Not all Lithium batteries are equal
A GUIDE
In our quest to find more efficient and eco-friendly power storage solutions, popularity is growing for lithium. Known for its energy dense, high-cost applications like mobile phones and laptops, lithium batteries are now used for most emergency lights in Australian.
Lighter, more energy dense and versatile, lithium is better for the environment and has a longer lifetime. Yet not all chemistries are created equal.
Let’s explore the main players in the lithium battery market, comparing them on performance, environmental impact and safety.
Lithium Cobalt Oxide – LCO
The popular choice for mobile phones, laptops and digital cameras, this battery consists of cobalt oxide cathode and a graphite carbon anode – a technology that provides a lot of energy storage for its size, weight and cost. The main drawback of this chemistry is its relatively short lifespan, low thermal stability, and limited load capacities.*
For a stationary application like emergency lighting, the concern with LCO batteries is a) failure in the charge protection circuit, or b) bad environmental conditions like over-temperature, physical damage, or short circuit, can cause violent combustion. Certainly not an ideal situation for a fixture mounted to an inaccessible roof.
Lithium Manganese Oxide – LMO
First commercialised in 1996 this technology combines Li-ion with lithium magnesium oxide as cathode material, improving the ion flow on the electrode and resulting in lower internal resistance and improved handling. Because of their longer life span (up to 10 years) these were widely used in fire and smoke alarms and other security and emergency devices. When used in stationary applications LMO batteries still require sophisticated battery and charge management for safe operation.
Nickel Cadmium (Ni-Cd)
These cells were once widely used for portable power tools, photography equipment, flashlights and emergency lighting. The downside is they often suffer from a ‘memory effect’, remembering the point in their charge cycle where recharging began. Over time, capacity will drop at the point where it had been discharged, making them unsuitable for use in emergencies.*
Lithium Iron Phosphate – (LiFeP04)
LiFePO4, or Lithium Iron Phosphate batteries aren’t exactly the new kid on the battery block, but reduced production costs have slowly seen them pick up traction in commercial applications. Standing apart from their other Lithium-ion cousins, they tick the box for versatility, lifespan, inherent safety and, critical for use in emergency lighting, their resistance to higher temperatures.
The Emergency Lighting battery choice
In a nutshell LifePO4 batteries are the right choice for Emergency Lighting applications. While there are limitations, the positives far outweigh the negatives, boasting higher energy efficiency, lower self-discharge and higher temperature tolerance. LifePO4 batteries are lightweight and versatile, have a longer lifespan and improved safety. They also contain fewer rare earth elements, meaning less conflict and sourcing issues, and environmental impact on disposal.
Ektor chooses LiFeP04 batteries.
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