Practical Engineering Insights from Rapid Tips to In-Depth Technical Deep-Dives
Explore our Tech Notes library for practical field tips and detailed technical walkthroughs straight from Eagle Eye Power Solutions technicians working on real-world battery and power projects.
For product-specific documentation such as data sheets and manuals, please see our Products section.
Battery Maintenance · Contingency Planning · Temperature
Is Your Utility Substation DC System Prepared for Extreme Summer Weather?
Key Takeaways:
- Heat stress = hidden battery killer. Every 10 °C rise above 25 °C cuts lead-acid service life in half, making proactive checks vital before heatwaves.
- Five-step summer prep list. Covers electrolyte level, float-voltage verification, cabinet airflow, and infrared scans to catch hot spots early.
- Load-bank test timing. Explains why a 100% discharge in May–June gives you the widest margin before peak demand.
- Cooling hacks. Field-tested tips for adding vent kits and thermal barriers without shutting down the string.
- Compliance tie-in. Aligns each inspection step with NERC PRC-005 maintenance intervals and IEEE-450 best practices.
Implementing this checklist reduces mid-summer battery alarms.
Compliance · Hydrogen Safety · Ventilation
Battery Room Ventilation Requirements
Key Takeaways:
- Know the threshold. OSHA & NFPA 2 set the action level at 4% hydrogen by volume (LEL); effective systems aim for ≤ 1%.
- Sizing formula made simple. Provides step-by-step airflow calculation using battery charging current, room volume, and ceiling height.
- Sensor placement matters. Explains why H₂ detectors belong at the ceiling high-point near exhaust fans, not at working level.
- Compliance snapshot. Explanations link CFR 29 §1910.178, IEEE 1635, and NERC PRC-005 maintenance intervals.
Proper ventilation cuts hydrogen alarm events.
Lead-Acid · Power Quality · Ripple Current
Lead-Acid Batteries and Ripple Voltage and Current. Is There a Problem?
Key Takeaways:
- Ripple defined. Explains AC “noise” on a DC bus—where it comes from and how it stresses lead-acid plates.
- Failure mechanisms. Shows how sustained ripple accelerates grid corrosion, stratification, and thermal runaway.
- Acceptable limits. Summarizes IEEE-484 & Telcordia specs: ≤ 5% peak-to-peak voltage or ≤ 10% of rated charging current.
- Measurement tips. Recommends oscilloscope vs. RMS meter, probe placement, and sampling intervals for accurate readings.
- Mitigation guide. Covers transformer-isolated chargers, LC filters, and how to size ripple-current fuses.
Reducing ripple from 12% to 3% can double service life on a 48 V string.
by David Neubert
Battery Maintenance, Contingency Planning, Temperature
by Allen Byrne
Battery Maintenance, DC Power Compliance, Lead-Acid
by Allen Byrne
Battery Inspection, Battery Maintenance, Procedure
by Allen Byrne
Battery Maintenance, Chargers, Proper Charging
by Allen Byrne
Best Practices, DC Power Compliance
by Allen Byrne
Codes & Standards, Lead-Acid
by Allen Byrne
Battery Maintenance, Lead-Acid, Temperature
by David Neubert
Battery Monitoring, Compliance, NERC PRC-005-6
by Allen Byrne
Chargers, Lead-Acid, Proper Charging
by Allen Byrne
Chargers, Power Quality, Reliability
by Allen Byrne
Lead-Acid, Lead-Calcium Batteries, Service Life
by George Pedersen
Battery Monitoring, Load Testing, Reliability
by Allen Byrne
Battery Maintenance, Battery Monitoring, Best Practices
by Allen Byrne
Battery Maintenance, Best Practices, Service Life
by Allen Byrne
Lead-Acid, Power Quality, Ripple Current
by George Pedersen
Battery Monitoring, Documentation, Testing
by George Pedersen
DC Power Compliance, NERC PRC-005-6, Proper Charging
by Allen Byrne
Codes & Standards, Compliance, Flooded Batteries
by Allen Byrne
Codes & Standards, Documentation, IEEE Standard 1188-2005, Testing
by David Neubert
Compliance, DC Power Compliance, NERC TPL-001-5
by Allen Byrne
Battery Maintenance, Lead-Acid, VRLA Myths
by George Pedersen
Documentation, Risk Reduction, ROI
by Allen Byrne
Codes & Standards, Compliance, VRLA Myths
by Allen Byrne
Compliance, Hydrogen Safety, Ventilation
by Nigel Scott
Battery Maintenance, Procedure, Testing
by Allen Byrne
Battery Maintenance, Best Practices, Service Life
by Allen Byrne
Battery Monitoring, Reliability, Remote Power