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Battery Management System

What is a Battery Management System?

A Battery Management System (BMS) is an electronic control circuit that monitors and manages rechargeable battery packs to ensure safe and optimal operation. It tracks critical parameters like voltage, current, temperature, and state of charge for individual cells or cell groups within the battery pack. The BMS protects against dangerous conditions such as overcharging, over-discharging, overcurrent, and overheating by controlling charging/discharging processes and providing cell balancing. It is essential for lithium-ion batteries and other advanced battery chemistries used in electric vehicles, energy storage systems, and portable electronics.

Related Terms

Battery Protection Circuit

A battery protection circuit is an electronic safety system that monitors and controls battery charging and discharging to prevent damage or hazardous conditions. It protects against overcharging, over-discharging, overcurrent, short circuits, and temperature extremes by automatically disconnecting the battery when dangerous conditions are detected. These circuits are commonly integrated into rechargeable battery packs, especially lithium-ion batteries, to ensure safe operation and extend battery life. They typically use MOSFETs as switches and dedicated protection ICs to monitor voltage, current, and temperature parameters.