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Performance Testing
Battery pack performance testing validates that the battery pack performs basic functionality in the application’s
intended environment. These tests include discharge, recharge, cycling, open circuit, thermal, and environmental
testing. Applications for each battery pack can vary significantly, so the key to success is to frame the test
conditions around the expected application’s conditions.
Table 12 – Performance tests
Name
Description
Constant Power
Discharge
Test Capacity of battery pack using various constant power
loads
Peak Power Discharge
Test Power Capability of battery pack using 2/3 OCV. I.e.
determine at what power levels, the battery voltage falls to
2/3 of the starting OCV.
Application Specific
Cycle Tests
Cycle the battery pack using the application’s expected cycle
profiles. There are two application cycle testing goals.
•
One is to measure short-term battery pack performance
and
•
the other is to measure long-term performance over time.
The latter takes into account the degradation of the battery
over time with respect to the amount of usage the battery
experiences.
Stand Test
Test Self-Discharge of battery pack while off.
Thermal
•
Test temperature rise of cells over ambient temperature
during worse-case application cycle conditions.
•
Test temperature gradient between the coolest and hottest
cell during worse-case application conditions.
Vibration
Apply vibration in three axes to simulate a life-time of physical
movement and test electro-mechanical integrity of the
product throughout.
