Renata SA Encapsulated Batteries (Power Modules) - General Technical Information - Manual (Page 3)

3V Lithium Batteries
General Technical Information on Lithium Batteries
(cont.)
Inverse Current
Lithium primary batteries are not rechargeable. Therefore, if there is a possibility of electric current flowing
from the main power source to the battery, the circuit must include two suitable blocking diodes in series or
one blocking diode and one protective resistor in series. Use a silicium diode of small inverse current to
prevent charging. The total amount of re-charge energy due to leakage by the blocking diodes should not
exceed 1% of the battery's nominal capacity during its total service life. A higher input of re-charge energy
may harm the battery or reduce its performance.
Example: A CR2450N battery with a nominal capacity of 540 mAh is expected to supply power for 5 years.
The amount of tolerable re-charge energy is 5.4 mAh, corresponding to an inverse current of 0.1 µA for the
total service life. Consequently, a blocking diode with an inverse current not greater than 0.1 µA should be
selected. Please note that the inverse current of blocking diodes varies with temperature.
Short Circuits
When lithium batteries are short circuited, it takes time for the battery voltage to recover, even in case of
slight short circuits. If electrical characteristics are measured while the battery is recovering, the battery
may appear to be defective, but is not. Short circuiting leads to deterioration of the cell capacity. Short
circuiting of batteries must therefore be avoided, except for wave or dip soldering. Use an instrument with
a high input impedance (minimum 10 MΩ) for measuring open circuit voltage.
Superior Environmental Resistance
The combination of RENATA's sealing system and the use of organic electrolytes with low creeping
tendency ensure the excellent leakage resistance of our batteries. Each production lot is subjected to a
quality assurance program under difficult environmental conditions (high temperature storage, high
temperature/high humidity storage, temperature cycling, etc.). RENATA batteries can be operated in any
physical position.
Rev. 10/02
Renata SA Tel. +41 (0)61 975 75 75 [email protected]
CH-4452 Itingen/Switzerland Fax. +41 (0)61 975 75 95 www.renata.com