Battery performance testing with the Applied Technical Services Family of Companies (FoC) assists manufacturers designing powerful, long-lasting energy sources.
Modern batteries use sophisticated chemistry, such as lead-acid or lithium-ion, to achieve the capacity and battery life that allows them to power critical equipment. The aerospace, telecommunications, and electric vehicle industries require batteries to operate in severe conditions without failure. Deficient designs can leave batteries vulnerable to overheating or a buildup of toxic gases that cause fires or explosions during transport or use.
Performance testing from a qualified third-party lab takes the pressure off manufacturers and leaves battery testing to professionals.
Preparing Batteries for Real-Life Scenarios
The ATS FoC operates several ISO/IEC 17025:2017-accredited labs certified in electrical, chemical, and mechanical tests at the battery cell, module, and pack levels. We perform tests that simulate real-life scenarios associated with regular operation and reasonably foreseeable misuse.
- Cold cranking
- External short-circuit
- Extreme internal and external temperatures
- High altitudes
- Impacts such as dropping or crushing
- Mechanical shock
- Self-discharging with age or defect
- Vibrations
When performing potentially hazardous tests, our experts use a Hazard Containment Room (HCR) designed to contain small explosions, suppress fires, and vent gases produced during abuse testing. We fit our labs with an array of technologies for battery testing, capable of reaching the following limits:
- Max. power: 300 kW
- Max. current: 1040 A
- Max. water bath temperature: 90 ˚C
- Max. voltage: 750 V
- Max. temperature: 190 ˚C
Battery Testing Lab
Battery performance testing primarily reveals data about a design’s capacity for energy storage and how much power it can deliver over time. Our experts use electrical tests to measure battery qualities and capabilities, including:
- Capacity
- Charge Recovery
- Charge Retention
- Charging Rate
- Discharge Capacity
- Open Circuit Voltage (OCV)
- Power
- Resistance
We offer various types of cycle testing that simulate the dynamic electrical loads and conditions encountered over a battery’s lifetime. Over time, battery capacity degrades due to temperature, age, and charging cycles. Knowing the battery capacity and projected lifespan helps manufacturers establish a warranty period and for users to schedule maintenance. To calculate the battery’s life expectancy, we perform life testing by subjecting a sample to charging/discharging cycles until it degrades or fails.
Optimizing Battery Designs
Performance testing helps manufacturers compare designs for quality control and battery optimization:
- Analyze battery efficiency in various conditions
- Make design changes
- Determine specifications
Qualified third-party testing takes batteries another step closer to the market. Before manufacturers can proceed with mass production and distribution, they must ensure their product complies with national and international regulations. For example, the UN Manual of Tests and Criteria stipulates that lithium batteries must pass tests for safe transportation. Our experts can verify batteries pass the mechanical and electrical tests outlined in UN 38.3.
After completing performance testing, clients can proceed with certification from a NRTL. Our battery experts guide new manufacturers through the complicated certification processes to release battery products sooner and more cost-effectively.
Testing with the ATS FoC
The ATS Family of Companies is a nationwide network of consulting engineering, calibration, inspection, and testing firms. The FoC draws on our collective expertise and knowledge to provide high-quality support and results with a quick turnaround rate. We work to empower clients in a wide range of businesses and industries.
We maintain several ISO/IEC 17025:2017-accredited labs capable of ISO/IEC 17025 electrical, chemical, mechanical, and nondestructive testing and calibrations. In addition to providing rigorous tests, our experts report their findings in comprehensive analyses traceable to industry standards and practices.
Click to learn more about our certifications.
Contact Us
Call +1 (888) 287-5227 to speak with a representative about our battery performance testing services. To schedule a test, call the ATS FoC or fill out the request form on this page.
