What is valve regulated lead acid battery used for?

VRLA batteries are used extensively in power wheelchairs, as the extremely low gas and acid output makes them much safer for indoor use. VRLA batteries are also used in the uninterruptible power supply (UPS) as a backup when the electrical power goes off.

What is meant by valve regulated battery?

The Valve Regulated Lead Acid (VRLA) Battery is a type of rechargeable battery. They are also commonly known as sealed batteries or maintenance-free batteries. How are they made? To prevent the build up of the hydrogen gas (which may cause the battery to explode), a vent is used to relieve the pressure.

How does a valve regulated battery work?

A VRLA battery utilizes a one-way, pressure-relief valve system to achieve a “recombinant” technology. This means that the oxygen normally produced on the positive plate is absorbed by the negative plate. Water (H2O) is produced instead, retaining the moisture within the battery.

What is the difference between VRLA and lead acid battery?

The main difference between VRLA or Sealed Lead Acid batteries and Flooded lead batteries is that the electrolyte in the VRLA batteries is immobilized. These batteries are designed so that during charging, oxygen from the positive plates is able to migrate to the negative plates where it is reduced to water.

What makes a battery low maintenance?

The construction of a low maintenance battery is similar to a conventional type, except the change in the grid material from lead-acid antimony alloy to lead-calcium. Since the performance characteristics are based on proven designs, the battery can be used on vehicles as an alternative to the traditional type.

Can be considered a valve regulated lead acid battery?

The name “valve regulated” does not wholly describe the technology. While these batteries are often called sealed lead–acid batteries, they always include a safety pressure relief valve. As opposed to vented (also called flooded) batteries, a VRLA cannot spill its electrolyte if it is inverted.

How long do lead acid batteries last?

Long Service Life Sealed lead acid batteries can have a design life of anywhere from 3 – 5 years all the way up to 12+ years depending on the manufacturing process of the battery.

Which is better maintenance free battery or not?

The most significant benefit of the sealed design is that no service attention is required, other than ensuring the battery is kept clean and fully charged. Maintenance Free batteries tend to lose electrolyte at a much slower rate than Maintainable models, so extended battery life can be expected as a result.

What type of battery is maintenance free?

Unlike flooded rechargeable batteries, sealed rechargeable batteries do not contain a liquid that will spill out if the battery breaks. Instead, sealed rechargeable batteries hold only enough liquid to allow the electrolytes to flow. These types of batteries are also known as maintenance-free batteries.

Which is better lead acid battery or lithium battery?

In most cases, lithium-ion battery technology is superior to lead-acid due to its reliability and efficiency, among other attributes. However, in cases of small off-grid storage systems that aren’t used regularly, less expensive lead-acid battery options can be preferable.

Can wet batteries cause a fire?

When used properly, no. But batteries can present a fire risk when over-charged, short-circuited, submerged in water or if they are damaged. It’s really important to charge them safely too.

What are the advantages of Valve Regulated Lead acid batteries?

Advantages of Valve Regulated Lead Acid Battery VRLA battery is maintenance free and no periodic water refilling is not required. Reduced demand on ventilation. The capacity range of VRLA battery is high (12000 Ah).

What do you call a sealed lead acid battery?

These VRLA batteries are also called sealed lead acid batteries and also recombinant batteries. Oxygen which evolves during discharging at the positive plate of the battery recombine with the hydrogen which evolves at the negative plate of the cell to form water.

How does a lead acid battery generate power?

While in use, the battery generates power by reducing the lead plates, turning them into lead-sulfuric-oxide. This process is reversed once the battery is charged – meaning the lead-sulfuric-oxide is broken down turning it to pure lead and sulfuric acid.

Why do you need a valve in a VRLA battery?

This results in prevention of the water loss and unlike flooded batteries water is not needed to be added periodically. The valve present in VRLA cell acts as a safety valve which opens when the concentration of hydrogen gas inside the battery increases dangerously high.