta (GA)Tel: +1 229 245 2854Fax: +1 229 247 8486

VenezuelaCorporación INTELEC C.A.,CaracasTel: +58 212 9631122

Committed to a clean environmentSaft takes seriously its responsibility to safeguard the environment.At several sites worldwide, more than 99% of metals contained in the

battery are recycled. This process safeguards valuable naturalresources and is a service to customers that Saft will continueto offer for future generations.To locate the nearest collection site, visit www.saftbatteries.com