Station Battery Load Testing
Station Battery Load Testing
(OP)
Another thread on battery conductance testing prompts me to ask a related question regarding periodic battery load testing. I believe the NETA standards recommend a dc load test every two years. Some testing companies are telling us that load tests are not commonly done any longer as part of maintenance testing.
I was skeptical, so I checked with a large regional electric utility and was told that they no longer do routine load tests on substation batteries because they believe it can shorten battery life.
I'd be interested in hearing what others are doing.
Thanks,
Dave
I was skeptical, so I checked with a large regional electric utility and was told that they no longer do routine load tests on substation batteries because they believe it can shorten battery life.
I'd be interested in hearing what others are doing.
Thanks,
Dave






RE: Station Battery Load Testing
RE: Station Battery Load Testing
I have heard the same rumors about load testing shortening the life of the batteries, but I am hesitant to believe it. In the reports on the batteries at our power stations, I saw no difference in lifespan between the stations that did load testing and those that did not.
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If it is broken, fix it. If it isn't broken, I'll soon fix that.
RE: Station Battery Load Testing
Anyone from the insurers on this site who might be able to comment?
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If we learn from our mistakes I'm getting a great education!
RE: Station Battery Load Testing
Do the advances in battery testing apparatus negate the need for real load tests?
old field guy
RE: Station Battery Load Testing
I thought NETA recommended every two years, but I was going from memory - five years seems more reasonable, actually.
RE: Station Battery Load Testing
NETA testing intervals are based on the NFPA 70B and then factor in reliablilty requirements and environmental conditions, so there is no set time. I agree that every 5 years is resonable unless the owner has had problems or there are special conditions.
RE: Station Battery Load Testing
Perhaps test frequency should be increased as the battery ages?
RE: Station Battery Load Testing
Just like us older guys going to the doc more often, not a bad idea.
RE: Station Battery Load Testing
VRLA types are another story. I'd do a full discharge test when they are new and maybe after one or two years, but that's about it. I would do a conductance test or short load test every six months because they have a way of failing suddenly and unpredictably.