Ni-Cd block battery

Technical manual

July 2004

Contents
Introduction

2.

Benefits of the block battery

2.1 Complete reliability
2.2 Long cycle life
2.3 Exceptionally long lifetime
2.4 Low maintenance
2.5 Wide operating temperature range
2.6 Fast recharge
2.7 Resistance to mechanical abuse
2.8 High resistance to electrical abuse
2.9 Simple installation
2.10 Extended storage
2.11 Well-proven pocket plate construction
2.12 Environmentally safe
2.13 Low life-cycle cost

4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4

3.

Electrochemistry of nickel-cadmium batteries 5

4.

Construction features of the block battery 6

4.1 Plate assembly
7
4.2 Separation
8
4.3 Electrolyte
8
4.4 Terminal pillars
8
4.5 Venting system
9
4.6 Cell container
9

5.

6.

Battery types and applications

5.1 Type L
5.2 Type M
5.3 Type H
5.4 Choice of type

10
11
11
11
11

Operating features
6.1 Capacity
6.2 Cell voltage
6.3 Internal resistance
6.4 Effect of temperature on performance
6.5 Short-circuit values
6.6 Open circuit loss
6.7 Cycling
6.8 Effect of temperature on lifetime
6.9 Water consumption and gas evolution

12
12
12
12
13
14
14
14
15
16

7.

Battery sizing principles in

stationary standby applications
7.1 The voltage window
7.2 Discharge profile
7.3 Temperature
7.4 State of charge or recharge time
7.5 Ageing
7.6 Floating effect

17
17
17
17
17
17
18

8.

Battery charging
8.1 Charging generalities
8.2 Constant voltage charging methods
8.3 Charge acceptance
8.4 Charge efficiency
8.5 Temperature effects
8.6 Commissioning

19
19
19
20
22
22
22

9.

Special operating factors

9.1 Electrical abuse
9.2 Mechanical abuse

23
23
23

10. Installation and operating instructions

10.1 Receiving the shipment
10.2 Storage
10.3 Installation
10.4 Commissioning
10.5 Charging in service
10.6 Periodic maintenance
10.7 Changing electrolyte

24
24
24
24
25
26
26
26

11. Maintenance of block batteries in service 27

11.1 Cleanliness/mechanical
27
11.2 Topping-up
27
11.3 Capacity check
28
11.4 Recommended maintenance procedure 28
12. Disposal and recycling

29

1.

1. Introduction
The nickel-cadmium battery is
the most reliable battery system
available in the market today. Its
unique features enable it to be
used in applications and
environments untenable for
other widely available battery
systems.

It is not surprising, therefore,

that the nickel-cadmium battery
has become an obvious first
choice for users looking for a
reliable, long life, low
maintenance system.

This manual details the design

and operating characteristics of
the Saft pocket plate block
battery and other vented
pocket plate ranges to enable a
successful battery system to be
achieved. A battery which, while
retaining all the advantages
arising from nearly 100 years
of development of the pocket
plate technology, can be so
worry free that its only major
maintenance requirement is
topping-up with water.
For the valve-regulated and
photovoltaic pocket plate
ranges, Ultima and Sunica,
specific technical manuals are
available which address the
particular characteristics of
these ranges.

2. Benefits of the
block battery
The block battery does not suffer
from the sudden death failure
associated with the lead acid
battery (see section 4.1 Plate
assembly).

+122F), and accept extreme

temperatures, ranging from as
low as 50C (58F) to up to
+70C (+158F) (see section
4.3 Electrolyte).

2.6 Fast recharge

2.2 Long cycle life
The block battery has a long
cycle life even when the
charge/discharge cycle involves
100% depth of discharge (see
section 6.7 Cycling).

2.3 Exceptionally long

lifetime
A lifetime in excess of twenty
years is achieved by the Saft
block battery in many
applications, and at elevated
temperatures it has a lifetime
unthinkable for other widely
available battery technologies
(see section 6.8 Effect of
temperature on lifetime).

2.4 Low maintenance

With its generous electrolyte
reserve, the block battery
reduces the need for topping-up
with water, and can be left in
remote sites for long periods
without any maintenance (see
section 6.9 Water consumption
and gas evolution).

2.5 Wide operating

temperature range
The block battery has an
electrolyte which allows it to have
a normal operating temperature
of from 20C to +50C (4F to

The block battery can be

recharged at currents which
allow very fast recharge times to
be achieved (see 8.3 Charge
acceptance).

2.7 Resistance to
mechanical abuse
The block battery is designed to
have the mechanical strength
required to withstand all the
harsh treatment associated with
transportation over difficult
terrain (see section 9.2
Mechanical abuse).

2.10 Extended storage

When stored in the empty and
discharged state under the
recommended conditions, the
block battery can be stored for
many years (see section 10
Installation and operating
instructions).

2.11 Well-proven pocket

plate construction
Saft has nearly 100 years of
manufacturing and application
experience with respect to the
nickel-cadmium pocket plate
product, and this expertise has
been built into the twenty-plus
years design life of the block
battery product (see section 4
Construction features of the
block battery).

2.12 Environmentally safe

2.8 High resistance to
electrical abuse
The block battery will survive
abuse which would destroy a
lead acid battery, for example
overcharging, deep discharging,
and high ripple currents (see
section 9.1 Electrical abuse).

2.9 Simple installation

The block battery can be used
with a wide range of stationary
and mobile applications as it
produces no corrosive vapors,
uses corrosion-free polypropylene
containers and has a simple
bolted connector assembly system
(see section 10 Installation and
operating instructions).

More than 99% of all metals

used can be recycled, and Saft
operates a dedicated recycling
center to recover the nickel,
cadmium, steel and plastic used
in the battery.

2.13 Low life-cycle cost

When all the factors of lifetime,
low maintenance requirements,
simple installation and storage
and resistance to failure are
taken into account, the Saft
block battery becomes the most
cost effective solution for many
professional applications.

2.1 Complete reliability

3. Electrochemistry of
nickel-cadmium batteries
The nickel-cadmium battery uses
nickel hydroxide as the active
material for the positive plate,
and cadmium hydroxide for the
negative plate.

The charge/discharge reaction

is as follows:
discharge
2 NiOOH + 2H2O + Cd

2 Ni(OH)2 + Cd(OH)2
charge

The electrolyte is an aqueous

solution of potassium hydroxide
containing small quantities of
lithium hydroxide to improve
cycle life and high temperature
operation.
The electrolyte is only used for
ion transfer; it is not chemically
changed or degraded during the
charge/discharge cycle. In the
case of the lead acid battery, the
positive and negative active
materials chemically react with
the sulphuric acid electrolyte
resulting in an ageing process.

The support structure of both

plates is steel. This is unaffected
by the electrochemistry, and
retains its characteristics
throughout the life of the cell. In
the case of the lead acid battery,
the basic structure of both
plates are lead and lead oxide
which play a part in the
electrochemistry of the process
and are naturally corroded
during the life of the battery.

During discharge the trivalent

nickel hydroxide is reduced to
divalent nickel hydroxide, and the
cadmium at the negative plate
forms cadmium hydroxide.
On charge, the reverse reaction
takes place until the cell potential
rises to a level where hydrogen
is evolved at the negative plate
and oxygen at the positive plate
which results in water loss.
Unlike the lead acid battery,
there is little change in the
electrolyte density during charge
and discharge. This allows large
reserves of electrolyte to be
used without inconvenience to
the electrochemistry of the
couple.

Thus, through its

electrochemistry, the nickelcadmium battery has a more
stable behavior than the lead
acid battery, giving it a longer
life, superior characteristics and
a greater resistance against
abusive conditions.
Nickel-cadmium cells have a
nominal voltage of 1.2 V.

4. Construction features
of the block battery
Connector covers
Material: hard PVC
plastic.

Cell container
Material: translucent
polypropylene.

Plate tab
Spot-welded both to
the plate side-frames
and to the upper edge
of the pocket plate.

The cells are welded

together to form
rugged blocks of 1-3
cells depending on the
cell size.

Separating grids
Separate the plates and
insulate the plate frames
from each other. The grids
allow free circulation of
electrolyte between the
plates.

Plate frame
Seals the plate pockets
and serves as a current
collector.

Plate
Horizontal pockets
of double-perforated
steel strips.

Saft cells fulfill all

requirements specified by
IEC 60623.

Flame-arresting vents
Material:
polypropylene.

Plate group bus

Connects the plate tabs with
the terminal post. Plate tabs
and terminal post are
projection-welded to the plate
group bus.

4.1 Plate assembly

The nickel-cadmium cell consists
of two groups of plates, the
positive containing nickel
hydroxide and the negative
containing cadmium hydroxide.
The active materials of the Saft
pocket plate block battery are
retained in pockets formed from
steel strips double-perforated by
a patented process.

These pockets are mechanically

linked together, cut to the size
corresponding to the plate width
and compressed to the final
plate dimension. This process
leads to a component which is
not only mechanically very strong
but also retains its active
material within a steel
containment which promotes
conductivity and minimizes
electrode swelling. These plates
are then welded to a current
carrying bus bar assembly which
further ensures the mechanical
and electrical stability of the
product.

Nickel-cadmium batteries have

an exceptionally good lifetime
and cycle life because their
plates are not gradually
weakened by corrosion, as the
structural component of the
plate is steel. The active material
of the plate is not structural,
only electrical. The alkaline
electrolyte does not react with
steel, which means that the
supporting structure of the block
battery stays intact and
unchanged for the life of the
battery. There is no corrosion
and no risk of sudden death.

In contrast, the lead plate of a

lead acid battery is both the
structure and the active material
and this leads to shedding of the
positive plate material and
eventual structural collapse.

Separation between plates is

provided by injection molded
plastic separator grids,
integrating both plate edge
insulation and plate separation.
By providing a large spacing
between the positive and
negative plates and a generous
quantity of electrolyte between
plates, good electrolyte
circulation and gas dissipation
are provided, and there is no
stratification of the electrolyte as
found with lead acid batteries.

4.3 Electrolyte
The electrolyte used in the block
battery, which is a solution of
potassium hydroxide and lithium
hydroxide, is optimized to give
the best combination of
performance, life, energy
efficiency and a wide
temperature range.
The concentration of the
standard electrolyte is such as
to allow the cell to be operated
to temperature extremes as low
as 20C (4F) and as high as
+50C (+122F). This allows the
very high temperature fluctuation
found in certain regions to be
accommodated.
For very low temperatures a
special high density electrolyte
can be used.

The electrode material is less

reactive with the alkaline
electrolyte (nickel-cadmium
secondary batteries) than with
acid electrolytes (lead acid
secondary batteries).
Furthermore, during charging
and discharging in alkaline
batteries the electrolyte works
mainly as a carrier of oxygen or
hydroxyl ions from one electrode
to the other; hence the
composition or the concentration
of the electrolyte does not
change noticeably. In the
charge/discharge reaction of
the nickel-cadmium battery, the
potassium hydroxide is not
mentioned in the reaction
formula. A small amount of
water is produced during the
charging procedure (and
consumed during the discharge).
The amount is not enough to
make it possible to detect if the
battery is charged or discharged
by measuring the density of the
electrolyte.
Once the battery has been filled
with the correct electrolyte either
at the battery factory or during
the battery commissioning there
is no need to check the
electrolyte density periodically.
The density of the electrolyte in
the battery either increases or
decreases as the electrolyte
level drops because of water
electrolysis or evaporation or
rises at topping-up.

Interpretation of density
measurements is difficult and
could be misleading.
In most applications the
electrolyte will retain its
effectiveness for the life of the
battery and will never need
replacing. However, under certain
conditions, such as extended use
in high temperature situations,
the electrolyte can become
carbonated. If this occurs the
battery performance can be
improved by replacing the
electrolyte.
The standard electrolyte used for
the first fill in cells is E22 and for
replacement in service is E13.

4.4 Terminal pillars

Short terminal pillars are welded
to the plate bus bars using a
well-established and proven
method. These posts are
manufactured from steel bar,
internally threaded for bolting on
connectors and nickel-plated.
The sealing between the cover
and the terminal is provided by a
compressed visco-elastic sealing
surface held in place by
compression lock washers. This
assembly is designed to provide
satisfactory sealing throughout
the life of the product.

4.2 Separation

4.5 Venting system

The block battery is fitted with a
special flame-arresting flip-top
vent to give an effective and safe
venting system.

4.6 Cell container

The battery is built up using wellproven block battery
construction. The tough
polypropylene containers are
welded together by heat sealing.
The block battery uses 4 plate
sizes or plate modules. These
are designated module type 1,
2, 3 and 4. They can be
recognized from the block
dimensions as follows:

Block width (mm)

Block height (mm)

Plate module

123

194

123

264

195

349

195

405

Table 1 - Correlation between block dimensions

and plate module number

5. Battery types and applications

In order to provide an optimum solution for the wide range of battery applications which exist, the
block battery is constructed in three performance ranges.

Use of battery
Applications

Railways
intercity &
urban transport
Stationary
Utilities
electricity, gas,
water production
& distribution
Oil and gas
offshore & onshore,
petrochemical
refineries
Industry
chemical, mining,
steel metal works
Buildings
public, private
Medical
hospitals,
X-ray equipment
Telecom
radio,
satellite, cable,
repeater stations,
cellular base stations
Railroad
substations
& signalling
Airports
Military
all applications

SBL

SBM

SBH

3h
30 min
1s
100 h
3h
30 min
7.5
11
8.3
1540
1390
920
Power
Power
Starting,
backup
backup
Power
Bulk energy
backup
storage
Engine starting - Switchgear - UPS - Process control Data and information systems - Emergency lighting Security and fire alarm systems Switching and transmission systems - Signalling

10

Saft Battery
types
mini
Autonomy
maxi
Capacity mini
range
maxi

5.1 Type L

5.3 Type H

5.4 Choice of type

The SBL is designed for

applications where the battery is
required to provide a reliable
source of energy over relatively
long discharge periods. Normally,
the current is relatively low in
comparison with the total stored
energy, and the discharges are
generally infrequent. Typical uses
are power backup and bulk
energy storage.

The SBH is designed for

applications where there is a
demand for a relatively high
current over short periods,
usually less than 30 minutes in
duration. The applications can
have frequent or infrequent
discharges. The range is typically
used in starting and power
backup applications.

In performance terms the

ranges cover the full time
spectrum from rapid high
current discharges of a second
to very long low current
discharges of many hours.
Table 2 shows in general terms
the split between the ranges for
the different discharge types.
The choice is related to the
discharge time and the end of
discharge voltage. There are, of
course, many applications
where there are multiple
discharges, and so the optimum
range type should be calculated.
This is explained in the section
Battery sizing.

5.2 Type M
The SBM is designed for
applications where the batteries
are usually required to sustain
electrical loads for between
30 minutes to 3 hours or for
mixed loads which involve a
mixture of high and low discharge
rates. The applications can have
frequent or infrequent discharges.
The range is typically used in
power backup applications.

Final voltage

1.14 V

1.10 V

1.05 V

1.00 V
10 min

15 min

30 min

60 min

2h

Discharge time

11

Table 2 - General selection of cell range

3h

5h

8h

6. Operating features
6.1 Capacity

6.2 Cell voltage

The block battery capacity is

rated in ampere-hours (Ah) and
is the quantity of electricity at
+20C (+68F) which it can
supply for a 5 hour discharge to
1.0 V after being fully charged
for 7.5 hours at 0.2 C5A. This
figure conforms to the
IEC 60623 standard.

The cell voltage of nickelcadmium cells results from the

electrochemical potentials of the
nickel and the cadmium active
materials in the presence of the
potassium hydroxide electrolyte.
The nominal voltage for this
electrochemical couple is 1.2 V.

According to the IEC 60623

(Edition 4), 0.2 C5A is also
expressed as 0.2 I t A.
The reference test current (I t ) is
expressed as:
Cn Ah
ItA =
1h
where:
Cn is the rated capacity
declared by the
manufacturer in amperehours (Ah),
and
n
is the time base in hours (h)
for which the rated capacity
is declared.

6.3 Internal resistance

The internal resistance of a cell
varies with the temperature and
the state of charge and is,
therefore, difficult to define and
measure accurately.

To obtain the internal resistance

of a cell it is necessary to divide
the value from the table by the
rated capacity.
For example, the internal
resistance of a SBH 118
(module type 3) is given by:
39
= 0.33 m
118
The figures of Table 3 are for
fully charged cells. For lower
states of charge the values
increase.

The most practical value for

normal applications is the
discharge voltage response to a
change in discharge current.

For cells 50% discharged the

internal resistance is about 20%
higher, and when 90%
discharged, it is about 80%
higher. The internal resistance of
a fully discharged cell has very
little meaning.

The internal resistance of a block

battery cell depends on the
performance type and at normal
temperature has the values given
in Table 3 in m per 1/C5.

Reducing the temperature also

increases the internal
resistance, and at 0C (+32F),
the internal resistance is about
40% higher.

Cell type

Module plate size (see table 1)

1

SBL

84

105

123

142

SBM

55

62

78

86

SBH

N/A

30

39

43

12

Table 3 - Internal resistance in m per 1/C5

6.4 Effect of temperature

on performance
Variations in ambient
temperature affect the
performance of the cell and this
needs to be taken into account
when sizing the battery.
Low temperature operation has
the effect of reducing the
performance, but the higher
temperature characteristics are
similar to those at normal
temperatures. The effect of low
temperature is more marked at
higher rates of discharge.

Figure 1(a) - Temperature de-rating factors for H type plate

The factors which are required in

sizing a battery to compensate
for temperature variations are
given in a graphical form in
Figure 1(a), H type, Figure 1(b),
M type and Figure 1(c), L type
for operating temperatures from
20C to +50C (4F to +122F).

13

Figure 1(b) - Temperature de-rating factors for M type plate

Figure 1(c) - Temperature de-rating factors for L type plate

6.5 Short-circuit values

6.7 Cycling

The typical short-circuit value in

amperes for a block battery cell is
approximately 9 times the amperehour capacity for an L type block, 16
times the ampere-hour capacity for
an M type block and 28 times the
ampere-hour capacity for an
H type block.

The block battery is designed to

withstand the wide range of cycling
behavior encountered in stationary
applications. This can vary from low
depth of discharges to discharges of
up to 100% and the number of
cycles that the product will be able to
provide will depend on the depth of
discharge required.

The block battery with conventional

bolted assembly connections will
withstand a short-circuit current of
this magnitude for many minutes
without damage.

The less deeply a battery is cycled,

the greater the number of cycles it
is capable of performing before it is

unable to achieve the minimum

design limit. A shallow cycle will give
many thousands of operations,
whereas a deep cycle will give only
hundreds of operations.
Figure 3 gives typical values for the
effect of depth of discharge on the
available cycle life, and it is clear that
when sizing the battery for a cycling
application, the number and depth of
cycles have an important
consequence on the predicted life of
the system.

6.6 Open circuit loss

The state of charge of the block cell
on open circuit slowly decreases with
time due to self-discharge. In
practice this decrease is relatively
rapid during the first two weeks, but
then stabilizes to about 2% per
month at +20C (+68F).
The self-discharge characteristics of a
nickel-cadmium cell are affected by the
temperature. At low temperatures, the
charge retention is better than at
normal temperature, and so the open
circuit loss is reduced.

Figure 2 - Capacity loss on open circuit stand

The typical open circuit loss for the

block battery for a range of
temperatures which may be
experienced in a stationary application
is shown in Figure 2.

Figure 3 - Typical cycle life versus depth of discharge

14

However, the self-discharge is

significantly increased at higher
temperatures.

6.8 Effect of temperature

on lifetime
The block battery is designed as
a twenty year life product, but as
with every battery system,
increasing temperature reduces
the expected life. However, the
reduction in lifetime with
increasing temperature is very
much lower for the nickelcadmium battery than the lead
acid battery.
Figure 4 - Effect of temperature on lifetime

The reduction in lifetime for the

nickel-cadmium battery, and for
comparison, a high quality lead
acid battery is shown graphically
in Figure 4. The values for the
lead acid battery are as supplied
by the industry and found in
Eurobat and IEEE documentation.

15

In general terms, for every 9C

(16.2F) increase in temperature
over the normal operating
temperature of +25C (+77F),
the reduction in service life for a
nickel-cadmium battery will be
20%, and for a lead acid battery
will be 50%.

In high temperature situations,

therefore, special consideration
must be given to dimensioning
the nickel-cadmium battery.
Under the same conditions, the
lead acid battery is not a
practical proposition, due to its
very short lifetime. The VRLA
battery, for example, which has
a lifetime of about 7 years under
good conditions, has this
reduced to less than 1 year, if
used at +50C (+122F).

6.9 Water consumption

and gas evolution

Water loss is associated with the

current used for overcharging.
A battery which is constantly
cycled, i.e. is charged and
discharged on a regular basis,
will consume more water than a
battery on standby operation.
In theory, the quantity of water
used can be found by the Faradic
equation that each ampere-hour
of overcharge breaks down
0.366 cm3 of water. However, in
practice, the water usage will be
less than this, as the overcharge
current is also needed to
support self-discharge of the
electrodes.

Figure 5 - Water consumption values for different voltages and cell types

The overcharge current is a

function of both voltage and
temperature, so both have an
influence on the consumption of
water. Figure 5 gives typical
water consumption values over a
range of voltages for different
cell types.
Example: An SBM 161 is floating
at 1.43 V/cell. The electrolyte
reserve for this cell is 500 cm3.
From Figure 5, an M type cell at
1.43 V/cell will use 0.27 cm3 /
month for one Ah of capacity.
Thus an SBM 161 will use 0.27
x 161 = 43.5 cm3 per month
and the electrolyte reserve will
be used in

The gas evolution is a function of

the amount of water electrolyzed
into hydrogen and oxygen and
are predominantly given off at
the end of the charging period.
The battery gives off no gas
during a normal discharge.
The electrolysis of 1 cm3 of
water produces 1865 cm3 of
gas mixture and this gas mixture
is in the proportion of 23
hydrogen and 13 oxygen. Thus
the electrolysis of 1 cm3 of water
produces 1243 cm3 of hydrogen.

500 = 11.5 months.

43.5

16

During charging, more amperehours are supplied to the battery

than the capacity available for
discharge. These additional
ampere-hours must be provided
to return the battery to the fully
charged state and, since they
are not all retained by the cell
and do not all contribute directly
to the chemical changes to the
active materials in the plates,
they must be dissipated in some
way. This surplus charge, or
overcharge, breaks down the
water content of the electrolyte
into oxygen and hydrogen, and
pure distilled water has to be
added to replace this loss.

7. Battery sizing principles in

stationary standby applications
There are a number of methods
which are used to size nickelcadmium batteries for standby
floating applications. The method
employed by Saft is the
IEEE 1115 recommendation
which is accepted internationally.
This method takes into account
multiple discharges, temperature
de-rating, performance after
floating and the voltage window
available for the battery.
A significant advantage of the
nickel-cadmium battery
compared to a lead acid battery,
is that it can be fully discharged
without any inconvenience in
terms of life or recharge. Thus,
to obtain the smallest and least
costly battery, it is an advantage
to discharge the battery to the
lowest practical value in order to
obtain the maximum energy from
the battery.
The principle sizing parameters
which are of interest are:

7.1 The voltage window

17

This is the maximum voltage

and the minimum voltage at the
battery terminals acceptable
for the system. In battery
terms, the maximum voltage
gives the voltage which is
available to charge the battery,
and the minimum voltage gives
the lowest voltage acceptable
to the system to which the
battery can be discharged. In

discharging the nickel-cadmium

battery, the cell voltage should
be taken as low as possible in
order to find the most
economic and efficient battery.

7.2 Discharge profile

This is the electrical
performance required from the
battery for the application. It may
be expressed in terms of
amperes for a certain duration,
or it may be expressed in terms
of power, in watts or kW, for a
certain duration. The requirement
may be simply one discharge or
many discharges of a complex
nature.

7.3 Temperature
The maximum and minimum
temperatures and the normal
ambient temperature will have
an influence on the sizing of
the battery. The performance
of a battery decreases with
decreasing temperature and
sizing at a low temperature
increases the battery size.
Temperature de-rating curves
are produced for all cell types
to allow the performance to
be recalculated.

7.4 State of charge

or recharge time
Some applications may require
that the battery shall give a full
duty cycle after a certain time
after the previous discharge. The
factors used for this will depend
on the depth of discharge, the
rate of discharge, and the
charge voltage and current. A
requirement for a high state of
charge does not justify a high
charge voltage if the result is a
high end of discharge voltage.

7.5 Ageing
Some customers require a value
to be added to allow for the
ageing of the battery over its
lifetime. This may be a value
required by the customer, for
example 10%, or it may be a
requirement from the customer
that a value is used which will
ensure the service of the battery
during its lifetime. The value to
be used will depend on the
discharge rate of the battery and
the conditions under which the
discharge is carried out.

7.6 Floating effect

charge. It is therefore necessary

to take this into account in any
calculations concerning batteries
in float applications.

When a nickel-cadmium cell is

maintained at a fixed floating
voltage over a period of time,
there is a decrease in the
voltage level of the discharge
curve. This effect begins after
one week and reaches its
maximum in about 3 months. It
can only be eliminated by a full
discharge/charge cycle, and it
cannot be eliminated by a boost

The factors which can be used

for the block battery are given in
Table 4. Thus it is possible to
use fully charged data and
multiply by a de-rating factor, or
to use data which has already
been calculated for off-floating
performance. It is this latter
method which is used in the
sizing program and the IEEE
sizing method.

As the effect of reducing the

voltage level is to reduce the
autonomy of the battery, the
effect can be considered as
reducing the performance of the
battery and so performance
down-rating factors are used.

Table 4(a) - Typical floating de-rating factors from fully charged data for H type cells
EOD*

Time
Hours

Minutes

Seconds

V/cell

8h

5h

3h

2h

1.5 h

1h

30 min 20 min 15 min 10 min 5 min 1 min

30 s

5s

1s

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

0.97

0.93

0.88

1.05

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

0.95

0.92

0.88

0.83

0.84

0.84

0.84

0.84

0.81

0.81

0.81

1.10

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

0.99

0.92

0.87

0.85

0.81

0.81

0.77

0.76

0.76

0.76

0.76

1.14

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

0.94

0.85

0.81

0.79

0.75

0.72

0.71

0.71

0.71

0.71

* End of Discharge

Table 4(b) - Typical floating de-rating factors from fully charged data for M type cells
EOD*

Time
Hours

Minutes

Seconds

V/cell

8h

5h

3h

2h

1.5 h

1h

30 s

5s

1s

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

0.93

0.87

30 min 20 min 15 min 10 min 5 min 1 min

0.82

0.82

0.81

0.80

0.80

0.80

0.80

0.80

0.80

1.05

1.00

1.00

1.00

0.90

0.85

0.82

0.78

0.76

0.76

0.76

0.75

0.75

0.75

0.75

0.75

1.10

1.00

1.00

0.93

0.84

0.80

0.77

0.74

0.73

0.72

0.71

0.71

0.71

0.71

0.71

0.71

1.14

1.00

1.00

0.85

0.77

0.75

0.72

0.69

0.68

0.67

0.67

0.67

0.67

0.67

0.67

0.67

* End of Discharge

Table 4(c) - Typical floating de-rating factors from fully charged data for L type cells
Time
Hours

Minutes

Seconds

V/cell

10 h

8h

5h

3h

2h

1.5 h

1h

5s

1s

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

0.95

0.90

0.87

0.83

0.82

0.81

0.80

0.80

0.79

0.79

0.79

0.79

1.05

1.00

1.00

1.00

0.91

0.86

0.84

0.81

0.78

0.77

0.76

0.76

0.75

0.74

0.74

0.74

0.74

1.10

1.00

0.97

0.90

0.83

0.80

0.78

0.76

0.73

0.73

0.72

0.71

0.70

0.70

0.70

0.70

0.70

1.14

1.00

0.95

0.81

0.76

0.74

0.73

0.71

0.68

0.68

0.67

0.66

0.65

0.65

0.65

0.65

0.65

* End of Discharge

30 min20 min15 min10 min 5 min 1 min 30 s

18

EOD*

8. Battery charging
8.1 Charging generalities
The block battery can be
charged by all normal methods.
Generally, batteries in parallel
operation with charger and load
are charged with constant
voltage. In operations where
the battery is charged
separately from the load,
charging with constant current
or declining current is possible.
High-rate charging or
overcharging will not damage
the battery, but excessive
charging will increase water
consumption to some degree.

system and accepts a

smaller voltage window than the
two-rate charger.
The two-rate charger has an
initial high voltage stage to
charge the battery followed by a
lower voltage maintenance
charge. This allows the battery
to be charged quickly, and yet,
have a low water consumption
due to the low voltage
maintenance level.
The values used for the block
battery ranges for single and
two-rate charge systems are as
shown in Table 5 below.

To minimize the water usage, it is

important to use a low charge
voltage, and so the minimum
voltage for the single level and
the two level charge voltage is
the normally recommended
value. This also helps within a
voltage window to obtain the
lowest, and most effective, end of
discharge voltage (see section 7
Battery sizing).
The values given as maximum
are those which are acceptable
to the battery, but would not
normally be used in practice,
particularly for the single level,
because of high water usage.

8.2 Constant voltage

charging methods
Batteries in stationary
applications are normally
charged by a constant voltage
float system and this can be of
two types: the two-rate type,
where there is an initial constant
voltage charge followed by a
lower voltage floating voltage; or
a single-rate floating voltage.

19

The single voltage charger is

necessarily a compromise
between a voltage high enough
to give an acceptable charge
time and low enough to give a
low water usage. However it
does give a simpler charging

Cell
type

Single level (V/cell)

Two level (V/cell)

min

max

min

max

floating

SBH

1.43

1.50

1.45

1.70

1.40 0.01

SBM

1.43

1.50

1.45

1.70

1.40 0.01

SBL

1.43

1.50

1.47

1.70

1.42 0.01

Table 5 - Charge and float voltages for the block battery ranges

8.3 Charge acceptance

A discharged cell will take a
certain time to achieve a full
state of charge. Figures 6(a), (b)
and (c) give the capacity available
for typical charging voltages
recommended for the block
battery range during the first
30 hours of charge from a fully
discharged state.

Figure 6(a) - Typical recharge times from

a fully discharged state for the H block

20

Figure 6(b) - Typical recharge times from

a fully discharged state for the M block

These graphs give the recharge

time for a current limit of
0.2 C5 amperes. Clearly, if a
lower value for the current is
used, e.g. 0.1 C5 amperes,
then the battery will take longer
to charge. If a higher current is
used then it will charge more
rapidly. This is not in general a
pro rata relationship due to the
limited charging voltage.
The charge time for an M type
plate at different charge regimes
for a fixed voltage is given in
Figure 6(d).

Figure 6(c) - Typical recharge times from

a fully discharged state for the L block

If the application has a particular

recharge time requirement then
this must be taken into account
when calculating the battery.

21

Figure 6(d) - Typical recharge times for

different charge rates for the M block

8.4 Charge efficiency

8.5 Temperature effects

8.6 Commissioning*

The charge efficiency of the

battery is dependent on the
state of charge of the battery
and the temperature. For much
of its charge profile, it is
recharged at a high level of
efficiency.

As the temperature increases,

the electrochemical behavior
becomes more active, and so,
for the same floating voltage, the
current increases. As the
temperature is reduced then the
reverse occurs. Increasing the
current increases the water
loss, and reducing the current
creates the risk that the cell will
not be sufficiently charged.

It is recommended that a good

first charge should be given to
the battery. This is a once only
operation, and is essential to
prepare the battery for its long
service life. It is also important
for discharged and empty cells
which have been filled, as they
will be in a totally discharged
state.

For standby application, it is

normally not required to
compensate the charging voltage
with the temperature. However if
water consumption is of main
concern, temperature
compensation should be used if
the battery is operating at high
temperature such as +35C
(+95F). At low temperature
(< 0C/+32F), there is a risk of
poor charging and it is
recommended either to adjust
the charging voltage or to
compensate the charging voltage
with the temperature.

A constant current first charge

is preferable and this should be
such as to supply 200% of the
rated capacity of the cell. Thus,
a 250 Ah cell will require
500 ampere-hours input, e.g.
50 amperes for 10 hours.
* Please refer to the installation
and operating instructions (see
section 10).

Value of the temperature

compensation: 3 mV/C
(1.7 mV/F), starting from an
ambient temperature of +20C
to +25C (+68F to +77F).

22

In general, at states of charge

less than 80% the charge
efficiency remains high, but as
the battery approaches a fully
charged condition, the charging
efficiency falls off.

9. Special operating factors

9.1 Electrical abuse

23

Ripple effects
The nickel-cadmium battery is
tolerant to high ripple and will
accept ripple currents of up to
0.2 C5 A I eff. In fact, the only
effect of a high ripple current is
that of increased water usage.
Thus, in general, any
commercially available charger
or generator can be used for
commissioning or maintenance
charging of the block battery.
This contrasts with the valveregulated lead acid battery
(VRLA) where relatively small
ripple currents can cause
battery overheating, and will
reduce life and performance.

Over-discharge
If more than the designed
capacity is taken out of a battery
then it becomes deep-discharged
and reversed. This is considered
to be an abuse situation for
a battery and should be avoided.

9.2 Mechanical abuse

In the case of lead acid batteries

this will lead to failure of the
battery and is unacceptable.

Vibration resistance
The block battery concept
has been tested to IEC 77 for
2 hours at 1 g, where
g = acceleration.

The block battery will not be

damaged by over-discharge but
must be recharged to
compensate for the overdischarge.
Overcharge
In the case of the block battery,
with its generous electrolyte
reserve, a small degree of
overcharge over a short period
will not significantly alter the
maintenance period. In the case
of excessive overcharge, water
replenishment is required, but
there will be no significant effect
on the life of the battery.

Shock loads
The block battery concept has
been tested to IEC 68-2-29
(bump tests at 5 g, 10 g and
25 g) and IEC 77 (shock test
3 g), where g = acceleration.

External corrosion
The block battery is
manufactured in durable
polypropylene. All external metal
components are nickel-plated or
stainless steel, protected by an
anti-corrosion oil, and then
protected by a rigid plastic cover.

10. Installation and

operating instructions

10.1 Receiving the

shipment
Unpack the battery immediately upon
arrival. Do not overturn the package.
Transport seals are located under the
cover of the vent plug.
The battery is normally shipped
discharged and empty, do not
remove the plastic transport seals
until ready to fill the battery.
If the battery is shipped filled and
charged, the battery is ready for
installation. Remove the plastic
transport seals only before use.

The battery must never be charged

with the transport seals in place as
this can cause permanent damage.

10.2 Storage
Store the battery indoors in a dry,
clean, cool location (0C to +30C/
+32F to +86F) and well-ventilated
space on open shelves.
Do not store in direct sunlight or
expose to excessive heat.

10.3 Installation
10.3.1 Location
Install the battery in a dry and clean
room. Avoid direct sunlight and heat.
The battery will give the best
performance and maximum service life
when the ambient temperature is
between +10C to +30C (+50F to
+86F).
Block batteries can be fitted on to
stands, floor-mounted or fitted into
cabinets.

a) Cells empty and discharged

Saft recommends to store cells
empty and discharged. This ensures
compliance with IEC 60623 section
4.9 (storage).
Cells can be stored like this for many
years.
b) Cells filled and charged
If cells are stored filled, they must be
fully charged prior to storage.
Cells may be stored filled and
charged for a period not exceeding
12 months from date of dispatch.
Storage of a filled battery at
temperatures above +30C (+86F)
can result in loss of capacity. This can
be as much as 5% per 10C (18F)
above +30C (+86F) per year.
When deliveries are made in
cardboard boxes, store without
opening the boxes.
When deliveries are made in
plywood boxes, open the boxes
before the storage. The lid and the
packing material on top of the cells
must be removed.

Local standards or codes normally

define the mounting arrangements of
batteries, and these must be followed if
applicable. However, if this is not the
case, the following comments should be
used as a guide.
When mounting the battery, it is
desirable to maintain an easy access to
all blocks, they should be situated in a
readily available position. Distances
between stands, and between stands
and walls, should be sufficient to give
good access to the battery.
The overall weight of the battery must
be considered and the load bearing on
the floor taken into account in the
selection of the battery
accommodation.
If the battery is enclosed in a cabinet or
other such enclosed space, it is
important to provide sufficient space to
disperse the gases given off during
charging, and also to minimize
condensation.
It is recommended that at least
200 mm be allowed above cell tops, to
ensure easy access during inspection
and topping-up, and that enough space
is allowed between cabinet walls and
24

Important recommendations
Never allow an exposed flame or
spark near the batteries
particularly while charging.
Never smoke while performing any
operation on the battery.
For protection, wear rubber gloves,
long sleeves, and appropriate
splash goggles or face shield.
The electrolyte is harmful to skin
and eyes. In the event of contact
with skin or eyes, wash
immediately with plenty of water.
If eyes are affected, flush with
water, and obtain immediate
medical attention.
Remove all rings, watches and
other items with metal parts
before working on the battery.
Use insulated tools.
Avoid static electricity and take
measures for protection against
electric shocks.
Discharge any possible static
electricity from clothing and/or
tools by touching an earthconnected part ground before
working on the battery.

the battery to avoid any risk of shortcircuits. Flip-top vents may be turned
through 180 to achieve the most
convenient position for topping-up.
10.3.2 Ventilation
Special regulations for ventilation may
be valid in your area depending on the
applications.

battery room, and from this, the

number of air changes required to
keep the concentration of hydrogen
below a certain level can be calculated.

Recommended
bolts are:
M 6 = 11
M 8 = 20
M 10 = 30

torques for terminal

1.1
2
3

N.m
N.m
N.m

Example:
A battery of 98 cells, type SBH 79
on a three step, two tier stand, is
placed in a room of dimensions 2 m

The connectors and terminal should be

corrosion-protected by coating with a thin
layer of anti-corrosion oil agreed by Saft.

x 2 m x 3 m.
When the battery is housed in a
cubicle or enclosed compartment, it is
necessary to provide adequate
ventilation.
During the last part of high-rate
charging, the battery is emitting gases
(oxygen and hydrogen mixture).

The charging system is capable of

charging at 0.1 C5 and so the
charging current is 7.9 amperes.
The volume of hydrogen evolved per
hour in this, the worst, case is:
98 x 7.9 x 0.00042 m3 = 0.33 m3.
The total volume of the room is
2 x 2 x 3 = 12 m3.

If it is required to establish that the

ventilation of the battery room is
adequate, then it is necessary to
calculate the rate of evolution of
hydrogen to ensure that the
concentration of hydrogen gas in the
room is kept within safe limits.
The theoretical limit for hydrogen
concentration is 4%. However, some
standards call for more severe levels
than this, and levels as low as 1% are
sometimes required.

Approximate volume of battery and

stand does not exceed 1 m3, and

1 Ah of overcharge breaks down

0.366 cm3 of water, and 1 cm3 of
water produces 1.865 liters of gas in
the proportion 2/3 hydrogen and 1/3
oxygen. Thus, 1 Ah of overcharge
produces 0.42 liter of hydrogen.
Therefore, the volume of hydrogen
evolved from a battery per hour
= number of cells x charge current x
0.42 liter
or
= number of cells x charge current x
0.00042 m3

25

The volume of hydrogen found by this

calculation can be expressed as a
percentage of the total volume of the

10.3.4 Electrolyte/cell oil

a) Cells delivered filled and charged
Check the level of electrolyte. It should
not be more than 20 mm below the
upper level mark. If this is not the
case, adjust the level with distilled or
deionized water. Cells delivered filled
have already the cell oil in place.

so, the volume of free air in the

room is 11 m3.
Therefore, the concentration of
hydrogen gas after charging for 1
hour at full gassing potential at 0.1
C5 will be: 0.33 = 3 %
11

b) Cells delivered empty and

discharged
If the electrolyte is supplied dry,
prepare it according to its separate
instructions sheet. The electrolyte to
be used is E22. Remove the transport
seals just before filling.

Thus, to maintain a maximum

concentration of 2% (for example),
the air in the room will need
changing 3/2 = 1.5 times per hour.

To calculate the ventilation

requirements of a battery room,
the following method can be used:

Remove the transport seals and

close the vent plugs.

In practice, a typical figure for natural

room ventilation is about 2.5 air
changes per hour, and so, in this case,
it would not be necessary to introduce
any forced ventilation.
In a floating situation, the current
flowing is very much lower than when
the cell is being charged, and the gas
evolution is minimal; it may be
calculated in the same way using
typical floating currents.

10.3.3 Mounting
Verify that cells are correctly
interconnected with the appropriate
polarity. The battery connection to load
should be with nickel-plated cable lugs.

Fill the cells about 20 mm above the

lower level mark with electrolyte.
Wait 4 to 24 hours and adjust if
necessary before commissioning.
It is recommended to add the cell oil
after the commissioning charge, with
the syringe, according to the quantity
indicated in the installation and
operating instructions sheet.

10.4. Commissioning
Verify that the ventilation is adequate
during this operation.
A good commissioning is important.
Charge at constant current is
preferable.
When the charger maximum voltage
setting is too low to supply constant
current charging, divide the battery
into two parts to be charged

 For cells filled on location or for filled

cells which have been stored more
than 6 months:
charge 10 h at 0.2 C5A
(recommended)
or charge for 30 h at 1.65 V/cell,
current limited to 0.2 C5A
discharge at 0.2 C5A to 1.0 V/cell
charge according to the section
below.
For cells filled and charged by the
factory and stored less than 6
months:
charge 10 h at 0.2 C5A
(recommended)

10.5. Charging in service

Continuous parallel operation, with
occasional battery discharge.
Recommended charging voltage
(+20C to +25C/+68F to +77F):
for two level charge:
float level
= 1.42 0.01 V/cell for SBL
= 1.40 0.01 V/cell for SBM & SBH
high level
= 1.47 - 1.70 V/cell for SBL
= 1.45 - 1.70 V/cell for SBM & SBH.
A high voltage will increase the
speed and efficiency of the recharging.
for single level charge:
1.43 -1.50 V/cell.
Buffer operation, where the load
exceeds the charger rating.
Recommended charging voltage
(+20C to +25C/+68F to +77F):
1.50 - 1.60 V/cell.

or charge 24 h at 1.65 V/ cell,

current limited to 0.2 C5A
or charge 48 h at 1.55 V/ cell,
current limited to 0.2 C5A.
Cell oil and electrolyte after
commissioning:
Wait for 4 hours after
commissioning. Cells delivered filled
by the factory have already the cell
oil in place. For cells filled on
location, add the cell oil with the
syringe.
Check the electrolyte level and adjust it
to the upper level mark by adding:
distilled or deionized water for cells
filled by the factory
electrolyte for cells filled on location.
The battery is ready for service.

10.6 Periodic maintenance

Check the charging voltage. In parallel

operation, it is of great importance
that the recommended charging
voltage remains unchanged. The
charging voltage should be checked at
least once yearly.
High water consumption of the
battery is usually caused by
improper voltage setting of the
charger.

10.7. Changing electrolyte

In most stationary battery applications,
the electrolyte will retain its
effectiveness for the life of the battery.
However, under special battery
operating conditions, if the electrolyte
is found to be carbonated, the battery
performance can be restored by
replacing the electrolyte.
The electrolyte type to be used for
replacement in these cells is: E13.
Refer to "Electrolyte Instructions".

Keep the battery clean using only

water. Do not use a wire brush or
solvents of any kind. Vent plugs can
be rinsed in clean water if
necessary.
Check the electrolyte level. Never let
the level fall below the lower
mark.Use only distilled or deionized
water to top-up. Experience will tell
the time interval between topping-up.
Note:
Once the battery has been filled
with the correct electrolyte at
the battery factory, there is no
need to check the electrolyte
density periodically.
Interpretation of density
measurements is difficult and
could be misleading.
Check every two years that all
connectors are tight. The
connectors and terminal bolts
should be corrosion-protected by
coating with a thin layer of
anti-corrosion oil.

26

individually. If the current limit is lower

than indicated in the table of the
installation and operating instructions
sheet, charge proportionally for a
longer time.

11. Maintenance of block

batteries in service
In a correctly designed standby
application, the block battery
requires the minimum of
attention. However, it is good
practice with any system to carry
out an inspection of the system
at least once per year, or at the
recommended topping-up interval
period to ensure that the
charger, the battery and the
auxiliary electronics are all
functioning correctly.

11.1 Cleanliness/mechanical

11.2 Topping-up

Cells must be kept clean and dry

at all times, as dust and damp
cause current leakage. Terminals
and connectors should be kept
clean, and any spillage during
maintenance should be wiped off
with a clean cloth. The battery can
be cleaned, using water. Do not
use a wire brush or a solvent of
any kind. Vent caps can be rinsed
in clean water, if necessary.

When this inspection is carried

out, it is recommended that
certain procedures should be
carried out to ensure that the
battery is maintained in a good
state.

Check that the flame-arresting

vents are tightly fitted and that
there are no deposits on the
vent cap.

Check the electrolyte level. Never

let the level fall below the lower
MIN mark. Use only approved
distilled or deionised water to
top-up. Do not overfill the cells.
Excessive consumption of water
indicates operation at too high a
voltage or too high a
temperature. Negligible
consumption of water, with
batteries on continuous low
current or float charge, could
indicate under-charging.
A reasonable consumption of
water is the best indication that
a battery is being operated
under the correct conditions.
Any marked change in the rate
of water consumption should be
investigated immediately.

Terminals should be checked for

tightness, and the terminals and
connectors should be corrosionprotected by coating with a thin
layer of neutral grease or anticorrosion oil.

The topping-up interval can be

calculated as described in
section 6.9. However, it is
recommended that, initially,
electrolyte levels should be
monitored monthly to
determine the frequency of
topping-up required for a
particular installation.

27

Saft has a full range of toppingup equipment available to aid this

operation.

11.3 Capacity check

Electrical battery testing is not
part of normal routine
maintenance, as the battery is
required to give the back up
function and cannot be easily
taken out of service.
However, if a capacity test of the
battery is needed, the following
procedure should be followed:

11.4 Recommended
maintenance procedure
In order to obtain the best from
your battery, the following
maintenance procedure is
recommended.

Yearly
check charge voltage settings
check cell voltages
(30 mV deviation from average

a) Discharge the battery at the

rate of 0.1 C5 to 0.2 C5A (10
to 20 A for a 100 Ah battery)
to a final average voltage of
1.0 V/cell (i.e. 92 volts for a
92 cell battery)

is acceptable)
check float current of the battery
check electrolyte level
high voltage charge if agreed
for application
Every 2 years
clean cell lids and battery area

b) Charge 200% (i.e. 200 Ah for

a 100 Ah battery at the same
rate used in a)

check torque values, grease

terminals and connectors
Every 5 years or as required
capacity check
As required
top-up with water according to
defined period (depend on float
voltage, cycles and temperature)

It is also recommended that a

maintenance record be kept
which should include a record of
the temperature of the battery
room.

28

c) Discharge at the same rate

used in a), measuring and
recording current, voltage and
time every hour, and more
frequently towards the end of
the discharge. This should be
continued until a final average
voltage of 1.0 V/cell is
reached. The overall state of
the battery can then be seen,
and if individual cell
measurements are taken, the
state of each cell can be
observed.

12. Disposal and recycling

In a world where autonomous
sources of electric power are ever
more in demand, Saft batteries
provide an environmentally
responsible answer to these needs.
Environmental management lies at
the core of Safts business and we
take care to control every stage of a
batterys life cycle in terms of
potential impact. Environmental
protection is our top priority, from
design and production through endof-life collection, disposal and
recycling, where more than 99% of
battery metals are recycled.
Our respect for the environment is
complemented by an equal respect
for our customers. We aim to
generate confidence in our products,
not only from a functional
standpoint, but also in terms of the
environmental safeguards that are
built into their life cycle. The simple
and unique nature of the battery
components make them readily
recyclable and this process
safeguards valuable natural
resources for future generations.
In partnership with collection
agencies worldwide, Saft organizes
retrieval from pre-collection points
and the recycling of spent Saft
batteries. Information about Safts
collection network can be found on
our web site :

29

www.saftbatteries.com

Ni-Cd batteries must not be

discarded as harmless waste and
should be treated carefully in
accordance with local and national
regulations. Your Saft representative
can assist with further information
on these regulations and with the
overall recycling procedure.

NEW
BATTERIES
PURE
CADMIUM
BATTERY
USE

DISTILLATION
SPENT
BATTERIES

CADMIUM
PLATES

STEEL
SCRAP

DISMANTLING

STEEL
WORKS

NICKEL
PLATES

Committed to a clean environment

Saft takes seriously its responsibility to safeguard the environment.
At several sites worldwide, more than 99% of metals contained in the
battery are recycled. This process safeguards valuable natural
resources and is a service to customers that Saft will continue
to offer for future generations.
To locate the nearest collection site, visit www.saftbatteries.com
Africa
Export sales dpt,
France
Tel: +33 1 49 93 19 18
Fax: +33 1 49 93 19 56

Finland
HansaBattery Oy,
Espoo
Tel: +358 9 260 65 292
Fax: +358 9 260 65 299

Netherlands
Saft Batteries B.V.,
Haarlem
Tel: +31 23 750 5720
Fax: +31 23 750 5725

Argentina
Energia Alcalina,
Buenos Aires
Tel: +54 11 4334 9034/35
Fax: +54 11 4342 5024

France
Division France,
Bagnolet
Tel: +33 1 49 93 19 18
Fax: +33 1 49 93 19 64

Norway
Saft AS, Osteraas
Tel: +47 6716 4160
Fax: +47 6716 4170

Australia
Saft Australia Pty Ltd,
Seven Hills
Tel: +61 2 9674 0700
Fax: +61 2 9620 9990

Germany
Saft Batterien GmbH,
Nrnberg
Tel: +49 911 94 174-0
Fax: +49 911 426 144

Austria
Statron GmbH, Wien
Tel: +43 1 617 40 60
Fax: +43 1 617 40 60/40

Hong Kong
Saft Ltd,
Kowloon
Tel: +852 2796 99 32
Fax: +852 2798 06 19

Belgium
AEG Belgium SA, Brussels
Tel: +32 2 529 6543
Fax: +32 2 529 6449
Brazil
FSE (Fbrica de Sistemas de Energia) Ltda.,
Sao Paulo
Tel: +55 11 6100 6304
Fax: +55 11 6100 6338
Canada Please contact USA office
Chile
Techno Parts Ltda.,
Santiago
Tel: +56 (2) 249 6060
China
Saft Trading
Tel: +86 21 5866 7935
Fax: +86 21 5866 6403
Czech Republic
Saft Ferak a.s.,
Prague
Tel: +420 281 080 120
Fax: +420 281 080 119
Denmark
Scansupply A/S,
Birkeroed
Tel: +45 45 82 50 90
Fax: +45 45 82 54 40

Saft
Industrial Battery Group
12, rue Sadi Carnot
93170 Bagnolet France
Tel: +33 1 49 93 19 18
Fax: +33 1 49 93 19 64
www.saftbatteries.com

India sub continent

Export sales dpt,
Sweden
Tel: +46 491 680 00
Fax: +46 491 681 80
Italy
Saft Batterie Italia S.r.l.,
Segrate (Milano)
Tel: +39 02 89 28 07 47
Fax: +39 02 89 28 07 62
Japan
Sumitomo Corp.,
Tokyo
Tel: +81 3 5144 9082
Fax: +81 3 5144 9267
Korea
Enersys Korea Co. Ltd,
Kyunggi-Do
Tel: +82 2501 0033
Fax: +82 2501 0034
Mexico
Troop y Compania,SA de CV,
Mexico
Tel: +52 55 50 82 10 30
Fax: +52 55 50 82 10 39
Middle East
Saft Nife ME Ltd,
Limassol, Cyprus
Tel: +357 25 820040
Fax: +357 25 748492

Doc N 21081-2-0704
Edition: July 2004
Data in this document is subject to change without
notice and becomes contractual only after written
confirmation.
Photo credit: Saft, Photodisc, Digitalvision.
Socit anonyme au capital de 31 944 000
RCS Bobigny B 383 703 873
Prepared by Arthur Associates Limited.

Russia
ZAO Alcatel, Moscow
Tel: +7 095 937 0967
Fax: +7 095 937 0906
Singapore
Saft Batteries Pte Ltd,
Singapore
Tel: +65 6512 1500
Fax: +65 6749 7282
Spain
Saft Baterias S.L.
San Sebastian de los Reyes
Tel: +34 916 59 34 80
Fax: +34 916 59 34 90
Sweden
Saft AB,
Oskarshamn
Tel: +46 491 680 00
Fax: +46 491 681 80
Switzerland
Statron AG,
Mgenwil
Tel: +41 62 887 4 887
Fax: +41 62 887 4 888
United Kingdom
Saft Ltd,
Harlow
Tel: +44 1279 772 550
Fax: +44 1279 420 909
USA
Saft America Inc.,
North Haven (CT)
Tel: +1 203 239 4718
Fax: +1 203 234 7598
Telecom applications
Valdosta (GA)
Tel: +1 229 245 2854
Fax: +1 229 247 8486
Venezuela
Corporacin INTELEC C.A.,
Caracas
Tel: +58 212 9631122