Battery testing standards enable manufacturers to create batteries that are fit for the purpose by which they are intended for. These standard are penned by organizations that are oftentimes formed by the same group of manufacturers that use them.
The battery testing standards involve more than one test – each one analyzing the different components and various functions of these battery parts. Some of the these test are actually done until the complete destruction of the the battery being tested. This allows manufacturers to create products that provide the best value for the consumer’s money.
For instance, that BCI or Battery Council International Testing Standards require new motive batteries to deliver no less than 90% of the rated ampere-hour capacity during the first three cycles. These cycles include the charging and discharging of the battery. They also require batteries to show 100% of the rated capacity even after the tenth cycle during the Capacity Load Test. According to the standards of the BCI, new batteries have to be subjected to the Capacity Load Test twice – once after the third charging cycle and the second one is after the tenth charging cycle.
If the battery does not pass the test, then the manufacturer cannot release it in the market. It is considered as a failed test or an inefficient battery if it cannot supply 80% or more of the rated six-hour capacity. The battery passing the standards of BCI is expected to deliver at least 80% of the rated ampere-hour capacity at least within the life of the warranty – which is typically 5 years.
All of these battery testing standards keep manufacturers and their respective products in check. The organizations implementing the testing standards monitor these carefully to keep the industry from being tainted by inefficient batteries.
Consumers buying batteries should look into the standards that the product goes through and also the organization overseeing the tests to understand the resilience and efficiency of the battery.
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