Frequently Asked Questions
Clear answers to your battery questions.
Find practical information about battery operation, safety, charging, smart battery technology, transportation, compliance, and responsible recycling.
02Safety, Handling & Storage
Safety guidelines, handling instructions and proper storage practices.
05Transportation, Compliance & Recycling
Transport regulations, compliance standards and responsible disposal.
01. Battery
What is battery capacity?
Battery capacity represents the amount of electrical charge a battery can deliver under specified test conditions. It is normally expressed in ampere-hours (Ah) or milliampere-hours (mAh). Actual usable capacity can vary depending on discharge current, operating temperature, equipment
cut-off voltage, battery age and internal resistance
What is self-discharge?
Self-discharge is the gradual loss of stored energy while a battery is not connected to a load. The rate of self-discharge depends on factors including battery chemistry, storage temperature, state of charge and battery age. Higher storage temperatures generally increase self-discharge and can accelerate long-term capacity degradation
What is cycle life?
Cycle life refers to the number of charge-discharge cycles a rechargeable battery can perform before
its usable capacity decreases to a specified end-of-life level.
Cycle life is influenced by:
• Depth of discharge
• Charge and discharge current
• Operating temperature
• Charging method
• Battery chemistry
Operating the battery within its recommended limits helps maximize service life.
What is shelf life?
Shelf life is the period during which a battery can remain in storage without significant deterioration in performance when maintained under recommended conditions.
Storage temperature and storage state of charge are particularly important for rechargeable
batteries.
What is the difference between primary and rechargeable batteries?
Primary batteries are non-rechargeable batteries intended for single-use applications. Examples
include Lithium Manganese Dioxide, Lithium Thionyl Chloride and Lithium Sulphur Dioxide systems.
Secondary batteries are rechargeable and can undergo repeated charge-discharge cycles. Examples include Lithium-ion, Nickel-Metal Hydride and Nickel-Cadmium batteries.
Why can cells within the same battery behave differently?
No two cells are completely identical. Small differences may exist in capacity, impedance, self-discharge, voltage, temperature behaviour and state of charge even between cells of the same model and production batch.
Battery design and battery-management functions help manage these variations during operation.
02. SAFETY, HANDLING & STORAGE
Are lithium-ion batteries safe
Lithium-ion batteries operate safely and reliably when they are properly designed, manufactured, charged and used within their specified operating limits.
SES lithium battery systems incorporate protective electronics that monitor parameters such as voltage, current and temperature. Batteries should always be used with compatible equipment and appropriate charging systems
What basic precautions should I take when using a battery?
To help ensure safe operation:
• Do not short-circuit battery terminals.
• Do not crush, puncture, deform or disassemble the battery.
• Keep the battery away from fire and excessive heat.
• Avoid exposure to water or excessive moisture.
• Do not use batteries showing signs of damage, swelling or leakage.
• Use only compatible equipment and charging systems.
• Follow the applicable product and safety documentation
What should I do if a battery is damaged, swollen, leaking or unusually hot?
Stop using and charging the battery.
Disconnect it from the equipment if this can be done safely and isolate it from combustible materials. Do not puncture, compress or attempt to repair the battery.
Refer to the applicable Safety Data Sheet (SDS) and arrange appropriate handling, inspection or disposal through authorized channels.
What should I check when I receive a battery?
Inspect both the packaging and battery before installation.
Check that:
• The enclosure is not damaged or deformed.
• The battery is not swollen or leaking.
• Connectors and terminals are intact.
• There are no visible signs of impact or abuse.
Retain the original packaging until the battery has been inspected and accepted
How should lithium-ion batteries be stored?
For extended storage, SES recommends controlled storage conditions to reduce self-discharge and
preserve battery performance.
Where applicable:
• Place the battery in shipping or low-power mode.
• Store at approximately 25°C.
• Maintain approximately 30% state of charge (SOC).
• Store in a cool, dry and well-ventilated area.
Under suitable conditions, smart batteries can typically be stored for extended periods, but their condition and state of charge should be checked periodically.
How should I clean an SES battery?
Use a dry or slightly damp soft cloth to remove dust and surface contamination. Water, ethanol and isopropyl alcohol may be suitable for certain routine cleaning operations, depending on the battery construction and label materials. Do not allow liquids to enter electrical connectors or contacts. Avoid aggressive solvents such as petrol, kerosene, acetone, MEK, benzene, paint thinner and similar
chemicals that may damage housings, labels, seals or insulation
What conditions can damage a battery?
The most common damaging conditions include:
• Overcharging
• Excessive discharge
• Excessive temperature
• External short circuit
• Mechanical damage
• Incompatible charging
• Exposure to moisture or corrosive substances
Battery protection circuitry helps reduce certain risks, but the battery must still be operated within its specified conditions.
03. CHARGING
Can I use any charger with an SES lithium battery?
No.
The charger must be compatible with the battery chemistry, voltage, charging current and required charging profile. An incompatible charger may result in improper charging, reduced battery life or safety risks.
Use the charger specified or approved for the battery system wherever possible.
What precautions should I take when charging a battery?
For safe charging:
• Use a compatible charger.
• Verify the charger voltage and current ratings.
• Do not use damaged or modified chargers.
• Provide adequate ventilation.
• Avoid excessive heat and moisture.
• Stop charging if abnormal heating, swelling, leakage or odour occurs
Can I use a DC power supply instead of a battery charger?
A general-purpose DC power supply is intended primarily to provide regulated power to electronic equipment.
A proper battery charger controls charging current and voltage according to the battery’s required charging profile and may also incorporate battery monitoring and safety functions.
A power supply should therefore not be used as a battery charger unless the overall charging system has specifically been designed and validated for that purpose.
What should I do if a battery becomes unusually hot during charging?
Stop charging immediately.
Disconnect the charger if this can be done safely. If the battery also shows swelling, leakage, odour or other abnormal behaviour, do not resume charging until the battery and charging system have been inspected.
Can a battery remain connected to the charger after it is fully charged?
This depends on the charger and battery system.
A charger specifically designed with automatic charge termination or appropriate maintenance functions may safely manage a connected battery after charging is complete.
Batteries should not remain indefinitely connected to an incompatible or uncontrolled charging source.
Can I use the charger built into my equipment?
Yes, provided the host equipment’s charging system is compatible with the battery specifications. The equipment should correctly recognize charge completion and operate within the battery’s permitted charging voltage, current and temperature limits.
If charging behaviour appears abnormal, contact the equipment manufacturer or SES for compatibility review.
Can I use a generic charger?
Generic chargers may not provide the regulation, output filtering, charge-control profile or communication required by a particular battery.
For optimum battery performance, charging reliability and service life, SES recommends using a charger designed or approved for the battery system.
04. SMART BATTERY SYSTEMS
Battery Intelligence Built Into the Pack
Smart batteries combine battery cells with embedded electronics for monitoring, protection, fuel gauging and communication with host equipment and charging systems
What is a smart battery?
A smart battery is a battery pack containing embedded electronics capable of monitoring battery operating parameters and communicating information to an external host system or charger.
A typical smart battery may include:
• Battery Management System (BMS)
• Fuel-gauge integrated circuit
• Temperature sensors
• Protection circuitry
• SMBus or I²C communication interface
What information can a smart battery communicate?
Depending on the battery design, a smart battery can provide information such as:
• State of charge (SOC)
• Remaining capacity
• Battery voltage
• Battery current
• Temperature
• Charging status
• Cycle count
• Estimated runtime
• Battery status information
This enables the host equipment to make more informed power-management decisions.
How does a smart battery determine state of charge?
Lithium-ion battery voltage alone does not provide an accurate indication of remaining capacity. Smart battery fuel-gauge algorithms may combine techniques such as:
• Coulomb counting
• Open-circuit voltage correlation
• Temperature compensation
• Impedance tracking
• Battery modelling
These techniques provide a more accurate estimate of remaining charge
Can battery voltage alone tell me how much charge remains?
Not accurately.
Lithium-ion battery voltage changes depending on whether the battery is charging, discharging or at rest. In addition, much of the lithium-ion discharge curve is relatively flat. A fuel-gauge system provides a more reliable estimate of state of charge and remaining capacity
What is SMBus in a smart battery system?
SMBus, or System Management Bus, is a communication protocol commonly used to exchange information between a smart battery, host equipment and charger.
It can allow the system to access information such as capacity, voltage, current, temperature and battery-status data
What is the difference between SMBus and I²C?
SMBus and I²C are closely related two-wire serial communication protocols.
SMBus is based on the I²C concept but defines additional electrical and protocol requirements used for system-management applications, including smart battery systems.
Depending on implementation, SMBus may include features such as defined command structures, timeouts and Packet Error Checking.
Does a smart battery need to communicate with the host equipment?
Not always.
Depending on its design, a smart battery may still be able to deliver power without active communication.
Communication allows the host equipment to access information such as:
• State of charge
• Remaining capacity
• Estimated runtime
• Battery status
• Battery health information
This supports more intelligent system-level power management.
Does a smart charger communicate with the battery?
Smart charging systems can communicate with the battery to obtain charging requirements and operating information.
The battery may provide information such as:
• Recommended charging current
• Charging voltage
• Battery temperature
• Charging status
The charger can then regulate its output accordingly.
Can multiple smart batteries operate in one system?
Yes, but the communication architecture must be designed accordingly.
Many smart batteries may use the same SMBus address. If several batteries share one communication bus, the system may require:
• A bus multiplexer
• Battery-selection circuitry
• Separate communication channels
This allows the host to communicate independently with each battery
What is Packet Error Checking (PEC)?
Packet Error Checking is an error-detection function used in SMBus communication.
PEC adds an additional checking byte to supported data transactions so that the receiving device can detect corrupted communication data.
It can be particularly useful in electrically noisy environments.
What is shipping mode?
Shipping mode is a low-power operating state used to reduce internal battery power consumption during transportation and long-term storage.
Depending on the battery design:
• Battery output may be disabled.
• Internal electronics operate at reduced power.
• Communication may be inactive.
The battery is normally returned to active operation when connected to the appropriate equipment or charger.
What is the System Present function?
System Present is a control signal used in some smart battery systems to identify whether the battery is installed in the host equipment.
Depending on the battery design, detection of the System Present signal may:
• Enable the battery output
• Activate SMBus communication
• Permit normal charging and discharging
The exact implementation depends on the battery and host-system interface.
What is battery calibration or conditioning?
Over time, small differences may develop between the fuel-gauge estimate and the battery’s actual usable capacity.
A calibration cycle may involve:
1. Fully charging the battery
2. Allowing it to rest
3. Discharging it under controlled conditions
4. Recharging it fully
Many modern fuel-gauge systems also update their internal battery models automatically during normal use.
How does a smart charger optimally charge a smart battery?
In a smart charging system, the battery can communicate required charging parameters to the charger.
These may include requested charging current and charging voltage. The parameters can change depending on conditions such as temperature and battery operating state.
The charger then regulates its output according to these requirements.
Do SES smart batteries support temperature-dependent charging?
SES smart battery systems may use temperature-dependent charging profiles to adjust charging current and voltage according to battery temperature.
Where implemented, this helps maintain safe charging conditions while supporting battery performance and service life
What is the difference between Level 2 and Level 3 smart chargers? Level 2 Smart Charger
Level 2 Smart Charger
A Level 2 charger operates as an SMBus slave. The battery communicates the charging voltage and
charging current it requires, and the charger adjusts its output accordingly.
Level 3 Smart Charger
A Level 3 charger can operate as an SMBus master and actively request battery information. This
allows more advanced system-level charging strategies while still respecting the battery’s permitted
charging limits.
05. TRANSPORTATION, COMPLIANCE & RECYCLING
Are lithium batteries regulated for transportation?
Yes.
Lithium batteries are subject to transportation requirements covering testing, classification, packaging, marking, labelling and documentation.
Depending on transport mode, applicable requirements may include:
• UN 38.3
• IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations for air transport
• IMDG Code for sea transport
• ADR requirements for road transport in applicable regions
What safety and regulatory standards may apply to rechargeable batteries?
Applicable requirements depend on battery chemistry, product type, application and destination market.
Common requirements may include:
• IEC 62133
• UN 38.3
• Applicable UL standards
• Market-specific regulatory requirements
The exact certification requirements should always be determined for the specific battery and intended application.
Are rechargeable batteries regulated in India?
Yes.
Certain rechargeable cells and batteries used in portable applications may fall under the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) Compulsory Registration Scheme.
Standards referenced in SES documentation include:
• IS 16046-2 — Lithium-ion cells and batteries
• IS 16046-1 — Nickel-Cadmium and Nickel-Metal Hydride systems
Applicability depends on the product and regulatory scope.
Do SES batteries comply with regulatory requirements?
SES evaluates applicable regulatory and safety requirements according to the battery configuration, application and destination market.
Depending on the product, compliance or certification may include:
• BIS registration
• CE conformity
• RoHS compliance
• Applicable NRTL certification
• Transport-related documentation and testing
Product-specific compliance documents may be provided where applicable.
Where can I obtain battery safety documentation?
Safety Data Sheets (SDS/MSDS) and applicable compliance information can be obtained through SES or may be supplied with the relevant product documentation.
For product-specific requirements, contact SES with the battery model or application details.
Can batteries be disposed of with regular waste?
No.
Lithium and other rechargeable batteries should not be disposed of with household or general industrial waste.
They should be handled through authorized battery-recycling or waste-management channels in accordance with local regulations
How should used batteries be handled before recycling?
Before sending batteries for recycling:
• Protect terminals against short circuits.
• Store them in a cool, dry and ventilated location.
• Do not crush, puncture or expose them to heat or fire.
• Isolate damaged batteries from other materials.
• Follow applicable local handling and transportation requirements.
Why is battery recycling important?
Battery recycling allows valuable materials such as lithium, nickel, cobalt, copper and aluminium to be recovered and reused.
Responsible recycling also reduces environmental impact and prevents battery materials from entering uncontrolled waste streams.
Where should used batteries be recycled?
Used batteries should be sent to authorized recycling facilities, certified waste-management providers or approved collection programs.
Businesses and equipment manufacturers should use recognized recycling channels that comply with applicable environmental regulations.
How should electronic equipment containing batteries be disposed of?
End-of-life electrical and electronic equipment should be collected separately from ordinary waste and processed through authorized recycling systems.
Where applicable, requirements governing Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) may require separate collection and environmentally responsible treatment.
How should SES packaging materials be disposed of?
Packaging may include cardboard, plastic films, cushioning materials and wooden crates.
Where possible, packaging should be reused. Otherwise, separate materials by type and dispose of them through suitable recycling or authorized waste-collection systems.
Need an answer specific to your application ?
Battery behaviour, charging compatibility and system integration can depend on the battery configuration, charger, equipment and operating environment.
Our engineering team can help review your application and recommend the appropriate battery or charging approach.
Need help with a specific question?
Our battery experts are ready to assist you with application-specific guidance.
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