The load controller , charging or the battery controller limits the rate at which an electric current is added or withdrawn from the battery. This prevents overcharging and can protect against overvoltage, which may reduce battery performance or life span, and may pose a security risk. It can also prevent completely draining ("in use") the battery, or performing a controlled release, depending on battery technology, to protect battery life. The term "charge controller" or "charge regulator" may refer to a stand-alone device, or to control the integrated circuit in a battery, battery-powered device, or battery charger.
Video Charge controller
Stand-alone cost controller
Load controllers are sold to consumers as separate devices, often together with wind or solar generators, for use like RVs, boats, and home storage systems that do not have a grid. In a solar application, the charge handler can also be called a solar regulator. Some cost controllers/solar regulators have additional features, such as low voltage disconnection (LVD), a separate circuit that drives the load when the battery becomes too depleted (some chemical batteries such that over discharge can damage the battery).
The serial payload of or series regulator disables the flow of further current into the battery when it is full. A shunt cost controller or shunt regulator switches excess power to additional load or "shunt", such as an electric water heater, when the battery is full.
The simple charge control stops charging the battery when they exceed the regulated high voltage level, and reactivate charging when the battery voltage drops back below that level. Pulse width modulation (PWM) and power point tracker (MPPT) technology are more sophisticated electronically, adjusting the charging level depending on the battery level, to allow charging closer to maximum capacity.
The load controller with MPPT capability frees the system designer from the PV voltage that almost matches the battery voltage. Adequate efficiency gains can be achieved, especially when the PV array is located at a certain distance from the battery. For example, a 150 volt PV array connected to the MPPT cost controller can be used to charge 24 or 48 volt batteries. Higher array voltages mean lower current arrays, so savings in cabling costs can be more than paying the controller.
The charge controller can also monitor the temperature of the battery to prevent overheating. Some cost control systems also display data, transmit data to remote display, and record data to track the flow of electricity over time.
Maps Charge controller
Integrated payload control package
Circuits that act as load regulators may consist of several electrical components, or can be encapsulated in a microchip, an integrated circuit (IC) usually called a load control IC or load control IC.
Charging control circuits are used for rechargeable electronic devices such as cell phones, laptop computers, portable audio players, and uninterrupted power supplies, as well as for larger battery systems found in electric vehicles and orbiting space satellites.
See also
- Battery balancing
- Solar inverter
- Voltage
- Zener diode
Note
Source of the article : Wikipedia
0 Comments