Stationary Applications

Methods for defining the dc load and for sizing a lead-acid battery to supply that load for stationary battery applications in float service are described in this recommended practice. Some factors relating to cell selection are provided for consideration. Installation, maintenance, qualification, testing procedures, and consideration of battery types other than lead-acid are beyond the scope of this recommended practice. Design of the dc system and sizing of the battery charger(s) are also beyond the scope of this recommended practice.

Recommended design practices and procedures for storage, location, mounting, ventilation, instrumentation, preassembly, assembly, and charging of vented lead-acid batteries are provided. Required safety practices are also included. These recommended practices are applicable to all stationary applications. Specific applications, such as emergency lighting units, semiportable equipment, and alternate energy applications, may have other appropriate practices and are beyond the scope of this recommended practice.

Maintenance, test schedules, and testing procedures that can be used to optimize the life and performance of permanently installed, vented lead-acid storage batteries used for standby service are provided. Guidance to determine when batteries should be replaced is also provided. This recommended practice is applicable to standby service stationary applications where a charger maintains the battery fully charged and supplies the dc loads.

Recommended information for an objective evaluation of an emerging or alternative energy storage device or system by a potential user for any stationary application is covered in this document. Energy storage technologies are those that provide a means for the reversible storage of electrical energy, i.e., the device receives electrical energy and is able to discharge electrical energy at a later time. The storage medium may be electrochemical (e.g., batteries), kinetic (e.g., flywheels), electrostatic (e.g., electric double-layer capacitors), thermal, compressed air, or some other medium. Devices recharged by non-electrical means, such as fuel cells, are beyond the scope of this document. The document provides a common basis for the expression of performance characteristics and the treatment of life-testing data. A standard approach for analysis of failure modes is also provided, including assessment of safety attributes. The intent of this document is to ensure that characterization information, including test conditions and limits of applicability, is sufficiently complete to allow valid comparisons to be made.

Operational parameters that may be observed by battery monitoring equipment used in stationary applications and the relative value of such observations are discussed in this guide. Although a list of commercially available systems is not given, a means for establishing specifications for the desired parameters to be monitored is provided.

Revision of IEEE Std 1187-1996. This guide describes methods for selecting the appropriate type of valve-regulated, immobilized-electrolyte, recombinant lead-acid battery for any of a variety of stationary float applications. The purpose of this document is to ensure that the reader is aware of all significant issues that should be considered when selecting VRLA batteries, so that the user might make an informed decision.

This recommended practice is limited to maintenance, test schedules and testing procedures that can be used to optimize the life and performance of valve regulated lead-acid (VRLA) batteries for stationary applications. It also provides guidance to determine when batteries should be replaced. An amendment< IEEE Std 1888a is available for this standard.