Circuit Interrupt Devices in Lithium-Ion Battery

Image reference: Kaliaperumal M, Dharanendrakumar MS, Prasanna S, Abhishek KV, Chidambaram RK, Adams S, Zaghib K, Reddy MV. Cause and Mitigation of Lithium-Ion Battery Failure—A Review. Materials. 2021; 14(19):5676.

Imagine you are a skilled tightrope walker, and as you begin your journey, you notice a safety harness strapped to your waist. This harness is your ultimate safeguard against falling into the river valley below. The safety harness possesses an extraordinary feature: a hidden mechanism that senses any imbalance or disturbance in your movements. The moment it detects any deviation from stability, it instantly engages and locks, halting your progress on the wire.

This hidden mechanism represents the 'Circuit Interrupt Devices' (CID) in a lithium-ion battery. Just like the harness protects you from a potential fall, circuit interrupt devices safeguard lithium-ion batteries from catastrophic events. CIDs diligently monitors critical parameters such as voltage, current, and temperature. They stay hidden, yet they are ever vigilant, ready to intervene at a moment's notice.

Should the battery experience an overcharge, an excessive discharge, or a rise in temperature, the circuit interrupt device springs into action. It instantly disconnects the battery from the circuit, halting the flow of energy and preventing further escalation of the situation.

Types of Circuit Interrupt Devices:

Overvoltage Protection:

Overvoltage protection devices are responsible for safeguarding lithium-ion batteries from excessively high voltages. They monitor the battery voltage and disconnect the circuit if it exceeds a predetermined threshold, preventing overcharging scenarios.

Undervoltage Protection:

Undervoltage protection devices play a vital role in preventing excessive discharge of lithium-ion batteries. They monitor the battery voltage and disconnect the circuit if it drops below a specified threshold, safeguarding against deep discharge, which can damage the battery's performance and longevity.

Overcurrent Protection:

Overcurrent protection devices are essential in preventing high currents that could lead to overheating and thermal runaway. They continuously monitor the current flowing through the battery and swiftly interrupt the circuit if it exceeds a safe limit.

Thermal Protection:

Thermal protection devices monitor the temperature of lithium-ion batteries. If the temperature rises to an unsafe level, these devices disconnect the battery from the circuit, preventing thermal runaway and mitigating the risk of fires or explosions.