Protection requirement for battery charger

[FreshmanNewbie]

Any idea on whether the MCP73832 IC can be used to charge a battery pack with two cells in series?

Typically, battery protection circuits include individual cell voltage monitoring to prevent cells from exceeding their maximum voltage, which could lead to thermal runaway.

How to check whether the MCP73832 is designed for 2S cell packs? Going through the datasheet I think it lacks the ability to measure the voltage of each cell separately. How to check whether there are any safety mechanisms are in place that eliminate the need for individual cell monitoring? Would you recommend pairing this charger with an additional battery management IC for enhanced protection?

 

[danadakk]

Typically, battery protection circuits include individual cell voltage monitoring to prevent cells from exceeding their maximum voltage, which could lead to thermal runaway.

Excellent approach.

Battery monitors & balancers | TI.com

Accurate battery cell monitoring and integrated protection

www.ti.com

 

[KlausST]

Any idea on whether the MCP73832 IC can be used to charge a battery pack with two cells in series?

Datasheet most big headline, first couple of words: Miniature Single-Cell

What could "single-cell" mean in this case?
That it´s for two cells?

In doubt (also first page, features.): Four Voltage Regulation Options: 4.20V, 4.35V, 4.40V, 4.50V
How could these voltages work with 2 cells?

*****
In total the headline says: Miniature Single-Cell, Fully Integrated Li-Ion, Li-Polymer Charge Management Controllers
So is it a
* charger?
* a protection circuit?
* a battery management system IC (BMS)
(What does the headline say?)

You have to differentiat between these functions. They are not the same. And they are used for different tasks.

If you look for a battery charger circuit: do a search for charger circuits.
If you look for a battery protection circuit: do a search for battery protection circuits.
If you look for a BMS circuit: do a search for BMS circuits.

Don´t expect a dedicated "single cell" charger to have features for individual cell voltages on a multiple cell system.
****

* a charger .. is designed to charge a battery
* the opposite is a "load" that discharges a battery.

A charger may be connected to the battery or not. Maybe there is a connector.
A load may be connected to the battery or not. Maybe there is a connector.

I see your idea that during charging the cells should be protced aginst overvoltage. But this is only half of the truth. You get the same problem during discharging. You need to protect the cells agains under-discharging. And that´s the job of a BMS.
And thus the BMS usually is hard wired to the battery (cells). (independent of charger and load)

***
And a balancer is another different function.
While a BMS may simply stop charging and discharging by disconnecting ... a balancer is an active circuit that tries to keep all cell voltages on equal levels.

***

All this could you find out yourself by jsut simple internet searches.

Klaus

 

[FreshmanNewbie]

Datasheet most big headline, first couple of words: Miniature Single-Cell

What could "single-cell" mean in this case?
That it´s for two cells?

In doubt (also first page, features.): Four Voltage Regulation Options: 4.20V, 4.35V, 4.40V, 4.50V
How could these voltages work with 2 cells?

*****
In total the headline says: Miniature Single-Cell, Fully Integrated Li-Ion, Li-Polymer Charge Management Controllers
So is it a
* charger?
* a protection circuit?
* a battery management system IC (BMS)
(What does the headline say?)

You have to differentiat between these functions. They are not the same. And they are used for different tasks.

If you look for a battery charger circuit: do a search for charger circuits.
If you look for a battery protection circuit: do a search for battery protection circuits.
If you look for a BMS circuit: do a search for BMS circuits.

Don´t expect a dedicated "single cell" charger to have features for individual cell voltages on a multiple cell system.
****

* a charger .. is designed to charge a battery
* the opposite is a "load" that discharges a battery.

A charger may be connected to the battery or not. Maybe there is a connector.
A load may be connected to the battery or not. Maybe there is a connector.

I see your idea that during charging the cells should be protced aginst overvoltage. But this is only half of the truth. You get the same problem during discharging. You need to protect the cells agains under-discharging. And that´s the job of a BMS.
And thus the BMS usually is hard wired to the battery (cells). (independent of charger and load)

***
And a balancer is another different function.
While a BMS may simply stop charging and discharging by disconnecting ... a balancer is an active circuit that tries to keep all cell voltages on equal levels.

***

All this could you find out yourself by jsut simple internet searches.

Klaus

How about this part: https://ww1.microchip.com/downloads...s/APID/ProductDocuments/DataSheets/21823D.pdf

Aren't "Charge management controller" and "Battery Management System" technically the same?

 

[D.A.(Tony)Stewart]

BQ76905 data sheet, product information and support | TI.com

TI’s BQ76905 is a Low-power monitor and protector for 2S to 5S with high accuracy cell voltage measurement. Find parameters, ordering and quality information

www.ti.com

 

[KlausST]

Aren't "Charge management controller" and "Battery Management System" technically the same?

did you do an internet search on this? or ask chatGPT? Or Wikipedia, or or or

Or; did you even read my post .... I already explained...

Klaus