A module is connected to each battery. It monitors for temperature and impedance, while actively adjusting the battery voltage to ensure the voltage is set at the UPS charger level. This process is called equalisation.

When actively monitoring and equalising batteries yields the following benefits

• Avoiding over charging
• Avoiding under charging
• Avoiding sulfation
• Detecting stratification
• Detecting problems with the battery by monitoring temperature and impedance
• Detecting and alerting to thermal runaway
• increases battery life by 30%

Batteries supported

• 12V: 7-600Ah lead batteries
  Measuring value: 9.7V-17V
  RI range: 0.5-60mOhm
  150mA Equalizing
• 16V: 7-600Ah lead batteries
  Measuring value: 9.7V-21V
  RI range: 0.5-60mOhm
  150mA Equalizing
• 6V: 7-900Ah batteries
  Measuring value: 4.8V-8V
  RI range: 0.5-60mOhm
  300mA Equalizing
• 2V: 7-9000Ah batteries
  RI range: 0.02-6mOhm
  850mA Equalizing

NiCd, NiMH, flooded and VRLA lead batteries

The BACS® WEB-MANAGER acts as the battery system‘s central control unit. It gathers, evaluates, and stores system information. The user is provided access to three web server pages. One displays the actual status of batteries; a second shows actual UPS data; the third shows environmental data and alarm contacts status. The web browser interface of the system is designed for easy configuration. It provides the user with access to all system values and events. A flexible programming interface known as the EVENT MANAGER coordinates a system response to significant events (alarms, notifications, etc.).

The WEB-MANAGER handles events involving the UPS, inverters, environmental sensors, transfer switches, generators, dry contacts, and other devices.

BACS® includes a full qualified UPS/SNMP and MODBUS manager, one that is compatible with any UPS presently on the market! Among BMS systems on the market, this function is unique.

BACS® allows MODBUS clients to read the system data through IP and RS232 (and, optionally, RS485), as well as through SNMP. Conversion to PROFBIS and LONBUS is possible through optional converters.

Provides graphical BACS® data analysis and reporting.

BACS® has the ability to send out ―advance warning alarms via email, email-to-SMS, network message, SNMP, RCCMD, MODBUS, and, optionally, PROFIBUS, LONBUS, and GSM. (Alarm parameters can be configured by the user to match battery type.)

For instance, discovering rising internal resistance in a battery—an indicator of corrosion or sulfation— BACS® triggers an alarm.

Given early warning of issues, the user is able to investigate and take action far in advance of the consequences that can result from them. The effects of corrective actions taken are immediately observable. In addition to internal resistance, BACS® monitors voltage, temperature, the equalising process, the system‘s charging/discharging cycles, and, optionally, current. When pre-set thresholds of these categories are crossed, an alarm is communicated.

In addition to sending network alarms, BACS® also warns users via audible and visual signals (a buzzer on the BACS® MANAGER and alarm LEDs on the module and BACS® MANAGER).

BACS® has the ability to integrate UPS monitoring and alerting via the serial port. Over 1400 UPS manufacturers are supported.

BACS® system

Processor

ARM Cortex A8 800MHz processor

Memory

512 MB storage for battery history

Power

Stabilized external power supply 12V 2000mA

Interfaces

3x RS-232 interfaces, (COM1=UPS/power device, COM2=Multipurpose, service port for Windows BACS READER and PROGRAMMER software)
USB
2x battery bus converter outputs internal
1x RJ45, 10/100Mbit Ethernet
1x potential-free contact (2 pole screw terminal for max. 1.0mm², rated load 24 VDC /1A)

Display

3x LED (Manager status, UPS/device alarm, BACS alarm)
1x buzzer with mute button

Housing

Aluminium, RAL 7035 (light gray) ETL listed, FCC class A

Dimensions

130 x125 x 30mm (W x L x H)

Weight

180g

Operating conditions

Temperature 0-60°C, max. humidity 20-95%, not condensing

MTBF (Calculated)

849,192 hours; 96.9 years

BACS® modules (rev 3)

Construction

Measuring modules with equalisation

BACS® patent no.: DE 102004013351.4

Power consumption from battery

Consumption at normal operation: 15-20mA Consumption at “Sleep Mode” < 1mA

Measuring precision

Internal resistance : < 10 % at C40, < 5% at C20/30 Voltage : < 0.5 % Temperature: < 15 %

Interfaces

2x RJ10 for BACS battery bus Internal RS232 bus interface 1x button for the addressing Temperature sensor -35 to + 85 °C Optical display LED (alarms red/green, mode red/green)

Housing

ABS housing (UL certified, flame retardant, cooling fins)

Dimensions

55 x 80 x 24 mm (B x H x T), 45g

Operating conditions

Temperature 0 - 60°C, max. humidity 90%, not condensing IP 42 coated against dust and condensate)

High Voltage Tested

Protection against high ohmic batteries fault voltages up to 150 Volt /per module (fuse opens). At higher voltages the fuse opens, but BACS module is damaged. All REV 3.1 modules are designed for fault voltages up to 600 Volt

MTBF (calculated)

87,600 hours (10 years)

Module BACS® C20
REV 3 module for 12 Volt 7-600Ah lead batteries (UL certified)

Voltage Range

9.7V – 17V

RI Range

0.5-60mOhm

Equalisation Current

0.15 A

Module BACS® C23
REV 3 module for 16 Volt 7-600Ah lead batteries (UL certified)

Voltage Range

9.7V – 21V

RI Range

0.5-60mOhm

Equalisation Current

0.12 A

Module BACS® C30
REV 3 module for 6 Volt 7-900Ah lead batteries (UL certified)

Voltage Range

4.8V – 8V

RI Range

0.5-60mOhm

Equalisation Current

0.3 A

Module BACS® C40
REV 3 module for 2 Volt 7-5000Ah lead batteries, NiCd, NiMH batteries (UL certified)

Voltage Range

1.25V – 3.2V

RI Range

0.02-6mOhm

Equalisation Current

0.9 A (at 2.27V)

Current Sensors

BACS® DC current sensor 50/200/400/1000/2000 Ampere

Ord. No: BACS_CSH50, BACS_CSH200, BACS_CSH400, BACS_CSH1000, BACS_CSH2000 +/-50A, +/-200A, +/-400A, +/-1000A, +/-2000A DC Current transducer diameter hole : 21mm (BACS_CSH50) /40 mm

BACS® bus interface GX_R_AUX

Ord. No: GX_R_AUX
BACS bus module with free programmable 4 digital inputs and 4 relay outputs.
A typical application is the control of a battery breaker in case of ― thermal runaway alarm in the battery system. (According to US Norm International Fire Code IFC 608.3 the batteries of a UPS have to be isolatied in case of a thermal runaway). In case of a high battery temperature and increasing voltages during float charge, the GX_R_AUX may open the battery breaker to stop a further increase of the temperatures in the batteries. Individual programming of the relays through web interface.