The objective of the Stationary Battery Seminar is to provide the participants with a basic knowledge of stationary batteries by exposing them to a vast array of battery installations of many types and sizes, in different applications. This includes becoming familiar with the terminology used, as well as, the types of charging used and the design considerations for installation. It also provides the participant with information on how to install, maintain and test a stationary battery. For those participants that are more experienced with stationary batteries, the course provides an opportunity for gaining a greater depth of knowledge of stationary battery installation and maintenance. It also provides the experienced user an opportunity to learn about battery problems that he/she may have never encountered in the field.

After completing the seminar, the participant will be able to recognize the types of stationary batteries available and will be familiar with the reactions that occur when the battery is discharged/charged. The participant will be able to recognize the items that must be considered for proper design installation and have an understanding of how a battery should be receipt inspected and stored. The participant should be able to identify the maintenance inspections required for a battery and their frequency. He/she should be able to identify common battery problems, understand why they occur and describe the actions to be taken once a problem is noted. The participant should be able to identify the types of discharge tests that may be used on a battery and understand the procedures for conducting the tests. He/she should be able to calculate battery capacity from test results, understand the criteria for battery replacement and be able to perform basic calculations associated with battery maintenance.

Maintenance personnel, technicians, electricians and engineers wishing to learn about stationary batteries and their installation, maintenance and testing. The course provides information for both the novice and experience battery person alike.

The seminar has been continually updated to reflect state-of-the-art and the latest industry standards. It has been regularly presented for almost 17 years to thousands of people of all experience levels. More than 600 companies including battery manufacturers, utilities, telecommunications companies, banks, hospitals, securities companies, industrial companies, government agencies, armed forces, instrument companies, national laboratories, UPS manufacturers, battery maintenance companies, etc., have sent personnel to the seminar. The strength of the seminar is in the vast array of photographs that enable the participants to view hundreds of installations in the course of the Seminar. Additionally, the seminar has been recognized as providing Continuing Education which has become important as more states require evidence of such courses before renewal of an individual's electrician, professional engineer or other license or certification is granted. Depending upon the state, participants that successfully complete the Seminar may be able to satisfy all, or a portion, of those requirements.

This module provides the participant with an introduction to the subject of lead-acid batteries and in particular, lead-acid industrial batteries. It identifies the stationary battery as one of the types of industrial batteries. It also discusses the valve regulated lead-acid battery (VRLA), which many battery manufacturers have dubbed the "maintenance-free" battery, although the battery itself does require maintenance. The module then provides an overview of the many applications of stationary batteries. It also presents an overview of installation and maintenance and begins to identify some of the material that will be further developed over the two days of the seminar. The purpose of the module is to provide the participant with an overview of the subject and seminar content, while at the same time stimulating the participant to develop questions or topics he/she would want to have addressed during the seminar.

This module discusses terminology and standard rating structures for lead-acid stationary batteries. It reviews the chemistry of both the lead-acid and nickel-cadmium battery. The chemistry of the valve regulated lead-acid cell is discussed relative to how it differs from the vented lead-acid cell. The module also reviews the different types of positive plates that are available for lead-acid cells and the importance of the positive plate in determining battery performance and life. The different types of valve regulated lead-acid batteries are discussed. The differences between the types of VRLA batteries are reviewed. When appropriate, the term defined or subject under discussion is illustrated with a photograph to aid the participants' understanding. Various methods used to charge batteries, as well as, the various types of charges applied to a battery are discussed. The purpose of the module is to ensure the participants understand "the basics" before proceeding on to the remaining topics.

Installation Design & Installation

The installation module describes considerations for installation design for a stationary battery as related to location and mounting. It discusses the receipt and storage of the battery, as well as, the requirements for charging the battery during storage. The steps necessary to install a battery are presented with accompanying photographs to illustrate the installation. The discussion is based upon guidance provided by battery manufacturers, IEEE Standards 484, 1106 and 1187, and the speaker's experience. A discussion of safety procedures and protective equipment is also included. There is also a discussion of battery disposal/recycling. The entire module is presented with numerous photographs illustrating the procedures described. The purpose of this module is to provide the participants with the knowledge necessary to: prepare a specification for battery installation; prepare procedures for battery installation; identify requirements for battery acceptance testing; and properly install a battery (or to properly change cells on an existing battery, if necessary).

Maintenance Inspections

Along with proper sizing and installation, proper maintenance and testing can optimize the service life of stationary batteries. The maintenance inspection module is based upon guidance provided by battery manufacturers, IEEE Standards 450, 1106 and 1188, and the speaker's experience. Safety procedures and protective equipment are included in the discussion. The module describes the maintenance inspections to be performed along with recommended maintenance intervals. It describes not only what to do, but how to do it. Ample photographs are used to illustrate the required maintenance inspections. The purpose of this module is to provide the participants with the knowledge necessary to: develop a maintenance plan; identify the inspections required for proper maintenance; and conduct the inspections.

The maintenance corrective actions module is based upon guidance provided by battery manufacturers, IEEE Standards 450, 1106 and 1188 and the speaker's experience. The module describes the corrective actions to be taken as a result of the analysis of maintenance inspection data. The urgency of corrective actions are discussed. The purpose of this module is to provide the participants with the knowledge necessary to: understand what corrective actions are and how they should be implemented. It provides the participant with the knowledge of the time frame in which the corrective actions need to be performed and in some instances the requirements for additional monitoring of the battery's condition until the corrective actions are implemented.

The battery problem module is based almost entirely on the speaker's experience and is illustrated by many photographs taken by the course developer, some showing the particular problem on various types of batteries. The discussions center around battery problems that may be encountered by the participants when maintaining stationary batteries. The problems presented are comprehensive and some may never have been seen by the participants during their time maintaining batteries. Basically, the participant learns to identify and correct problems that affect stationary battery cells. Ample photographs are used to illustrate the problems, many of which are of cells that have been dissected to illustrate problems that may not be able to be observed in a cell. This allows the participants to better understand how the problem affects the cells and the overall performance of the battery. The purpose of this module is to provide the participants with the knowledge necessary to: identify and correct problems even if they have not observed them in a battery before.

Along with proper sizing, installation, and maintenance inspections, testing can optimize the service life of stationary batteries. The testing module is based upon guidance provided by battery manufacturers, IEEE Standards 450, 1106 and 1188 and the speaker's experience. The module describes the maintenance tests to be performed along with recommended intervals. It describes not only what to do, but how to do it by providing a test procedure outline for each test. Ample photographs are used to illustrate the required testing and test equipment used. The purpose of this module is to provide the participants with the knowledge necessary to: develop a maintenance test plan and procedure for the tests required for proper maintenance; conduct the tests; evaluate the test results; and determine the need for battery replacement.

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ESA Consulting Engineers, PA
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