02 july 2024

Li-Ion batteries for the telecommunications sector

The variety of battery and backup technologies available on the market allows telecommunications companies to select the optimal solutions depending on their individual needs and requirements for the reliability and efficiency of communication systems. The 1AK-GROUP holding offers both standard and customized energy storage solutions for the telecommunications sector. We talk about an individual approach to replacing batteries for telecommunications equipment.

Power backup plays a key role in ensuring uninterrupted operation of telecommunications networks, especially during power outages.

Lead-acid batteries, although they have some limitations compared to lithium-ion batteries, are still widely used in the telecommunications sector due to their reliability and low running costs. However, lithium-ion batteries offer higher energy density, longer life and lighter weight, making them an attractive choice for some applications.

It is important to choose the right batteries, taking into account factors such as dimensions, operating temperatures, reliability and safety. Criteria such as compatibility with telecommunications infrastructure and robustness to operating conditions play a critical role in providing efficient power backup.

The leader of the telecommunications sector of the Republic of Belarus has set the task of replacing lead-acid batteries with LI-Ion in its telecommunications equipment. The need for such a replacement is due to the need to increase the service life and reduce the weight and size indicators of the battery. The technical specifications contained the following requirements:
— to the dimensions of the case;
— tension;
— battery capacity;
— service life;
— availability of additional options for monitoring the condition of the battery.

In this case, new LI-ION batteries must be installed in their original place, without additional modifications to the existing system.

After analyzing the technical specifications, the R&D center 1AK-GROUP proposed a ZUBR LFR 48V 100Ah (15S1P) battery with the chemical formula LiFePO4 to solve the problems.

Figure — Sketch of a battery, developed according to the customer’s technical specifications

Li-Ion production engineers from the 1AK-GROUP direction developed the battery design according to the customer’s technical specifications. In addition, the height of the case was reduced by another 35%.

The R&D center developed a 3D model of the battery, drawings, assembly diagrams and testing protocols. The batteries were also assembled at the production facilities of 1AK-GROUP.

Figure — 3D model of battery ZUBR LFR48V100Ah

The technical characteristics of the ZUBR LFR battery are presented in the Table.

Table — Technical characteristics of ZUBR LFR

Additionally, the batteries were equipped with:
— Bluetooth connection system for uploading operation logs and monitoring battery status from a smartphone;
— an active balancing system to increase service life and reduce the spread of parameters across cells;
— dry contact for remote monitoring of battery status by customer systems.

The estimated service life of such a battery in buffer mode is 15 years or at least 3,500 charge-discharge cycles. Warranty period — 36 months.

If the battery fails during the warranty period, an additional backup battery is provided for replacement during repairs as a spare part. The ZUBR LFR battery requires virtually no maintenance during operation.

To date, 25 batteries have been produced and fully supplied to the customer for installation on equipment.

The 1AK-GROUP holding, a Belarusian manufacturer of batteries, has been developing the li-ion direction since 2022, assembling industrial li-ion batteries. The holding has created a center for scientific and technical expertise, which allows the development of individual solutions in the field of energy storage. The company’s specialists have the appropriate qualifications to service the supplied equipment in accordance with the Interindustry Rules for Labor Safety when Working in Electrical Installations and TKP 181-2009(02230), Rules for the Technical Operation of Consumer Electrical Installations. 1AK-GROUP is authorized to carry out technical and service maintenance of batteries, which ensures speed and quality of service.