Battery Management Systems (BMS): What You Need to Know
When choosing a battery, most consumers focus on capacity, price, and brand.
But there’s another critical component to consider: the Battery Management System (BMS).
According to Brendon Scott, Managing Director: Africa at Vestwoods South Africa, understanding the BMS is essential for ensuring battery safety, performance, and longevity.
“Think of the BMS as the brain of your battery,” says Scott. “It’s responsible for monitoring, protecting, and managing the battery’s operation, making sure it functions optimally and safely.”
What is a Battery Management System (BMS)?
He explains that to appreciate the role of a BMS, it’s important first to understand how a battery is constructed.
“A typical battery pack comprises multiple lithium-ion cells, each containing an anode, cathode, separator, electrolyte, and current collectors. The anode and cathode store lithium, while the electrolyte facilitates the movement of lithium ions between them during charging and discharging,” says Scott.
The two key concepts associated with these cells are energy density (how much energy the battery can store relative to its mass) and power density (how much power the battery can deliver relative to its mass).
Lithium-ion rechargeable cells, known for their high energy density, are the preferred choice for modern batteries.
How Does a BMS Work?
A BMS oversees the battery’s performance, longevity, and safety by performing several critical tasks, including monitoring, protection, balancing cells, managing operations, and optimising performance.
It continuously tracks key factors like voltage, current, and temperature, ensuring that the battery remains within its safe operating area (SOA).
The battery pack protection management (PM) and capacity management (CM) are the two main functions of the BMS.
Protection management is crucial, as it safeguards the battery against electrical and thermal risks by regulating voltage, current, and temperature.
Meanwhile, capacity management ensures that all cells within the battery pack are balanced, preventing overcharging and overheating.
This balancing is vital, as not all cells perform equally due to natural variations in chemical characteristics, ageing, and temperature effects.
The Need for a BMS
The BMS plays a vital role in preventing thermal runaway, a potentially dangerous situation where a battery could overheat, catch fire, or even explode.
By constantly monitoring the battery’s operating conditions, the BMS can take corrective actions, such as adjusting the charge/discharge rate or cutting off the battery to prevent harm.
“Battery safety is paramount,” Scott notes. “A reliable BMS is essential for ensuring that your battery remains safe, dependable, and efficient over its lifespan.”
In addition to safety, the BMS optimises battery life by managing charge cycles, reducing capacity loss, and minimising cell deterioration over time.
It continuously monitors and communicates the state of charge (SOC) and state of health (SOH) of the battery, providing real-time insights that help maintain the battery’s reliability and longevity.
Vestwoods’ Commitment to BMS Excellence
The BMS is an indispensable component of any battery or Battery Energy Storage System (BESS).
The BMS provides essential protection, manages capacity, and ensures the safety and performance of the battery.
When selecting a battery, it’s crucial to give as much consideration to the quality and functionality of the BMS as to the battery itself.
“At Vestwoods, our in-house designed, developed and manufactured BMS is integral to our battery solutions. We offer some of the most advanced BMS technology on the market, designed for superior monitoring and safety, ensuring that our products deliver consistent, long-term value,” Scott concludes.
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