Arc analysis to the CID of li-ion battery cells in high-current applications

This paper focus on the prevention and risk management of DC arcs in batteries. Indeed some commercial Li-ion batteries include Positive Temperature Coefficient (PTC) and Current Interrupt Device (CID) to manage safety concerns. PTC is used to prevent too high currents inside the cell. CID is used to manage cell over-charge by opening the cell circuitry by internal pressure increase. Analysis will be used to improve the Li-ion batteries safety in high voltage applications. The experimental test bench is composed of a 48 V DC battery pack and a variable resistor which can deliver a continuous current up to 1000 A. Two configurations are considered to initiate the arc. In the first configuration, the CID opens dynamically by contact release. The second configuration consists in igniting an arc between the electrodes with a copper wire in a confined space. Arc voltage and current are measured. Arc image is recorded using a high speed video camera which allows an analysis of the physical phenomena. Arcing analysis leads to solution proposal to reduce arcing risk.