Portable discharge units for capacity tests of stationary batteries up to 800 V DC
A capacity test of substation stationary batteries to IEEE 450 or IEC 60896 calls for a discharge unit that holds the current or power constant throughout the test, measures voltage and time accurately and lets you watch every cell voltage. The BLU-C series does it with nine portable models, from BLU100C to BLU800C, for strings up to 800 V DC: discharge at constant current, power, resistance or voltage, or with load profiles, up to 300 A and 42.0 kW, with ±(0.5 % of reading + 0.2 A) current accuracy, and built-in cell supervision from the BLU300C upwards.
BLU-C series key data
- Models and range: nine, from BLU100C to BLU800C; operating voltage from 3.0 V (0.0 V with full discharge) to 800 V DC depending on model, up to 300 A DC and up to 42.0 kW.
- Discharge modes: constant current, power, resistance or voltage, plus programmable load profiles that reproduce the bank's real duty cycle; current set with 0.1 A resolution.
- Accuracy: current ±(0.5 % of reading + 0.2 A); voltage ±(0.5 % of reading + 0.1 V); time ±(0.1 % + 1 digit).
- Test standards: IEEE 450, IEEE 1188, IEEE 1106 and IEC 60896-11/21, for lead-acid, Li-ion, Ni-Cd and other chemistries.
- Battery in service: with the external current probe it regulates the total current or power while the battery keeps feeding its load, in battery-current or load-current mode.
- More current: up to ten units of the same model in parallel (from the BLU300C upwards) or external BXL loads controlled by the instrument itself.
- Cell supervision: from the BLU300C upwards, built-in control unit for the CVM and CVM-4 modules, with every cell voltage on the 7-inch colour touch screen.
- In the field: 18.9 to 28.5 kg depending on model; the test resumes by itself after a mains interruption; optional full discharge down to 0 V, with the ZVD module at a constant current of up to 60 or 120 A.
Advantages
Four discharge modes plus profiles
The test can run at constant current, power, resistance or voltage, and the programmable load profiles reproduce the bank's real duty cycles during the test.
Testing without taking the bank out of service
With the external current probe, the instrument regulates the total current or power even while the battery keeps feeding its load, in battery-current or load-current mode.
Full discharge down to 0 V
The complete discharge required before recycling is available as an option, and with the external ZVD module it is done at a constant current of up to 60 or 120 A, removing the rebound voltage afterwards.
Built-in cell supervision
Models from the BLU300C upwards carry the supervision system's control unit: the cell modules plug straight in and every cell voltage is followed on the 7-inch touch screen.
Applications
- Battery capacity measurement in power plants and substations.
- Telecommunication systems and data centres.
- Generator excitation systems.
- Protection and control systems.
- Complete discharge of banks before recycling.
About the product
When the required current exceeds one unit, up to ten devices of the same model work in parallel (except BLU100C and BLU200C) or external BXL loads are added. The current is set with 0.1 A resolution, the test resumes by itself after a mains interruption and the PC software drives the test and builds the reports. Accessories: DC current probe, CVM and CVM-4 cell modules, BVR22 recorder, ZVD module and current and sense cables.
Technical specifications
| Models | 9, from BLU100C to BLU800C |
| Operating voltage | 3.0 (0.0) – 800 V DC depending on model |
| Discharge current | Up to 300 A DC; 0.1 A resolution |
| Discharge power | Up to 42.0 kW |
| Discharge modes | Constant I, P, R and U + load profiles |
| Display | 7-inch colour touch screen |
| Test standards | IEEE 450, IEEE 1188, IEEE 1106, IEC 60896-11/21 |
| Weight | From 18.9 to 28.5 kg depending on model |
| Current accuracy | ±(0.5 % rdg + 0.2 A) |
| Voltage and time accuracy | Voltage ±(0.5 % rdg + 0.1 V); time ±(0.1 % + 1 digit) |
Frequently asked questions
What equipment do I need for a capacity test of substation batteries to IEEE 450 or IEC 60896?
A discharge unit that holds the current or power constant and measures voltage and time accurately. The BLU-C series tests strings up to 800 V DC with up to 300 A and 42.0 kW, at constant current, power, resistance or voltage, with ±(0.5 % of reading + 0.2 A) current accuracy and ±0.1 % time accuracy, and follows IEEE 450, IEEE 1188, IEEE 1106 and IEC 60896-11/21.
How is each cell voltage monitored during the discharge test?
With cell modules connected to the discharge unit. From the BLU300C upwards, the BLU-C series carries the supervision system's control unit: the CVM and CVM-4 modules plug straight in and every cell voltage is followed on the 7-inch touch screen while the unit discharges up to 300 A.
Can it discharge the battery down to 0 V?
Yes, as an optional feature. With the ZVD module the total discharge is also efficient: constant current up to 60 or 120 A and a final short-circuit that removes the remaining energy and the voltage rebound.
Can the battery be tested while in service?
Yes. The current probe measures the total or the load current and the instrument adjusts its own discharge to keep the combined value constant.
What if I need more than 300 A?
Connect up to ten units of the same model in parallel (from the BLU300C upwards) or add external BXL load units controlled by the instrument itself.
How does it differ from the previous generation?
The C series extends the voltage to 800 V and adds the constant-voltage mode, the 7-inch touch screen, test resumption and direct integration of cell supervision.
