Ultima NiCd battery

Technical Manual
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Contents

1. Introduction 1
2. Battery applications 2
3. Ultima range and performances 3
4. Principles of oxygen recombination cycle 6
5. Construction features of the Ultima battery 8
5.1 Plate assembly 8
5.2 Separation 9
5.3 Electrolyte 9
5.4 Terminal pillars 9
5.5 Venting system 9
5.6 Cell container 9
6. Benefits of the Ultima battery 10
7. Operating features 11
7.1 Capacity 11
7.2 Cell voltage 11
7.3 Internal resistance 11
7.4 Effect of temperature on performance 12
7.5 Short circuit values 12
7.6 Open circuit loss 13
7.7 Cycling 13
7.8 Water consumption 13
7.9 Gas evolution 14
8. Battery charging 15
8.1 Charging methods 15
8.2 Charge acceptance 16
8.3 Temperature effects 17
8.4 Commissioning requirements 19
8.4.1 Batteries filled and charged
8.4.2 Batteries filled and discharged
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9. Special operating factors 20

9.1 Electrical abuse 20
9.1.1 Ripple effects
9.1.2 Over-discharge
9.1.3 Overcharge

9.2 Mechanical abuse 20

9.2.1 Shock loads
9.2.2 Vibration resistance
9.2.3 External corrosion

10. Battery sizing principles 21

11. Installation and storage 22
11.1 Emplacement 22
11.2 Ventilation 23
11.3 Electrical 23
12. Maintenance of Ultima batteries in service 24
13. Refurbishment of Ultima batteries 25
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1. Introduction

The nickel cadmium battery is the This publication details the design
most reliable battery system and operating characteristics of the
available in the market today. Saft Nife Ultima battery to enable a
Its unique features enable it to be successful battery system to be
used in applications and achieved. A battery which in normal
environments untenable for other applications requires no topping up
widely available battery systems. but has all the well proven
With the advent of the valve advantages of the nickel cadmium
regulated lead acid battery a new pocket plate battery.
concept was available to the
customer, a battery that did not
require water replenishment.
However, this was obtained at the
cost of reliability. To give the
customer a highly reliable battery
of zero or ultra low maintenance
Saft have developed the Ultima
recombination pocket plate battery.

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2. Battery applications

Ultima batteries are designed to ● Offshore oil and gas

meet the needs of applications ● Fire and security systems
requiring the traditional high ● Process control
reliability of nickel cadmium pocket
● Telecommunications
plate cells without the need to top up
with water. They are indeed the best ● Mass transit
solution for installations, whether ● Emergency lighting
they are UPS systems, emergency ● Railway signaling
lighting systems, telecommunications,
● Switchgear
where the risk of failure of the
system is unacceptable. Ultima ● Photovoltaics
batteries are also eminently suitable ● UPS
for “remote” applications such as
photovoltaic systems, offshore
applications and switching
substations, where the system must
have total reliability without the need
for battery maintenance.

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3. Ultima battery range and

performances

Voltage Fully charged Dimensions (mm) Weight Cell Electrolyte

rated capacity connection bolt reserve
(V) C5 Ah L W H (kg) per pole cm3/cell

SLM 8-5 6 8 162 123 270 6.8 M5 48

SLM 8-10 12 8 308 123 270 13.3 M5 48
SLM 16-5 6 16 162 123 270 7.6 M5 95
SLM 16-10 12 16 308 123 270 14.8 M5 95
SLM 24-5 6 24 187 123 270 9.0 M5 145
SLM 24-10 12 24 358 123 270 17.8 M5 145

SLM 32-4 4.8 32 201 123 270 10.0 M5 190

SLM 32-5 6 32 247 123 270 12.4 M5 190
SLM 32-6 7.2 32 293 123 270 14.8 M5 190
SLM 40-4 4.8 40 249 123 270 12.3 M5 240
SLM 40-5 6 40 307 123 270 15.3 M5 240
SLM 40-6 7.2 40 365 123 270 18.3 M5 240
SLM 48-4 4.8 48 249 123 270 13.7 M5 290
SLM 48-5 6 48 307 123 270 17.0 M5 290
SLM 48-6 7.2 48 365 123 270 20.3 M5 290

SLM 71-2 2.4 71 97 195 406 10.2 M8 425

SLM 71-3 3.6 71 133 195 406 14.6 M8 425
SLM 95-2 2.4 95 112 195 406 13.3 M8 570
SLM 95-3 3.6 95 155 195 406 19.4 M8 570
SLM 119-2 2.4 119 133 195 406 15.8 M10 715
SLM 119-3 3.6 119 187 195 406 23.2 M10 715
SLM 142-2 2.4 142 145 195 406 18.5 M10 850
SLM 142-3 3.6 142 205 195 406 27.0 M10 850
SLM 166-2 2.4 166 184 195 406 22.8 2 x M8 995
SLM 166-3 3.6 166 263 195 406 33.6 2 x M8 995
SLM 190-2 2.4 190 198 195 406 25.5 2 x M8 1140
SLM 190-3 3.6 190 284 195 406 37.7 2 x M8 1140
SLM 238-2 2.4 238 241 195 406 30.5 2 x M10 1430
SLM 238-3 3.6 238 349 195 406 45.3 2 x M10 1430
SLM 285-2 2.4 285 265 195 406 33.6 2 x M10 1710
SLM 285-3 3.6 285 385 195 406 49.9 2 x M10 1710
SLM 357-1 1.2 357 187 195 406 23.2 3 x M10 2140
SLM 357-2 2.4 357 349 195 406 45.0 3 x M10 2140
SLM 426-1 1.2 426 205 195 406 27.0 3 x M10 2555
SLM 476-1 1.2 476 241 195 406 30.2 4 x M10 2855

W L

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Tabular Discharge Data

Discharge data is for cells after floating at 1.42 Volts and allowing for voltage losses associated with connectors.

Available amperes at 20°C (68°F) fully charged End voltage - 1.00 V/cell

Cell C5 Hours Minutes Seconds

type Ah 10 8 5 3 2 90 60 45 30 10 5 60 30 10 1

SLM 8 8 0.8 1.0 1.6 2.6 3.8 4.7 6.1 6.9 8.0 10.9 12.2 16.2 17.9 21.1 25.5
SLM 16 16 1.6 2.0 3.2 5.1 7.6 9.4 12.2 13.8 16.0 21.8 24.5 32.3 35.7 42.2 51.0
SLM 24 24 2.4 3.0 4.8 7.7 11.3 14.1 18.4 20.7 24.0 32.6 36.7 48.5 53.6 63.2 76.5
SLM 32 32 3.2 4.0 6.4 10.3 15.1 18.8 24.5 27.5 32.0 43.5 49.0 64.6 71.4 84.3 102
SLM 40 40 4.0 5.1 8.0 12.8 18.9 23.5 30.6 34.4 40.0 54.4 61.2 80.8 89.3 105 128
SLM 48 48 4.9 6.1 9.6 15.4 22.7 28.2 36.7 41.3 47.9 65.3 73.4 96.9 107 126 153
SLM 71 71 7.2 9.0 14.2 22.8 33.9 41.8 54.3 61.4 70.8 94.0 100.3 123 134 153 179
SLM 95 95 9.7 12.0 19.0 30.5 45.3 55.9 72.6 82.2 94.7 126 134 165 180 205 239
SLM 119 119 12.1 15.0 23.8 38.2 56.8 70.0 91.0 103 119 157 168 207 225 256 299
SLM 142 142 14.5 17.9 28.4 45.6 67.8 83.5 109 123 142 188 201 247 269 306 357
SLM 166 166 16.9 21.0 33.2 53.3 79.2 97.6 127 144 165 220 235 288 314 358 417
SLM 190 190 19.4 24.0 37.9 61.0 90.7 112 145 164 189 251 268 330 359 409 478
SLM 238 238 24.3 30.0 47.5 76.4 114 140 182 206 237 315 336 413 450 513 598
SLM 285 285 29.1 36.0 56.9 91.5 136 168 218 247 284 377 403 495 539 614 717
SLM 357 357 36.3 45.0 71.4 115 170 210 273 309 357 471 504 621 675 768 897
SLM 426 426 43.5 53.7 85.2 137 203 251 327 369 426 564 603 741 807 918 1071
SLM 476 476 48.6 60.0 95.0 153 228 280 364 412 474 630 672 826 900 1026 1196

Available amperes at 20°C (68°F) fully charged End voltage - 1.05 V/cell

Cell C5 Hours Minutes Seconds

type Ah 10 8 5 3 2 90 60 45 30 10 5 60 30 10 1

SLM 8 8 0.8 1.0 1.6 2.5 3.5 4.3 5.4 5.9 6.5 8.5 9.9 13.3 15.0 17.5 22.1
SLM 16 16 1.6 2.0 3.2 5.1 7.1 8.7 10.9 11.8 12.9 17.0 19.7 26.5 29.9 35.0 44.2
SLM 24 24 2.4 3.0 4.7 7.6 10.6 13.0 16.3 17.7 19.4 25.5 29.6 39.8 44.9 52.5 66.3
SLM 32 32 3.2 4.0 6.3 10.1 14.2 17.3 21.8 23.7 25.8 34.0 39.4 53.0 59.8 70.0 88.4
SLM 40 40 4.1 5.0 7.9 12.7 17.7 21.7 27.2 29.6 32.3 42.5 49.3 66.3 74.8 87.6 111
SLM 48 48 4.9 6.0 9.5 15.2 21.2 26.0 32.6 35.5 38.8 51.0 59.2 79.6 89.8 105 133
SLM 71 71 7.2 8.9 14.1 22.8 32.6 38.3 46.3 51.6 59.6 74.8 83.3 106 114 128 149
SLM 95 95 9.6 11.9 18.9 30.5 43.6 51.2 61.9 69.1 79.8 100 111 142 152 171 199
SLM 119 119 12.0 14.9 23.6 38.2 54.6 64.2 77.6 86.5 100 125 140 178 191 214 249
SLM 142 142 14.3 17.7 28.2 45.6 65.1 76.6 92.6 103 119 150 167 213 228 255 298
SLM 166 166 16.7 20.7 33.0 53.3 76.1 89.5 108 121 139 175 195 248 266 298 348
SLM 190 190 19.2 23.7 37.7 61.0 87.1 102 124 138 160 200 223 284 305 341 398
SLM 238 238 24.0 29.7 47.2 76.4 109 128 155 173 200 251 279 356 382 427 499
SLM 285 285 28.7 35.6 56.6 91.5 131 154 186 207 239 300 334 426 457 512 597
SLM 357 357 36.0 44.7 70.8 115 164 193 233 260 300 375 420 534 573 642 747
SLM 426 426 42.9 53.1 84.6 137 195 230 278 309 357 450 501 639 684 765 894
SLM 476 476 48.0 59.4 94.4 153 218 256 310 346 400 502 558 712 764 854 998

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Available amperes at 20°C (68°F) fully charged End voltage - 1.10 V/cell

Cell C5 Hours Minutes Seconds

type Ah 10 8 5 3 2 90 60 45 30 10 5 60 30 10 1

SLM 8 8 0.8 1.0 1.6 2.3 3.0 3.5 4.4 4.8 5.3 6.5 7.6 10.5 11.9 14.1 17.9
SLM 16 16 1.6 2.0 3.1 4.6 5.9 7.0 8.8 9.5 10.5 13.0 15.1 21.1 23.8 28.2 35.7
SLM 24 24 2.4 3.0 4.7 6.8 8.9 10.5 13.3 14.3 15.8 19.4 22.7 31.6 35.7 42.3 53.6
SLM 32 32 3.2 4.0 6.2 9.1 11.9 14.0 17.7 19.0 21.1 25.9 30.3 42.2 47.6 56.4 71.4
SLM 40 40 4.0 5.0 7.8 11.4 14.9 17.6 22.1 23.8 26.4 32.4 37.8 52.7 59.5 70.6 89.3
SLM 48 48 4.8 6.0 9.3 13.7 17.8 21.1 26.5 28.6 31.6 38.9 45.4 63.2 71.4 84.7 107
SLM 71 71 7.1 8.8 13.8 22.8 29.0 33.5 39.2 42.7 47.2 58.3 64.6 83.3 92.7 102 111
SLM 95 95 9.5 11.8 18.4 30.5 38.9 44.8 52.4 57.2 63.1 78.0 86.4 111 124 136 149
SLM 119 119 11.9 14.7 23.1 38.2 48.7 56.1 65.6 71.6 79.1 97.7 108 140 155 171 187
SLM 142 142 14.2 17.6 27.5 45.6 58.1 67.0 78.3 85.4 94.3 117 129 167 185 204 223
SLM 166 166 16.6 20.5 32.2 53.3 67.9 78.3 91.6 100 110 136 151 195 217 238 260
SLM 190 190 19.0 23.5 36.9 61.0 77.7 89.6 105 114 126 156 173 223 248 273 298
SLM 238 238 23.8 29.5 46.2 76.4 97.3 112 131 143 158 195 217 279 311 342 373
SLM 285 285 28.5 35.3 55.3 91.5 117 134 157 171 189 234 259 334 372 409 447
SLM 357 357 35.7 44.1 69.3 115 146 168 197 215 237 293 324 420 465 513 561
SLM 426 426 42.6 52.8 82.5 137 174 201 235 256 283 351 387 501 555 612 669
SLM 476 476 47.6 59.0 92.4 153 195 224 262 286 316 390 434 558 622 684 746

Available amperes at 20°C (68°F) fully charged End voltage - 1.14 V/cell

Cell C5 Hours Minutes Seconds

type Ah 10 8 5 3 2 90 60 45 30 10 5 60 30 10 1

SLM 8 8 0.8 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.4 2.7 3.4 3.7 4.1 5.3 6.2 8.3 9.7 11.6 15.1
SLM 16 16 1.6 1.9 3.0 3.9 4.8 5.5 6.7 7.3 8.2 10.5 12.3 16.7 19.4 23.1 30.3
SLM 24 24 2.3 2.9 4.6 5.9 7.2 8.2 10.1 11.0 12.2 15.8 18.5 25.0 29.1 34.7 45.4
SLM 32 32 3.1 3.8 6.1 7.9 9.6 11.0 13.5 14.6 16.3 21.1 24.6 33.3 38.8 46.2 60.5
SLM 40 40 3.9 4.8 7.6 9.9 12.0 13.7 16.8 18.3 20.4 26.4 30.8 41.7 48.5 57.8 75.7
SLM 48 48 4.7 5.7 9.1 11.8 14.4 16.5 20.2 21.9 24.5 31.6 36.9 50.0 58.1 69.4 90.8
SLM 71 71 6.9 8.5 13.5 18.5 22.0 23.7 27.1 28.5 32.9 41.8 48.5 62.9 68.0 76.5 86.7
SLM 95 95 9.2 11.4 18.0 24.7 29.4 31.7 36.3 38.1 44.1 55.9 64.8 84.2 91.0 102 116
SLM 119 119 11.6 14.3 22.6 31.0 36.9 39.7 45.5 47.7 55.2 70.0 81.2 105 114 128 145
SLM 142 142 13.8 17.1 27.0 37.0 44.0 47.3 54.3 57.0 65.9 83.5 96.9 126 136 153 173
SLM 166 166 16.1 19.9 31.5 43.2 51.4 55.3 63.5 66.6 77.0 97.6 113 147 159 179 203
SLM 190 190 18.5 22.8 36.1 49.5 58.9 63.3 72.6 76.2 88.1 112 130 168 182 205 232
SLM 238 238 23.1 28.6 45.2 62.0 73.7 79.3 91.0 95.5 110 140 162 211 228 256 291
SLM 285 285 27.7 34.2 54.1 74.2 88.3 95.0 109 114 132 168 194 252 273 307 348
SLM 357 357 34.8 42.9 67.8 93.0 111 119 137 143 166 210 244 315 342 384 435
SLM 426 426 41.4 51.3 81.0 111 132 142 163 171 198 251 291 378 408 459 519
SLM 476 476 46.2 57.2 90.4 124 147 159 182 191 220 280 324 422 456 512 582

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4. Principles of the oxygen

recombination cycle

In a conventional flooded electrolyte During the charging process

pocket plate nickel cadmium battery evolution of oxygen begins to occur
water is lost from the battery on a little before the positive plate
overcharge due to the following reaches its fully charged state and
reactions: then becomes the main reaction
when the fully charged condition is
At the positive plate reached. However, the cadmium
negative plate has a better charge
40H- 2H20 + 02 + 4e- acceptance than the positive plate
(Oxygen evolution) and hydrogen is not evolved until
this plate is virtually fully charged.
At the negative plate
The Ultima battery has been
designed with an excess of cadmium
4H20 + 4e- 2H2 + 40H-
negative material to enhance this
(Hydrogen evolution)
effect and ensure that oxygen
evolution commences prior to
This corresponds to a theoretical loss
hydrogen evolution.
of 36 g of water for 107Ah of
overcharge i.e. 0.335 cc per Ah.
The oxygen which is produced at
Hence a conventional cell requires
the positive plate surface is collected
periodic addition of water.
by the special porous separator and
The frequency of this operation
thus not allowed to escape from the
depends upon the cumulative
region between the plates. Some
amount of charge received and the
displacement of electrolyte within the
operating temperature.
separator occurs, thus generating
extra unfilled pores for the diffusion
of oxygen directly to the adjacent
cadmium negative plate.

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As soon as the oxygen reaches the The efficiency of this oxygen Though the efficiency of this oxygen
negative plate it reacts either recombination process depends recombination is high it will never
chemically: upon the relationship between the achieve 100% as small quantities of
rate at which oxygen is produced oxygen will escape from the
2Cd + 02 + 2H20 2Cd(OH)2 (A) and the rate at which it can be separator before reaching and
collected and transferred to the reacting at the negative plate.
or electrochemically: negative plate surface. The rate of Thus a small quantity of hydrogen
collection and transfer of oxygen is will ultimately be generated and
02 + 2H20 + 4e- 40H- (B) controlled by the separator type and hence a low rate of water loss will
the cell design. occur. The battery is designed to
Reaction (A) has the effect of accommodate this by provision of a
chemically discharging some of the The rate at which oxygen is generous electrolyte reserve both
cadmium to cadmium hydroxide. produced on overcharge is directly above and around each cell pack
The current passing through the related to the charge current once within the battery. This ensures a
battery is used to recharge this the positive plate has reached a full long service life without the need to
material. state of charge. The charge current top up with water.
in turn is controlled by the charging
Reaction (B) consumes the current voltage level set on the charging The Ultima battery is fitted with a
directly. Thus hydrogen evolution at equipment and the ambient low pressure vent on each cell.
the negative plate is suppressed temperature. By controlling the On overcharge the cells have an
because the preferred reaction is charge voltage high efficiencies can internal pressure above atmospheric
oxygen recombination. Hence the be obtained and in this way the rate pressure. The vent provides an outlet
total process of oxygen generation of water loss can be reduced to a for the release of small quantities of
and consumption is referred to as an fraction of that from conventional hydrogen and non recombined
oxygen recombination cycle. batteries. oxygen and thus controls the
internal pressure. When the pressure
falls below the release pressure
either on open circuit or on
discharge the vent reseals to prevent
ingress of air and minimize self
discharge reactions.

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5. Construction features of the Ultima

battery

5.1 Plate Assembly mechanically robust but also retains

The construction of the Saft its active material within a steel
Nife Ultima cell is based The nickel cadmium cell consists of boundary which promotes
upon the proven Saft Nife two groups of plates, one containing conductivity and minimizes electrode
pocket plate technology but nickel hydroxide (the positive plate) swelling.
with special features to and the other containing cadmium
hydroxide (the negative plate). These plates are then welded to a
enhance the low water
current carrying busbar which
usage by means of the The active materials of the Saft Nife further ensures the mechanical and
recombination cycle. Ultima pocket plate are retained in electrical stability of the product.
pockets formed from nickel plated
steel strips double perforated by a The alkaline electrolyte does not
patented process. These pockets are react with steel, which means that
mechanically linked together, cut to the supporting structure of the
the size corresponding to the plate Ultima battery stays intact and
width and compressed to the final unchanged for the life of the battery.
plate dimension. This process leads There is no corrosion and no risk of
to a component which is not only “sudden death”.

Clip on cover

Low pressure flame

arresting vent
Terminal pillars

Plate group
Plate group busbar
busbar

Polypropylene
cell container

Pocket plate Polypropylene

fibrous separator

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5.2 Separation –20°C (for low temperature one way valve which will allow the
operation see section 6.4) and it is release of small quantities of
As described in section 4, the not necessary to change the hydrogen and non recombined
separator is a key feature of the electrolyte during the life of the cell. oxygen if the internal pressure
Saft Nife Ultima battery. It is exceeds a fixed safety value.
polypropylene fibrous material It is an important consideration of The nominal operating pressure of
which, after exhaustive analysis of Ultima, and indeed of all nickel the vent is 0.2 bar.
available separator material, was cadmium batteries, that the
specially developed for this product electrolyte does not change during When the pressure falls below the
to give the features required. charge and discharge. It retains its release pressure the vent reseals to
ability to transfer ions between the prevent ingress of air.
Using this separator and plastic cell plates irrespective of the charge
spacing ribs, the distance between level. The sealing vent has an integral
the plates is carefully controlled to flame-arresting porous disk to
give the necessary gas retention to 5.4 Terminal pillars prevent any possibility of any
provide the level of recombination external ignition from spreading into
required. Short terminal pillars are welded to the Ultima cell.
the plate busbars using a well
By providing a large spacing proven battery construction method. 5.6 Cell container
between the positive and negative These posts are manufactured from
plates and a generous quantity of steel bar, internally threaded for Ultima is built up using the well
electrolyte between plates, the bolting on connectors and are nickel proven Saft Nife bloc battery
possibility of thermal runaway is plated. construction. The tough
eliminated. polypropylene containers are
The terminal pillar to lid seal is welded together by heat sealing.
5.3 Electrolyte provided by a compressed visco- Additional end walls are welded on
elastic sealing surface held in place to constrain the small internal
by compression lock washers. pressure changes created by the
The electrolyte used in Ultima, which
This assembly is designed to provide recombination process and the low
is a solution of potassium hydroxide
satisfactory sealing throughout the pressure vent.
and lithium hydroxide, is optimized
life of the product.
to give the best combination of
The assembly of the blocs is
performance, life and energy
5.5 Venting system completed by a clip on cover
efficiency over a wide temperature
enclosing the top of the Ultima bloc,
range.
Ultima is fitted with a low pressure giving a non conducting, easy to
flame arresting vent for each cell of clean, top surface.
The concentration is such as to allow
the cell to be operated down to the battery. This vent operates as a

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6. Benefits of the Ultima battery

The benefits of the Saft Nife value Wide operating temperature range
regulated Ultima battery are: The normal Ultima maximum
operating temperature range is
Complete reliability 0°C to +40°C. However, Ultima can
Does not suffer from the sudden survive extremes of temperature
death failure due to internal from as low as –40°C to up to
corrosion associated with other +60°C.
battery technologies.
Resistance to mechanical abuse
Exceptional long life Ultima is designed to have the
Has all the design features mechanical strength for use in both
associated with the conventional stationary and mobile applications.
Saft Nife twenty plus years life
battery products. High resistance to electrical abuse
Ultima will survive abuses which will
Ultra low maintenance destroy the valve regulated lead
Ultima will give up to twenty years acid battery. In particular, it has a
without topping up in normal resistance to overcharging, deep
applications but can be engineered discharging, short circuits, and a
for severe applications to give tolerance to up to 15% AC ripple.
prolonged ultra low maintenance
with the option of water Low installation costs
replenishment as and when Ultima can be used with existing
required. charging systems, has minimal gas
evolution without any corrosive
Office compatibility vapors, uses corrosion free
The Saft Nife Ultima battery is a polypropylene containers and has
valve regulated recombination an easy bolted assembly system.
product and it gives off
imperceptible amounts of gas and Well proven pocket plate
no corrosive fumes. construction
Saft Nife has over 80 years of
manufacturing and application
experience with the nickel cadmium
pocket plate product and this
expertise has been built into the
twenty plus years design life of the
Ultima product.

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7. Operating features

7.1 Capacity 7.3 Internal resistance

The Ultima battery capacity is rated The internal resistance of a cell

in ampere hours (Ah) and is the varies with the type of service and
quantity of electricity which it can the state of charge and is, therefore,
supply for a 5 hour discharge to difficult to define and measure
1.0 V/cell after being fully charged. accurately.
This figure is in agreement with the
IEC623 standard. The most practical value for normal
applications is the discharge voltage
In practice, Ultima is used in floating response to a change in discharge
conditions and so the tabular data is current.
based upon cell performance after
several months of floating. The internal resistance per 1/C5 of
This eliminates certain correction an Ultima cell at room temperature
factors which need to be used when when measured after float charging
sizing batteries with conventional at normal temperature is
fully charged open cell data (see 80 milliohms for SLM 8 to
section 10 – Battery sizing SLM 48 cells and 100 milliohms for
principles). SLM 71 to SLM 476 cells; e.g. for
an Ultima cell type SLM 8 (8 Ah)
7.2 Cell voltage the internal resistance is
80 x1/8 = 10 milliohms.
The cell voltage of nickel cadmium
cells results from the electrochemical The above figures are for fully
potentials of the nickel and the charged cells. For lower states of
cadmium active materials in the charge the values increase.
presence of the potassium hydroxide
electrolyte. The nominal voltage is For cells 50% discharged the
1.2 V. internal resistance is about 20%
higher and when 90% discharged it
is about 80% higher. The internal
resistance of a fully discharged cell
has very little meaning.

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Reducing the temperature also normal temperatures. The effect of 7.5 Short circuit values
increases the internal resistance and, temperature is more marked at
at 0°C, the internal resistance is higher rates of discharge. The typical short circuit value in
about 40% higher than at room The factors which are required in amperes for an Ultima cell is
temperature. sizing a battery to compensate for approximately 15 times the ampere-
temperature variations are given in hour capacity.
7.4 Effect of temperature on a graphical form in Figure 1 for the
performance normal recommended operating The Ultima battery is designed to
temperature range of 0°C to 40°C. withstand a short circuit current of
Variations in ambient temperature this magnitude for many minutes
For use at temperatures outside this without damage.
affect the performance of Ultima
range please contact Saft for advice.
and this needs to be taken into
account when sizing the battery.

Low temperature operation has the

effect of reducing the performance
but the higher temperature
characteristics are similar to those at

Derating factor
1.1

1
5 hour rate

0.9
30 min rate

0.8
1 min rate

0.7
-10 0 10 20 30 40 50
Temperature (°C)

Figure 1: Typical cell performance variation with temperature

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7.6 Open circuit loss The open circuit loss for Ultima for If Ultima is used in a deep cycling
the standard temperature and the application which requires a fast
The state of charge of Ultima on extremes of the normal operating recharge, there will be significant
open circuit slowly decreases with range is shown in Figure 2 for a one gas evolved and the ultra low
time due to self discharge. year period. maintenance properties of the
In practice this decrease is relatively product will be severely reduced.
rapid during the first two weeks but It is necessary to recharge Ultima However, there are cycling
then stabilizes to about 2% per each year for storage periods in applications where Ultima can be
month at 20°C. excess of one year. beneficial. This will depend on the
frequency and depth of discharge
The self discharge characteristics of 7.7 Cycling involved.
a nickel cadmium cell are affected
by the temperature. At low Ultima is an ultra low maintenance 7.8 Water consumption
temperatures the charge retention is product and therefore is used
better than at normal temperature generally in standby and not The Ultima battery works on the
and so the open circuit loss is continuous cycling applications. oxygen recombination principle and
reduced. However, the self discharge Nevertheless, it is designed using therefore has a much reduced water
is significantly increased at higher conventional pocket plate electrode consumption. In practice, for the
temperatures. technology and has therefore an recommended charging voltages,
equivalent cycling capability to the Ultima has a level of recombination
standard product. of 85% to 95%. This compares to the

Percentage of initial capacity (%)

100
0°C

90

80

20°C
70
40°C
60

50
0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400
Open circuit period (days)

Figure 2: Typical open circuit loss variation with time

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level of recombination found in 7.9 Gas evolution Typically an Ultima cell will
equivalent vented pocket plate cells electrolyze about 0.002 cc of water
of 30% to 35%. Thus Ultima has a The gas evolution is a function of the per Ah of cell capacity per day.
water usage reduced by a factor of amount of water electrolyzed into This value will be smaller or larger
up to 10 times of that of an open hydrogen and oxygen which is not depending on the float voltage
flooded cell. This means that at involved in the recombination cycle. value. Thus a typical value of gas
suitable charging voltages and The electrolysis of 1 cc of water emission would be 3.5 cc per Ah of
temperatures, Ultima will not need produces about 2000 cc of gas cell capacity per day, or 2.5 cc of
water replenishment for more than mixture and this gas mixture is in the hydrogen per Ah of cell capacity
20 years. proportion of 2/3 hydrogen and per day.
1/3 oxygen. Thus the electrolysis of
However, not all needs are the same 1 cc of water produces about
and Ultima is designed to allow 1300 cc of hydrogen.
water replenishment under different
and more difficult charging As stated in the previous paragraph,
conditions. Figure 3 gives a under normal recommended float
comparison of different water conditions Ultima has a
replenishment times under different recombination level of 85% to 95%
float voltages at 20°C. and so the amount of water which is
electrolyzed into gas is small.

1.46
Float charge voltage per cell

1.45
Temperature 20°C
1.44

1.43

1.42

1.41

1.40
8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24
Maintenance free period (years)

Figure 3: Effect of charging voltage on maintenance free period

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8. Battery charging

In order to ensure that the ultra low 8.1 Charging methods b) Single level float charging
maintenance properties of the Ultima
battery are achieved, it is necessary Ultima batteries may be charged by Ultima batteries may be float
to control the charge input to the the following methods: charged at 1.41 to 1.43 V/cell from
battery to minimize the rate of water a fully discharged condition to a
loss during the life of the product. a) Two level constant potential high stage of charge. This is detailed
charging: in section 8.2 and about 80% of the
It is important therefore that the capacity will be available after 16
recommended charge conditions are The initial stage of two rate constant hours of charge.
complied with. potential charging consists of a first
charging stage, with a current limit Alternatively, Ultima can be float
However, Ultima is unique in of 0.1 C5 to an average maximum charged at 1.45 V/cell if a faster
recombination valve regulated voltage of 1.45 V/cell. recharge time is required. This will,
systems in allowing the possibility of however, increase the rate of water
replenishment of water in severe Alternatively, if a faster rate of loss and reduce the maintenance
applications where excessive water recharge is required, a voltage limit interval by a factor of two.
loss is unavoidable. of 1.55 V/cell can be used.
However, if frequent recharges are Temperature compensation may be
required this will increase the rate of required as described in section 8.3.
water loss.

After this first stage the charger

should be switched to a second
maintenance stage at a float voltage
in the range of 1.41 to 1.43 V/cell.
After a prolonged mains failure the
first stage should be reapplied
manually or automatically.

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8.2 Charge acceptance If the application has a particular

recharge time requirement then this
The performance data sheets for must be taken into account when
Ultima are based upon several calculating the battery (see section
months’ floating and so are for fully 10 – Battery sizing principles).
float charged cells.

A discharged cell will take a certain

time to achieve this and Figure 4
gives the capacity available for the
two principal charging voltages
recommended for Ultima,
1.42 V/cell and 1.45 V/cell, during
the first 30 hours of charge from a
fully discharged state.

Available capacity (% of rated capacity)

100
90
Charging voltage
80 1.45 Volts per cell
70
60
Charging voltage 1.42 Volts per cell
50
40
30
Current Limit 0.1 C5A
20 Temperature 20 C
o

10
0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 30
Charge time (hours)
Figure 4: Available capacity on float charge from a fully discharged cell

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8.3 Temperature effects Increasing the current increases the

water loss and reducing the current
creates the risk that the cell will not
The recombination efficiency of the
be sufficiently charged. Thus as it is
Ultima cell is dependent on the
clearly important to maintain the
floating current and this, in itself, is
same current through the cell, it is
a function of the floating voltage.
necessary to modify the floating
Thus the floating voltages chosen for
voltage as the temperature changes.
Ultima are carefully optimized at an
The change in voltage required,
ambient temperature of 20°C
or “temperature compensation”,
between the current required to
is given in Figure 5. If these values
charge the cell and the level of
cannot be exactly met with a
current required to give the ultra low
particular system then temperature
maintenance features.
compensation values of between
–2.5 mV/°C and –3.5 mV/°C are
As the temperature increases then
acceptable.
the electrochemical behavior
becomes more active and so, for the
same floating voltage, the current
increases. As the temperature is
reduced then the reverse occurs.

Voltage adjustment (%)

10
Temperature compensation recommended
for sustained temperatures above 25oC and
8 below 15oC
6
4
2 Outside normal
operating range
0
-2 Temperature compensation not Outside normal
necessary for ambient temperatures operating range
-4 between 15oC and 25oC

-6
-8
-20 -10 0 10 20 30 40 50
Temperature (C)
Figure 5: Charging voltage adjustment for sustained temperatures

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The effect of increasing the However, for ambient temperatures

continuous ambient temperatures is outside 15°C to 25°C or for
shown in Figure 6. For a continuous temperature fluctuations beyond the
ambient temperature of 40°C the 10°C to 30°C it is recommended
water consumption is doubled with that the temperature compensation
respect to 20°C. If temperature should be used.
compensation is used then this is
largely eliminated, although not If the temperature range of the
entirely as, at high temperatures, application is outside the operating
the gas occupies a larger volume range of 0°C to 40°C or the ambient
and so it is less easily retained by temperature is outside 15°C to 25°C
the separator. range and temperature
compensation is not feasible, it is still
In practice, for a continuous ambient possible that Ultima can be used but
temperature of 20°C with with some modification to voltages
fluctuations up to 30°C and down to and maintenance interval. Under
10°C, temperature compensation for these circumstances please contact
the charger is not necessary as there Saft for assistance.
is sufficient safety margin in the
product design to allow for these
fluctuations.

Change relative to 20°C (%)

20
10
With temperature compensation
0
-10
-20
-30
-40
Without temperature compensation
-50
-60
-70
-10 0 10 20 30 40 50
Temperature (°C)

Figure 6: Change in maintenance interval with continuous ambient temperature

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8.4 Commissioning 8.4.2 Batteries filled and The following methods of

requirements discharged commissioning charge are
recommended:
Ultima batteries in a filled and
8.4.1 Batteries filled and charged
discharged state require a a) Charge 16 hours at 0.1 C5 A
commissioning charge prior to maximum.
Ultima batteries are normally
putting into service. This is a once
supplied charged, ready for
only operation and is essential to b) Charge at 1.65 V/cell for 16
immediate use and, provided they
prepare the battery for its long hours maximum (0.1 C5 A current
have not been stored for more than
service life. limit).
six months, they may be put directly
into service on float charge.
The commissioning charge requires If these recommended methods are
Under these circumstances they
an input of 160% of the rated (C5) not available in practice, then
should not be given a commissioning
capacity before putting the battery charging may be carried out at
charge before putting into service.
into service. lower float voltages for extended
Batteries stored between six and periods.
Prolonged overcharging is not
twelve months should be treated
harmful to Ultima batteries but will
as batteries filled and discharged -
reduce the initial electrolyte reserve
section 8.4.2
and thus the service life without
topping up. In the event of
overcharge in excess of this
recommendation, the level of
electrolyte can be checked and
restored to the maximum level.

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9. Special operating factors

9.1 Electrical abuse 9.2 Mechanical abuse

9.1.1 Ripple effects 9.1.3 Overcharge 9.2.1 Shock loads

The nickel cadmium battery is Overcharge of a recombination The Ultima bloc battery concept has
tolerant to high ripple from standard battery leads to an excessive use of been tested to both IEC 68-2-29
charging systems. Ultima has been water. (bump tests at 5 g, 10 g and 25 g)
tested with voltage ripple values of and IEC 77 (shock test 3 g).
up to 15% without any effect on In a restricted electrolyte battery,
water loss. such as valve regulated lead acid, 9.2.2 Vibration resistance
this loss of electrolyte is irreversible
9.1.2 Over-discharge and will lead to premature failure of The Ultima bloc battery concept has
the battery. been tested to IEC 77 for 2 hours
If more than the designed capacity is at 1 g.
taken out of a battery then it In the case of Ultima, with its
becomes over-discharged. This is generous electrolyte reserve, a small 9.2.3 External corrosion
considered to be an abuse situation degree of overcharge will not
for a battery and should be avoided. significantly alter the maintenance Ultima nickel cadmium cells are
period. In the case of excessive manufactured in durable
In the case of lead acid batteries this overcharge, a situation which will polypropylene, all external metal
will lead to failure of the battery and immediately destroy a valve components are nickel plated and
is unacceptable. regulated lead acid battery, these components are protected by
Ultima can be refurbished as a neutral grease and a rigid plastic
The Ultima battery is designed to described in Section 13. cover.
make recovery from this situation
possible.

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10. Battery sizing principles

Ultima is designed to be easy to use the battery would give 20 years and so in this case the battery is 89
and specify and so the published without topping up. cells of SLM 285.
data is based on cells which have
been on float for several months, However, if for this example there The disadvantage of this solution is
i.e. the data reflects the practical was a restriction that the battery must that a single level charger of
situation. give 80% of its performance after 10 1.45 V/cell will only give 10 years
hours from a totally discharged state without maintenance and so to
Thus in a situation at normal ambient then certain modifications need to be achieve the 20 year maintenance
temperature without any specific made to the calculation. level a two stage charger is required.
requirement with regard to recharge
time the published data can be used If the single level 1.42 V/cell charger In principle it is always better to go
directly to size the battery. However, is retained, then from Figure 4 it can to the lowest charge voltage as this
if there are requirements with regard be seen that after 10 hours about gives the lowest end of discharge
to recharge time or temperature then 74% of the capacity is available and voltage, and generally a smaller cell
this will modify the result. so the battery size will have to be capacity for the same duty, and gives
increased by the factor 80/74 or, the best maintenance interval.
Examples in other words, 8%. Thus for a
current of 113 A (105 A + 8%) to Temperatures outside the standard
A standby system is to be sited in a 1.05 V/cell the battery required is range are treated in precisely the
building with an ambient temperature 91 cells of SLM 285 as this gives same way using Figure 1 for the
of 20°C and the temperature will 131 A to 1.05 V/cell. This battery derating factors.
always lie between 10°C and 30°C. will still give the 20 years without
It has a maximum voltage of 130 V topping up. When treating temperatures it is
and a minimum voltage of 95 V and important to note that low
requires a backup of 105 A for 2 From Figure 4, it can be seen that a temperatures reduce the performance
hours. voltage of 1.45 V/cell gives 80% of (Figure 1) and so the battery size
the capacity after 10 hours and so must be increased to accommodate
In this case a simple 1.42 V/cell there is no need to increase the cell this and at higher temperatures the
single level charger without capacity to compensate for the ultra low maintenance is reduced
temperature compensation can be charge. However, the battery has to (Figure 6) and so special
used. be recalculated as, with the same consideration should be given to
voltage window, the higher charge charging parameters.
Number of cells = 130/1.42 = 91 voltage will modify the end of
and the final voltage will be discharge voltage. This section is intended to give
95/91 = 1.04 V/cell. general guidelines in battery sizing.
Thus, the number of cells = For advice on special battery
The Ultima data shows that the SLM 130/1.45 = 89 and so the end of applications contact Saft.
238 gives 109 A for 2 hours to 1.05 discharge voltage becomes 95/89 =
V/cell and so the battery would be 1.07 V. The Ultima performance
91 cells of SLM 238. At this single table gives for 2 hours discharge at
level voltage and at this temperature 117 A to 1.10 V/cell the SLM 285,

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11. Installation and storage

11.1 Emplacement The overall weight of the battery

must be considered and the load
The Saft Nife Ultima valve regulated bearing on the flooring taken into
recombination battery can be fitted account in the selection of the
onto stands, can be floor mounted battery accommodation. In case of
or can be fitted into cabinets. doubt, please contact Saft for
advice.
Local standards or codes normally
define the mounting arrangements of When mounting the battery ensure
the batteries, and these must be that the cells are correctly
followed if applicable. However, interconnected with the appropriate
if this is not the case the following polarity. The battery connection to
comments can be used as a guide. load should be with nickel plated
cable lugs. The connectors and
When the battery is housed in a terminal screws should be corrosion
cubicle or enclosed compartment it is protected by coating with a thin
necessary to provide adequate layer of natural vaseline or
ventilation depending on utilization anti-corrosion oil.
(see section 11.2 – Ventilation).
Recommended terminal bolt
Allow sufficient space over the tightening torques are:
battery to ensure easy access during
assembly. Cell Recommended
connection torque
Saft offers a wide selection of stands bolt per pole Nm Ibf.in
to suit most applications.
M5 7.5 70
It is desirable to have easy access to M8 20 180
all blocks on a stand mounted M 10 30 270
battery and they should be situated
in a readily available position. To avoid accelerated ageing of the
Distances between stands, and plastic due to UV light, batteries
between stands and walls, should be should not be exposed to direct
sufficient to give good access to the sunlight, UV light sources or strong
battery. daylight for prolonged periods.

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11.2 Ventilation 11.3 Electrical Before putting into service ensure

that the batteries are externally clean
Under normal floating conditions the Ultima batteries are normally and with an adequate protective
Saft Nife Ultima battery gives off up supplied filled with electrolyte and finish, such as an approved neutral
to 10 times less gas than a charged ready for immediate use. grease, on the connectors.
conventional open cell. Thus the They may be stored in this condition
need for ventilation is much reduced for up to twelve months from the If it is necessary to store the batteries
and in many cases no special date of despatch from Saft. for more than one year then they
ventilation requirements other than should be given the following
normal room ventilation are If batteries are not put into service conditioning discharge – charge
required. The quantity of hydrogen immediately, they should be stored in cycle at the end of each year of
given off is given in section 7.9, a clean, dry, cool and well ventilated storage.
Gas evolution. However, if the Ultima store on open shelves. They should
battery is commissioned in the final not be exposed to direct sunlight. ● Discharge at 0.1 C5 A to an end
location or if the maximum Before storage ensure that the of discharge voltage of
recommended charge current of batteries are clean, with an 1.1 V/cell, where C5 is the rated
0.1 C5 is used then the quantity of adequate protective finish, such as capacity of the battery.
gas given off will be increased. an approved neutral grease, on the
connectors, and that the flame ● Charge 160% battery’s rated
A typical figure for room ventilation arresting low pressure vents remain capacity at a maximum of
is about 2.5 air changes per hour undisturbed. 0.1 C5 A for 16 hours.
and under such conditions it is
satisfactory to install 700 watt hours Batteries filled and charged can be ● Return battery to store.
of battery capacity per cubic meter if stored for up to one year without
the final charge current is at any conditioning charge ● Repeat every 12 months.
0.1 C5 A. requirement. If they are stored up to
six months they should be put All batteries after storage must be
Please refer to ventilation standards directly into service without any prepared for service and fully
and requirements applicable in your commissioning charge. If they have commissioned as described for cells
country or area. been stored for between six months after one year’s storage.
and one year they should be given a
Care should also be taken with commissioning charge as described
cubicle installations to ensure in section 8.4.
sufficient ventilation and battery
spacing to prevent overloading and,
hence, excess water usage.

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12. Maintenance of Ultima batteries in

service

In a correctly designed standby If there is evidence that electrolyte

application Ultima is a maintenance has been ejected from the vents or
free product and requires the that there has been an excessive use
minimum of attention. However, of water, this could indicate a
it is good practice with any standby charger or system malfunction.
system to carry out a full discharge- Action should be taken to rectify this.
charge cycle once per year to ensure
that the charger, the battery and the Please note that, when checking the
ancillary electronics are all levels, a fluctuation in level between
functioning correctly. adjacent cells is not abnormal and is
due to the different levels of gas held
When this system service is carried in the separator of each cell.
out it is recommended that the
Ultima cell levels should be checked
visually to ensure that the level is
above the minimum, the batteries
should be checked for external
cleanliness and if necessary cleaned
with a damp cloth and that the cover
should be removed to check that the
protective grease on the terminals
remains intact and that the vents
are clean.

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13. Refurbishment of Ultima batteries

Refurbishment of the Ultima battery ● Top up each cell with approved

is recommended when the electrolyte water to the specified maximum
level reaches the normal minimum level. Saft Nife can supply special
mark on the cell but must be carried topping up equipment on
out before it reaches the warning request.
level on the cell. Batteries operated
at float charge rates above ● Wipe up any small spillage on
1.42 V/cell will require cells using a clean cloth. Replace
refurbishment during their operating the vents taking care to tighten
life (see section 8.8 – Water them correctly i.e. until resistance
consumption). against a stop is experienced,
and ensure that the seating
Refurbishing of the Ultima battery is rubber has not been disturbed
carried out as follows: out of position. If there is any
doubt about the quality of the
● Disconnect the battery from the sealing ring replace with a new
load. Remove the orange vent assembly.
terminal cover.
● Replace the orange terminal
● With the terminal cover removed, cover.
the tops of the individual cells of
the Ultima battery will be in view. The refurbished Ultima cell is now
ready for recommissioning (see
● Confirm that an adequate section 8.4.2 – Commissioning
protective finish (recommended requirements: batteries filled and
neutral grease) remains on discharged).
glands, poles and connectors.
Replenish if necessary. Note: Before proceeding with any
battery refurbishment please ensure
● Carefully loosen the flame that the Safety Precautions given in
arresting low pressure vents to the Ultima Operating Instruction
release any gas pressure and Sheet are complied with.
then remove each vent completely
and retain for refitting.

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Saft, the battery sector of the Alcatel Alsthom group, supplies advanced off-line power solutions for its customers all over the world.
Saft designs, manufactures, sells and services multi-technology cells and batteries as well as related power electronics systems.
As one of Saft’s three product groups, the Advanced and Industrial Battery Group spans an extremely broad range
of industrial applications : aircraft, railways, electric vehicles, space, defense and other industries. Its plants, located in Bordeaux,
Poitiers, France, Oskarshamn, Sweden and Valdosta, Georgia, U.S.A., are operated through a quality management
system that extends to R&D and production automation.
All sites are ISO 9001 certified.
Nickel-cadmium batteries are 99.9% recyclable and Saft operates its own dedicated recycling center.

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Doc No R02.97-21036.2. Published by the Communications Department

Data in this document is subject to change without notice and becomes contractual only after written confirmation