Getting to know batteries: Our starter guide for IoT developers
All about batteries - November 28, 2023
Choosing the right battery for your device is a crucial part of the design process, and it helps to know how to get the most out of your batteries when in the field.
Here we’ve collated some of our handy Energizing IoT articles that explore some of the key elements of selecting the right battery, integrating it into your device, and maximising its lifespan when deployed.
Choosing the right battery for your IoT device
There’s a lot to think about when choosing the right battery for an IoT-connected device.
Wireless connected objects tend to require light and compact batteries with very high energy density and high voltage, which is why lithium batteries are best suited to IoT devices.
But what is the right lithium battery for your device?
Read our summary on how to go about choosing the right one for you.
Batteries come in various shapes and chemistries, with different benefits to each. One way of finding out if a battery matches your application’s profile is to review the datasheet against your design requirements – but how do you read these technical documents?
Designing an IoT application involves a lot of choices. You’re looking for performance and quality, but balancing that alongside a low Total Cost of Ownership (TCO).
When it comes to your battery choice, it’s no different. And while price doesn’t always indicate quality, there are times when it can be a useful guide.
So, what’s behind the price of a battery? What are the elements that make a difference in a battery, and how do these elements impact the success of your project, the customer’s return on investment (ROI), and the satisfaction of the end user?
Read more on how to find value for money with your IoT battery
Integrating batteries into your smart application
Just as there is no ‘one cell fits all’ solution to selecting the right battery, there is no universal solution to how you go about connecting a cell to a device.
The best means of connecting the cell to your device depends on a number of considerations – and finding the right connection for your application often comes down to planning.
Commit time in the early design process to consider the right battery, and then the right battery connection, as it will help with your product design and cost of total ownership (CTO).
https://www.saft.com/energizing-iot/integrating-batteries-your-smart-application
Some look to battery holders. They can be highly beneficial to some devices, particular in consumer applications (e.g., remote controls) where batteries can be replaced with ease. But there are drawbacks to relying on battery holders.
https://www.saft.com/energizing-iot/battery-holders-what-you-need-know
Getting the most out of your batteries
Developing a quality product matters. That’s why developers of IoT devices are meticulous in making sure the components of their products are as expected.
Once your batteries have arrived for use in your prototype application, you’ll want to check to see if they perform to the level required.
Here we explain how you can properly inspect your primary batteries to make sure they do just that.
Passivation is a surface protecting reaction which occurs spontaneously in all lithium batteries based on a liquid cathode, and it plays a major role in many of the beneficial characteristics that make lithium batteries a favorite choice for building smart devices. However, when not well managed, passivation can adversely affect the operation of the application.
Our application engineers see some common ‘passivation pitfalls’ when receiving new application design submissions – and the good news is they can be avoided.
Read more on how to avoid these mistakes.
Charging your lithium-ion batteries: top tips for a longer lifespan
There’s a lot that can determine the longevity of rechargeable batteries. It can be affected by the way the battery is charged and discharged, the operating temperatures, and more.
That’s particularly true of industrial grade lithium-ion batteries. These cells possess high energy density and can operate under extreme temperatures for a long life – but there are key things to consider if you want to optimize their lifespan.
Read our five top tips and delve a little deeper into ‘why’ and ‘how’ each is important.
