Philips Emergency Lighting
NICKEL-CADMIUM Battery Advantages
W hat justifies higher cost nickel-cadmium
batteries used in Philips Bodine fluorescent
emergency ballasts versus less expensive sealed
Ability to withstand overcharge and overdis-
charge.
Our products use a low parts-count, extremely
lead-acid batteries? To answer this question let's reliable, constant-current charger; lead-acid
look at some of the advantages nicad batteries offer: batteries require a multi-rate charger with a current-
limited mode followed by temperature-compensated
Operational within a wide temperature range. float voltage control. Other-wise, the electrolyte is
The ballast channel of fluorescent fixtures typically converted to explosive gases that escape. Lead-
reaches 50 degrees Celsius. Philips Bodine uses acid batteries need a low-voltage disconnect
only high-temperature nicad batteries that are rated circuit to protect against deterioration from deep
for continuous duty at up to 70 degrees Celsius. discharge. No protection against deep discharge
Specially designed electrodes, electrolyte and is needed with nicads because the metals are inert
separator are used that maintain long service life at in the electrolyte.
high temperatures. No comparable high-temperature
lead-acid battery is available. L ow i n t e r n a l r e s i s t a n c e a n d c o n s t a n t
discharge voltage.
Completely sealed construction. Low internal resistance enable high-rate discharge
Electrolyte leakage is prevented, and the battery is and high discharge efficiency. Constant discharge
maintenance free and can be mounted in any orienta- voltage means that emergency illumination remains
tion. Unlike most “sealed” lead-acid batteries equipped relatively constant over the entire emergency
with vent caps, nicad batteries do not vent hydrogen runtime. Lead battery Ampere-hour ratings are
and oxygen in the standby charging condition. usually based on 10-hour or 20-hour rates. Because
of lower discharge efficiency, they do not produce
Long storage life and long service life. rated Ampere-hour capacity when discharged
Unlike sealed lead-acid batteries, nicad batteries can quicker as in emergency lighting applications.
be stored for long time periods and in a fully discharged
condition without deterioration. They can last over Metal casing which ensures ruggedness.
500 charge/discharge cycles. The nickel-cadmium The nicad's steel cylindrical can resist internal
cell is a system in which the electrodes change in pressure and external damage better than the plastic
oxidation state without changing physical state. The rectangular enclosure of lead acid batteries.
active materials are insoluble in the alkaline electrolyte.
In a lead-acid system, material transfers from one
electrode to the other and the active materials are
consumed during operation and storage.
© 2010 Philips Emergency Lighting
A Division Of Philips Lighting Electronics North America
236 Mt. Pleasant Road • 38017 • P.O. Box 460 • Collierville, TN 38027-0460 • 800-223-5728 • 901-853–7211 • FAX 901-853–5009
www.philips.com/bodine
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