A Fluke Tool for Making Battery Testing Easier
Battery testers are used to determine a battery’s remaining charge capacity. They work by applying a load and monitoring the voltage response of the battery. This enables the tester to determine how much power is still available. A higher temperature indicates that the battery is being charged. The temperature causes the battery tester’s gauge to change color. Charge is a physical property of matter, and current is the rate at which it flows. The current flowing through a battery is what charges it.
The testers, as the name implies, work by measuring the current that flows from a battery. The majority of basic battery testers employ conductive ink that reacts to minute temperature changes. The current is released when contact is made with both the positive and negative contacts on the battery. This conductive medium is used to calculate the battery charge (amperage). Each tester includes a gauge that displays the charge level. However, keep in mind that these testers only measure current. The readings on lithium batteries are notoriously inaccurate. This is due to the fact that the current does not wear down evenly. At certain charge levels, it takes a significant drop.
Fluke BT510 Battery Analyzer
The Fluke BT510 Battery Analyzer is a versatile meter designed for testing and measuring stationary battery systems. This can also measure the battery’s internal resistance and voltage. These measurements can be used to assess the overall health of the system. For battery system maintenance, it can also measure electrical parameters like DC voltage up to 600 V, AC voltage up to 600 V, and ripple voltage.
Key Features
- Key measurements: Internal battery resistance, DC and AC voltage, ripple voltage, and frequency
- Sequence measurement mode: Automatic or manual sequence testing of battery strings with automatic measurement storage including voltage, and resistance, eliminating the need to press a button each time a measurement needs to be saved
- Comprehensive logging: All measured values are automatically captured during testing and can be reviewed on the instrument before downloading for on the-go analysis
- Optimized user interface: Quick, guided setup ensures you’re capturing the right data every time, and the combined visual and audio feedback cues reduce the risk of measurement confusion
- Threshold comparison: Configure multiple reference values and thresholds for resistance and voltage. Comparison result feedback after each measurement via visual and verbal cues
- Ergonomic test leads: Rugged coaxial two pole kelvin test pins with remote SAVE button reduce test time and increase efficiency
- Intercell strap resistance test and data management: Measures the resistance of the intercell connection between batteries in a string
- Test probe extenders: Long reach, straight and angled probes for double stacked cells
- Enhanced data analysis: Quickly compare trends, analyze results and create reports with included battery management software
- Easy reporting: Generate PDF report on the PC software with analysis graphics and data table or quick email format report with csv file on the mobile app
- Battery life: 7.4 V 3000 mAh lithium-ion battery for more than eight hours continuous operation
- Wireless communication: For data download and remote display while measuring. Browse and email measurement data via iOS app
- USB port: For fast data download to supplied data analysis and report management application software
- Highest safety rating in the industry: CAT III 600 V, 1000 V DC maximum rated for safe measurements all around the battery power supply equipment
Battery Management software
The Battery Management Software enables you to import data from the battery analyzer to a PC quickly and easily. The management software stores and archives measurement data and battery profile information, which can be used to compare results, switch between conductance and resistance readings (requires Software Management software version 1.0.69 or later), and perform trend analysis. All measurement data, battery profile information, and analysis information can be used to generate reports quickly and easily.
Voltage and resistance thresholds
Allows you to define upper and lower measurement thresholds or tolerance ranges quickly and easily. Measured values are automatically compared to predefined threshold levels during the testing process, yielding a PASS, FAIL, or WARN indication after each measurement. A maximum of ten threshold sets can be saved.