Enhanced continuous battery monitoring

Various schemes exist for monitoring the condition of batteries connected to telecommunications power systems. Such schemes may be divided into those which provide online data by means of continuous monitoring, and those which rely on a discharge test or the connection of external equipment to provide results. There are advantages and disadvantages in all present methods, thus a simple method for providing early warning of potential failure or end of life is sought, which is reliable, cost-effective, and does not diminish the battery life. The method which is the subject of this paper monitors float current, charge current balance and discharge current balance, thus is not intrusive to operation or battery life. The method may be used on its own, or in addition to other methods.