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Application Note AN0080 Issue A, July 2006

Ventilation of VRLA Batteries

Last updated Applicable products Audience Related documents 17 July 2006 VRLA batteries installed in association with Eaton DC power systems Eaton DC Product Channel Partners and Integrators EN 50272-2:2001 - Safety requirements for secondary batteries and battery installations - Part 2: Stationary batteries. Eaton Access Power Solutions Installation Guide (SM40 and SM45 versions) Eaton CellSure Installation Guide Eaton Data-Voice-Video Power Solutions Installation Guide For more information Contact CustomerServiceNZ@eaton.com with details of the application.

Overview
Under normal conditions gas release from VRLA batteries is very low and natural ventilation is sufficient for cooling and for inadvertent overcharge. This enables VRLA batteries to be safely used in offices and with telecommunications equipment. However, care must be taken to ensure batteries have adequate ventilation, particularly when housed in cabinets. Batteries must not be placed in air-tight cabinets. All installations of VRLA batteries must comply with applicable local regulations, the battery manufacturers instructions and/or EN 50272-2.

Introduction
During charge, float charge and overcharge, hydrogen and oxygen gases are emitted from secondary batteries into the surrounding atmosphere. An explosive mixture may be created if the hydrogen concentration exceeds 4%vol hydrogen in air. To prevent the risk of explosion, it is essential that rooms and enclosures where batteries are located be provided with adequate ventilation.

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AN0080: Ventilation of VRLA Batteries Issue A, July 2006

Ventilation calculations for VRLA Batteries

According to EN 50272-2 the minimum air flow rate for ventilation of a battery location or compartment with VRLA cells operating up to a maximum ambient of 40C, is calculated as: Q= Where: Q n Igas = ventilation air flow in m3/hour = number of cells = float or boost current (producing gas) in mA per Ah. For VRLA cells values of Igas are: Float charging: 1mA/Ah Boost charging: 8mA/Ah = capacity, C10 for lead acid cells (Ah), Uf = 1.80V/cell at 20C. 0.05 x n x Igas x Crt / 1000m3/hour

Crt

With natural ventilation (air convection) the minimum free area for each of the inlet and outlet is calculated as: A Where: A Q = minimum free area of each air inlet and outlet (cm2) = ventilation flow rate of fresh air (m3/hour) 28 x Q

Note: For the purpose of this calculation the air velocity is assumed to be 0.1m /s.

Installation Requirements
1. Where possible, it is preferable to use natural ventilation. 2. If forced (artificial) ventilation is used, then: the battery charger must be interlocked with the ventilation system, or an alarm shall be actuated to secure the required air flow for the mode of charging selected.

3. The air inlet and outlet should be located on opposite walls, such that the inlet is near the floor, and outlet near the top. If the openings are mounted on the same wall, then a minimum separation distance of 2m is required to prevent exhaust air from being reintroduced. 4. Precautions must be taken to prevent both openings from being inadvertently blocked up on the inside and outside of the room e.g. cages, marked area, warning label. 5. For forced ventilation, the air extracted must be exhausted to the atmosphere outside the building.

Example Calculation
For five 48V strings (5 x 24 = 120 cells) of 100Ah VRLA cells on boost charge: Q = 0.05 x 120 x 8 x 100 / 1000 m3/hr = 4.8 m3/hour A 28 x 4.8 = 134.4cm2 Conclusion: the minimum free area of each air inlet and outlet is 134.4cm2 (with air convection speed 0.1m/s)

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