2. System Voltage And Current Monitoring

Several different voltages inside a battery system need to be measured. The exact number of voltages is dependent on the system topology and the configuration of the battery system.

Fig. 2.3 shows the voltages that need to measured in a multi-string system, here for example for a 3-string system.

The left side of the image shows the Battery Pack. The Battery Junction Box is depicted in the center of the figure with an indicated connected application shown on the right side the of the picture.

Voltages and currents to be measured in a multi-string system

Fig. 2.3 Voltages and currents of interest in a multi-string system (click to enlarge)

Table 2.6 Color description

Symbol

Meaning

red

Power path

dotted-red

Second power path (optional)

pink

Communication (e.g., CAN)

green

Contactor control and feedback

purple

Insulation measurement line

blue

Daisy-chain

2.1. Multi-String System

The following section describes important parameters within a multi-string battery pack.

2.1.1. Measurements Inside the Battery Pack

Voltages and currents to be measured in a multi-string system in the pack

Fig. 2.4 Voltages and currents to be measured in a multi-string system inside the battery pack (click to enlarge)

The strings are depicted in ascending order from right to left starting with string 1 (S1) until left-most string m (Sm). Each string consists of n modules, where every module has its own BMS-Slave. Each string features a current sensor, a string fuse and one or two string contactors. Thus, the following voltages need to be measured in each string:

  • String voltage, short VSm, where m indicates the number of the string.

  • Fused string voltage, short VFSm, where m indicates the number of the string. It is measured between the lowest module and after the string fuse.

  • Pack voltage, short VPm, where m indicates the number of the string. It is measured between the negative pole of the lowest module and behind the positive string contactor. This voltage is identical for all connected strings and enables measurement validation.

The current sensor additional measures each string current.

Comprehension of measured voltages and current is found in Table 2.7.

Table 2.7 List of measured voltages and current in the pack

Symbol

Reference Name

Description

VSm

StringVoltageM

Voltage of string m

VFSm

FusedStringVoltageM

Voltage after string fuse of string m

VPm

PackVoltageM

Pack voltage

ISm

StringCurrentM

Current in string m

2.2. Single-String System

A single-string system reduces the amount of required voltage and current measurements. Fig. 2.5 shows the single-string topology.

Voltages and current to be measured in a single-string system

Fig. 2.5 Voltages and current to be measured in a single-string system (click to enlarge)

The list of measurements is therefore reduced to Table 2.8 and no further measurements inside the string are required.

Table 2.8 List of measurements in single-string system

Symbol

Reference Name

Description

VP

PackVoltage

Pack voltage

VFP

FusedPackVoltage

voltage after main fuse

VSV

SystemVoltage

System voltage

VSV2

SystemVoltage2

System voltage: second power path

IP

PackCurrent

Pack current

2.3. Measurements Inside the Battery Junction Box

Voltages to be measured in a multi string system in the BJB

Fig. 2.6 Voltages to be measured in a multi-string system in the BJB (click to enlarge)

  • The pack voltage is measured before the main fuse.

  • The fused pack voltage is measured after the main fuse.

  • The system voltage is measured after the contactors.

  • optional: If the system uses a second power path, the second power path voltage is measured after the contactors of the second power path.

Comprehension of measured voltages and current in the battery junction box:

Table 2.9 List of measurements in multi-string system

Symbol

Reference Name

Description

VP

PackVoltage

Pack voltage

VFP

FusedPackVoltage

voltage after main fuse

VSV

SystemVoltage

System voltage

VSV2

SystemVoltage2

System voltage: second power path

IP

PackCurrent

Pack current