A battery in a device that stores energy for later use. The word battery is limited to an electrochemical device that converts chemical energy into electricity, by use of a galvanic cell. Batteries consist of one or more galvanic cells. A battery is an electrical storage device. Batteries do not generate electricity, they store it. As chemicals in the battery change (Charge or Discharge) , electrical energy is stored or released. In rechargeable batteries this process can be repeated many times. Batteries are not 100% efficient - some energy is lost as heat and chemical reactions when charging and discharging.

Basically there are two classes of batteries

1. Primary Batteries:
Primary Batteries are those which can be used only once and cannot be recharged for reuse
Eg: Dry cell used for radio and Torch .

2. Secondary Batteries:
Secondary batteries are those which can be recharged to its original condition for a limited number of cycles.
Eg: Lead acid Batteries, VRLA batteries, Nicd etc.

Lead Acid Batery consist of Lead oxide (PbO2) as positive and spongy lead (Pb) as negative with electrolyte Acid (diluted H2SO4) and generates 2.4V per Cell.

The most common battery rating is the AMP-HOUR RATING. This is a unit of measurement for battery capacity, obtained by multiplying a current flow in amperes by the time in hours of discharge. (Example: A battery which delivers 5 amperes for 20 hours delivers 5 amperes times 20 hours, or 100 ampere-hours.) Manufacturers use different discharge periods to yield a different Amp-Hr. Rating for the same capacity batteries, therefore, the Amp-Hr.

It is the units of force or pressure of electric current or unit of measuring electrical pressure, all batteries is rated in volts DC (Direct Current). The voltage of a battery depends on the number of cells connected in series each cell of lead acid battery has 2 volt nominally.

In a lead-acid battery, the electrolyte is sulfuric acid diluted with water. It is a conductor that supplies water and sulfate for the electrochemical reaction:

The weight of the sulfuric acid electrolyte compared to water (Sp Gr of water is 1). The Specific gravity is a measure of state of health of a battery.

1. Absorb relatively small power surges.
2. Smooth out noisy power sources.
3. Continue to provide power to equipment during line sags.
4. Provide power for some time after a blackout has occurred.

In addition, some UPS or Online UPS/software combinations provide the following functions:

1. Automatic shutdown of equipment during long power outages.
2. Monitoring and logging of the status of the power supply.
3. Display the Voltage/Current draw of the equipment.
4. Restart equipment after a long power outage.
5. Display the voltage currently on the line.
6. Provide alarms on certain error conditions.
7. Provide short circuit protection.

Terminal voltage of a battery at which discharge should be finished or stopped. Generally 10.5 volt is considered as safe end voltage for lead acid battery.

A WATT is the unit for measuring electrical power, i.e., the rate of doing work, in moving electrons by, or against, an electrical potential. Formula: Watts = Amperes x Volts.

One cycle of a battery is a discharge from full charge to full discharge and a return to full charge again. The total number of cycles a battery can perform before failure is called its Cycle Life.

All batteries by virtue of nature will have some self-discharge. If the capacity loss due to self-discharge is not compensated for by recharging, the battery capacity may become unrecoverable and battery will not give expected useful life or normal cycle life.

These batteries are designed in such a way that it can support Cranking application. These batteries provide a very high current typically 2 to 3 times its rated capacity for small duration to start an vehicle engine. The purpose of these batteries is to provide high current to start an engine and then vehicle runs with the power generated from the Dynamo / Alternator.

First you need to determine the load of the critical equipment to be protected or appliances which need to be operated in the event of a power failure. To find the rating of equipment or appliance check the plate at the back of the equipment near the mains outlet.

It will usually be give a figure in watts (w) or Amps (A). If in Amps, multiply the line voltage 230 V by the figure given to arrive at a VA (Volt-Amp) rating. In case if the rating is given in watts convert it to VA by multiplying by 0.8. Add all the VA rating of equipment and appliances and add additional 25% for cushion, which is what UPS rating or capacity you would be requiring for your home or office.

SIZE:  What are the dimensions of your original battery or OEM fitment?
POWER:  What is the AH rating, CCA and RC required to power your vehicle?
WARRANTY:  Batteries are backed by a warranty package. Choose what is right for your vehicle's needs.

The reserve capacity of a battery is defined as the number of minutes that it can support a 25 ampere load at 80°F until its terminal voltage drops to 1.75 volts per cell or 10.50 volts for a 12V battery. Thus a 12V battery that has a reserve capacity rating of 100 signifies that it can be discharged at 25 amps for 100 minutes at 80°F before its voltage drops to 10.75 volts.

It is always recommended to keep the distance between cables and inverter / UPS has short as possible. This will help your batteries to perform at optimum level without any losses. The cables that come with the inverter are generally rated or good for up to four feet. If you plan to install you UPS/ inverter above four feet, you must change the lead wire to a larger gauge cable to decrease resistance and losses.

The cold cranking ampere (CCA) rating refers to the number of amperes a battery can support for 30 seconds at a temperature of 0°F until the battery voltage drops to 1.20 volts per cell, or 7.20 volts for a 12V battery. Thus, a 12V battery that carries a rating of 600 CCA tells us that the battery will provide 600 amperes for 30 seconds at 0°F before the voltage falls to 7.20V.

Keeping your battery well maintained is the BEST way to extend the life of your battery. Maintaining the correct electrolyte levels, tightening loose hold-down clamps and terminals, and removing corrosion are normally the ONLY preventative maintenance required for a battery.

A. Using an undersized battery. B. Loss of electrolyte due to heat or overcharging C. Overcharging with voltages greater than 15.1 volts D. Undercharging E. Old age F. Vibration G. Deep discharges (leaving your lights on) H. Using tap water I. Corrosion J. Freezing, and K. Overheating.

Growth of lead sulfate crystals in Lead-Acid batteries which inhibits or resist current flow. Sulfation is caused by storage at low state of charge or when the battery has been left for a considerable time in a discharged condition.

Naturally, batteries of different capacities require different charge rates. Generally, a battery should be charged at a slow charge rate of 1/10 its rated capacity. . For example a 100 amp/hour battery (100 @ 20 hour rate) will require an initial startup rate of 10 amps to be supplied by the selected battery charger or UPS.

The difference between car batteries and deep cycle batteries is the way their lead plates are structured and designed. The plates determine how the battery functions. Deep cycle batteries have thick, solid lead plates meant to handle deep discharge so the battery can provide power for a long time but at low amps. Car batteries have thin plates that provide greater surface area to generate big amps for short periods for cranking application.

Valve Regulated Lead Acid (VRLA) is designed to provide a constant output power to the UPS. These are totally maintenance free and don't have free acid, thus can be used in any position. It is designed using Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) or GEL technology and can sustain deep cycle application. These batteries emit very less gas fumes during usage and hence can be used in living area. These batteries are sensitive for High temperature, High/low charging, hence to be used with precaution and maintain the ambient temperature and charging parameters should be under the specified limits.

These batteries have been constructed to provide longer backup and quick re charging, it contains free acid and needs to be maintained properly. The plates are thicker when compared to automotive batteries and capable of deep cycle application. Application of these batteries is for Inverter/Home UPS.

These batteries are similar to Invert type except to that the Positive plate is in Tube construction. These batteries offer high life when compared to other types of batteries. Application of these batteries depends on its construction and generally used in Inverter and UPS.

is strictly a safety feature in case the rate of hydrogen evolution becomes dangerously high.

Tap water or any other water available in nature cannot be used for topping up of battery. DM water or De-ionized water is the most common or suggested type of water suitable for topping-up. The mineral content in tap water or natural available water may be minimal in some water, but the gassing effects from charging coupled with evaporation, may leave behind mineral contaminates in the electrolyte solution in higher level. As a result, the minerals will have a cumulative effect inside the battery. Depending on the type of impurity, the physical characteristics as well as the performance of the battery may be affected and fail premature.

Under normal operating conditions, you never need to add acid. For a standard auto or inverter or tubular battery, only distilled, deionized water should be added to achieve the recommended levels (Max-Min).

power for running electronic equipment and appliances. It basically inverts the DC power to AC power suitable to power electronic/electrical equipment.

Basic and major difference between Inverter and UPS is Inverter takes long time between changeover from Mains to Battery, typically the changeover time will be up to 500 milliseconds Where as the changeover in UPS will be very fast between 0 to 15 millisecond.

UPS is similar to Inverter except to the fact that the Input voltage is monitored and controlled to some extent (using filter circuit, Voltage regulator) and then fed to the output. The change over time is fast between 0 to 15 milliseconds.

Battery is a perishable product. The lifespan of a battery will vary considerably with how it is used, how it is maintained and charged, temperature, and other factors. That batteries have a finite life is due to occurrence of the unwanted chemical or physical changes to, or the loss of, the active materials of which they are made. Otherwise they would last indefinitely. These changes are usually irreversible and they affect the electrical performance of the cell. Battery life can usually only be extended by preventing or reducing the cause of the unwanted parasitic chemical effects which occur in the cells.