Sealed Lead-Acid Batteries for Telecommunications Applications

This paper outlines a view of the typical needs of the telephone companies for standby power used in non-central office telecommunications installations. These installations are being installed at ever increasing rates. As more systems are placed at the same sites, the need for higher capacity power systems increases. These non-central office locations will be housed in above ground (AG/EEE) and below ground (BG/EEE) Electronic Equipment Enclosures. Because of their location, size and environmental considerations, a reliable bulk energy backup is needed. The lead-acid battery has been the main source of standby power in telephone central offices for many years. In today's modern communications networks, small central office type systems (digital loop carrier systems) are located in non-central office locations where different battery requirements must be considered. Sealed lead-acid batteries in capacities suitable for bulk power plants (hundreds of ampere-hours) have been introduced into the U. S. over the past several years. The application of this technology may provide some benefits. Some of these benefits might be, reduced maintenance, negligible gassing, spillproof and leakproof, operation in any position, reduced space, and operation over wide temperature ranges. In order for the telephone companies to make educated decisions on the type of batteries they should use in these non-central office installations, it will be necessary for them to have sufficient information to help set the requirements they need. Some of the areas where information is needed are discussed in this paper and include life, maintenance (voltage readings etc.