Hioki 3550 User manual

3550 Series Battery HiTESTERs
User's Guide
September 1999
HIOKI E. E. CORPORATION
Author: R&D OFFICE II
Editor: Technical Sales Support Section
81 Koizumi
Ueda-shi, Nagano-ken JAPAN
[e-mail]
http://www.hioki.co.jp

2
CONTENTS
1Display …………………………… 2
Q 1 - 3
2Printer Output/Memory …………………………… 2
Q1 - 8
3Comparator …………………………… 4
Q1 - 7
4Input Protection …………………………… 6
Q1 - 3
5Leads …………………………… 7
Q1 - 15
6Resistance Measurement …………………………… 9
Q1 - 14
7Voltage Measurement …………………………… 14
Q1
8Temperature Measurement …………………………… 14
Q1 - 2
9Batteries …………………………… 15
Q1 - 13
10 Miscellaneous …………………………… 19
Q1 - 19
11 References …………………………… 23
Questions & Answers

3550BatteryHiTESTERSeries
3
1Display………………………………………………………………...
Q1. Why does the 3550 series
comparator display a warning
when it finds the resistance of a
battery to be between the upper
and lower limits, i.e., (lower
limit resistance value)
<resistance < (upper limit
resistance value)?
A1. When a battery is new, it has a low internal
resistance, but as the battery deteriorates the
internal resistance becomes larger. This is due
to corrosion on the plates, loss of electrolytic
solution, etc. Therefore, when the comparator
is found to be in the "IN"condition during battery
maintenance work, a warning is generated.
However, when the battery is shipped from the
factory, it passes inspection as long as it falls
between the upper and lower limits for both
resistance and voltage. At HIOKI, we use
these units in combination with the 3225 and the
3236.
Q2. If a negative voltage is displayed,
the comparator makes an
incorrect evaluation if the polarity
of the test leads is reversed
when connected to the battery.
(To be more precise, rather than
incorrectly evaluating the
voltage, it judges the voltage
low.) Is it possible to ignore the
negative polarity for the
evaluation?
A2. Although it is not possible with the 3550 series,
we will consider implementing such a capability
in a future BATTERY HiTESTER/AC
mΩHiTESTER.
Q3. After inserting batteries in the
3551 (or connecting the AC
adapter), power does not come
on immediately. Is this a
defect?
A3. When batteries are first inserted or when
batteries were fully depleted and are replaced
(or when the AC adapter is connected), the unit
will not come on for about 15 seconds. This is
because the internal backup capacitor is being
charged. It is not a defect. Information about
this point is included in the manual.

3550 Battery HiTESTER Series
4
2Printer Output/Memory………………………………………………
Q1. How can I load data stored in
memory into a personal
computer?
A1. Refer to the reference material at the end of
this sales guide. The material describes how
to use the 3550 and 3551's printer output to
load data from memory into a personal
computer. The method that is described
uses a commercially available RS- 232C
converter to load the data into a personal
computer running under Windows 95.Hyper
Terminal, provided with Windows 95, is the
software that is used.
Note:Units (Ω, V, C, etc.) are also output.
Q2. Is conversion of output to
Centronics - RS- 232C
possible?
A2. At present, the 3550 can store 260, 3551 can
store 250 items of data in memory. Because
the memory in the unit is already being used
to the fullest extent possible, it is not possible
to increase the amount of data that can be
stored in memory.
Q3. Is it possible to increase the
amount of data that can be
stored in memory?
A3. When batteries are first inserted or when
batteries were fully depleted and are replaced
(or when the AC adapter is connected), the
unit will not come on for about 15 seconds.
This is because the internal backup capacitor
is being charged. It is not a defect.
Information about this point is included in the
manual.
Q4. I have imported the data to a PC
and want to process them with
Microsoft Excel, but the unit
symbols prevent proper
calculation or graph display.
What should I do?
A4. Unit symbols such as "Ω", "V", or "C" can be
deleted using the global replace function of
Excel.
Q5. Can measurement data be
selectively deleted or added? A5. With the 3550 and 3551, it is only possible to delete the latest data or all data. The 3551
has a new function which allows over writing
data selectively.
Q6. Can I print out measurement
data selectively? A.6 This is not possible. The 3550 and 3551 send all data to the 9203 in one operation,
and the 9203 prints all of these data.
Refer to the reference
material at the end of
guide.

3550BatteryHiTESTERSeries
5
Q7. I want to externally control
EXT.HOLD and EXT.MEMO.
Where is the circuit common
point? Is it possible to perform
control with 0/5 V (CMOS
level)?
A7. Refer to the circuit configuration of EXT.HOLD
and EXT.MEMO shown below.The internal
circuit operates at 5 V. Control at the CMOS
level is therefore possible.
Q8. Does the printout differ,
depending on the software
version of the 9203?
A8. The software version and compatible models
are listed below.
Ver.1.00:3227
Ver.1.01:3550, 3227
Ver.1.10:3550, 3551, 3227
When version 1.10 is used and the 3550 is
connected, "NG" is displayed as "- - ".
When the 3551 is connected, printout is as
explained in the manual. When version 1.01
is used and the 3551 is connected, the 3 m
Ωrange cannot be printed. For details,
please contact the HIOKI Head Office.
3Comparator…………...………………………………………………
Q1. Is it possible for HIOKI to
research the battery data and
write the comparator values to
memory?
A1. Although HIOKI is engaged in battery
charging and discharging tests, the data
generated by these tests is intended only for
reference purposes. Users must provide the
data on individual batteries.
Q2. Is it possible to increase the
number of comparator? A2. Yes. It is possible to increase the number of comparator numbers up to 30(3550 and 3555
but 3551 is not possible). Such cases are
handled as special orders.
Q3. Is it possible to input upper and
lower limit values for a voltage
comparator?
A3. This is not possible with the 3550 series.
Inspections conducted by the battery
manufacturer when the batteries are shipped
from the factor are performed with upper and
lower limit values. However, if the voltage
is higher than normal during maintenance

3550 Battery HiTESTER Series
6
work, a failure in one of the other batteries
that is connected in series in a UPS could be
causing a relative increase in the battery
voltage, or the charger could be
malfunctioning. Increases in a battery's
voltage that are discovered during
maintenance appear never to be the result of
a problem with the battery itself.
Q4. Is it possible to use the
comparator for voltage only? A4. Set the upper and lower limit values of the comparator to 3000 (3550 and 3555), 3100
(3551) in the resistance range that is being
used. It is then possible to set the voltage
range and voltage comparison value to the
desired value. If the voltage exceeds the
comparison value, the PASS indicator lights; if
the voltage is equal to or less than the
comparison value, the WARNING indicator
flashes. However, if the resistance value is
too large and a constant current error occurs,
[- - - - ] is displayed and no LED lights.
Q5. Can the battery type number be
displayed instead of the
comparator number?
A5. This is not possible, because it would require
not only a software upgrade but also a new
LCD.
Q6. I want to measure a 48 V battery
assembly. Since voltage
evaluation is not needed, can
evaluation be based on
impedance only?
A.6 The maximum input voltage is 50 V DC for the
3550 and 3555 and 60 V DC for the 3551.
Therefore the impedance of a 48 V battery
assembly can be measured if voltage
evaluation is not required. Use the
comparator setting screen and set the voltage
comparator value to - 3000dgt (3551: -
3100dgt).
Q7. Is it possible to obtain separate
comparator outputs for
resistance and voltage?
A7. Because resistance and voltage comparator
output is obtained by software, it is not
possible to obtain separate comparator
outputs for resistance and voltage.
4Input Protection….…...………………………………………………
Q1. Is input overvoltage protection
implemented, and how? A1. Basically, in the case of both the 3550, 3555 and the 3551, it is not possible to input voltage
in excess of 50V DC (3551:60V DC), nor is it
possible to input AC voltage or current. If
such voltage or current is input, the unit will be
damaged. Although a design change that
adds a fuse will be implemented in new lots in
the near future in order to minimize the
number of failures resulting from such mis-
operation, the fuse will not be user
replaceable. Note that any unit failures
caused by overvoltage input will only be
repaired for a fee.

3550BatteryHiTESTERSeries
7
Q2. Can maximum allowable input
voltage be increased? A2. This is a frequently expressed request for the 3550 and 3551. However, for reasons of
safety and because extensive parts
modifications would be required, it is not
possible to increase the rated maximum input
voltage of the 3550 series models. The 3551
has passed overload tests up to 400 V DC.
When a voltage of about 330 V or more is
applied, an intermittent warning tone will be
heard. However, when high voltage is
applied, sparks are produced when the input
coupling capacitor is charged, which can be
dangerous. The rated maximum input
voltage therefore is 60 V DC.
Q3. What type of damage will occur
for various types of mis-
operation?
A3. If AC voltage is input, depending on the
amount of voltage, the surge absorber will be
damaged, and the fuse will be damaged (once
the design change for adding the fuse is
implemented).In some cases, the A/D
converter will also be damaged. If
overvoltage is input, the capacitor and surge
absorber will be damaged. If a battery is
inserted with reversed polarity, the battery will
leak and the power supply circuitry will be
damaged.
5Leads……...…………...……………………………………………
Q1. Will the spring pressure of the
9460 be increased?A1. Compared to when the product was initially
released, the diameter of the spring has been
increased, resulting in greater strength.
Q2. Will the tip of the 9461 pin be
made rounder? A nd will the
spring pressure of the pin tip be
reduced?
A2. The pin tip has been made rounder, and the
spring pressure has been reduced. As a
result, the tip will be less likely to damage ba
ttery terminals.
Q3. Will the tip of the 9461 pin be
made thinner? A3. The 9174- 02 semi- standard product can be used with the 3550 and 3555. However,
because the probes are not red and black, the
user must mark them by wrapping them with
red or black tape, as appropriate. In addition,
the 9461 can be modified for special orders.
However, because pin tip 1172 is a four-
terminal probe that was developed for in-
circuit testing, it offers extremely high
accuracy, but is susceptible to damage when
used manually.

3550 Battery HiTESTER Series
8
9465 PIN-TYPE
LEADS
Q4. Is it possible to special order the
9460 CLIP- TYPE LEADS WITH
TEMPERATURE SENSO R with
a wider opening between the
jaws?
A4. We provided 9467 LARGE CLIP TYPE
LEADS. But it can not measure temperature.
Q5. Is it possible to extend the
leads? A5. We have confirmed that it is possible to extend the leads up to 5m.However, only the
thick, bundled portion between the points
where the leads branch out at each end can
be extended. Note also that extending the
leads results in increased susceptibility to
external noise, so in some environments the
measured values may fluctuate.
Q6. Describe the pin arrangements,
including shielding, so that we
can produce our own leads.
A.6 The pin arrangements are indicated on the
3550 and the 3555 themselves. In addition,
the shielding wires in the 9460 and 9461 are
connected to SENSE- LO.
Q7. Can the 9287 CLIP- TYPE
LEADS be used With the 3550
series?
A7. Yes, with some restrictions. Because the
9287 leads are test leads for low- resistance
meters, they are not designed to be used to
test objects to which voltage is being input.
Therefore, they cannot be used in the
maintenance of batteries used in a UPS, for
example. When checking a battery by itself
(less than absolute maximum input voltage),
the 9287 leads can be used without any
problems.
Q8. Can the 9461PIN- TYPE
LEADS be used with
the 3550 and 3551?
A8. Yes, with some restrictions. Because the
9461 leads are test leads for the 3555, they
are designed to be used at less than 50V DC.
Therefore, they cannot be used in the
maintenance of batteries used in a UPS, for
example. When checking a battery by itself
(less than absolute maximum input voltage),
the 9461 leads can be used without any
problems.
Q9. Can the 9465 PIN- TYPE
LEADS be extended? A9. When the 3551 is used, no extension is possible because measurement values would
become unstable. With the 3550 and 3555,
extension for up to five meters is possible.
Only the heavy- gauge part between junctions
can be extended.

3550BatteryHiTESTERSeries
9
Q10. Can the 9173 FOUR-
TERMINAL LEADS be modified
to use banana plugs?
A10. This is possible only when used with the
3555.Precision assurance with the 3550 and
3551 is not given. The 9173 is available as a
special- order option with banana plugs.
Q11. The pin tip of the 9465 PIN-
TYPE LEADS has become
damaged. Is it possible to
replace the pin tip only?
A11 The measurement leads cannot be repaired.
A new lead must be purchased. 3550 series
BATTERY HiTESTER
Q12. What are the usage limitations
of the 9287 CLIP- TYPE LEADS
and 9467 LARGE CLIP TYPE
LEADS?
A12. The 9287 can only be used with the
3555.Because the 9287 has no barrier at the
clip section, measuring a UPS battery involves
a risk of electric shock and is therefore not
allowed with the 3550 and 3551.The 9467 can
be used with all models, but with the 3551,
measurement results will differ by about
15dgt.in the 3 m Ωrange, due to measurement
lead length.
Q13. Can the lead of the 9466
REMOTE CONTROL SWITCH
incorporated in the 9465 PIN-
TYPE LEADS?
A13. This is not possible. Internally, the
EXT.MEMO/EXT.HOLD and measurement
terminal wiring circuits are insulated, but if the
9466 lead is run together with the 9465 lead,
the 2.3 kV rms rating will no longer apply and
a risk of electric shock exists.
Q14. Can the zero adjustment board
also be used with the 9461 PIN-
TYPE LEADS? Can zero
adjustment be performed by
using a thick metal plate in place
of the zero adjustment board?
A14. The zero adjustment board can also be used
with the 9461.A thick metal plate cannot be
used in place of the zero adjustment board,
because the resistance of that plate would be
measured.
Q15. Can the 9465 PIN- TYPE
LEADS be used with the 3550? A15. Yes, but not for temperature measurements. Zero adjustment must be performed with the
zero adjustment board.

3550 Battery HiTESTER Series
10
6Resistance Measurement…...………………………………………
Q1. Can the impedance of a battery
not be measured with a DC type
ohmmeter?
A1. A DC type ohmmeter applies a constant DC
current and measures the voltage reduction
caused by the load to determine the
resistance. In the case of a battery, its
electromotive force prevents correct
measurement of impedance using such a
setup. In order to eliminate the influence of the
battery's electromotive force, an AC type
ohmmeter must be used.
Q2. Why is testing conducted with a
1kHz AC current? A2. There is no standard or rule that requires battery testing to be conducted with a 1kHz
current. The reason why testing is
conducted at 1kHz is due to the current flow of
existing AC- type resistance meters. AC-
type resistance meters were developed for
measuring contact resistance. Contact
resistance meters conform to IEC512- 2,JIS C
5402,and JIS C 5441,and one item in these
standards calls for testing to be conducted at
1kHz. Accordingly, the majority of AC
resistance meters are designed for 1kHz
testing. Because commercially available
resistance meters are frequently used for
measuring the internal resistance of a battery,
a considerable amount of data on
measurements taken at 1kHz has been
accumulated. Therefore, in order to maintain
compatibility with this previously accumulated
data, we decided to design the 3550 series to
take measurements at the 1kHz frequency.
While we realize the internal resistance of a
battery is frequency- dependent, there are
indications that this characteristic is relatively
flat between 100Hz and 1kHz.
Q3. Can the range used by the 3550
series be changed? A3. It is not possible at present to change the testing range.
Q4. Can the testing current be
changed? A4. If the testing current is changed, the voltmeter gain must also be changed at the same time.
Changing the gain is an extremely delicate
proposition, since it is accompanied by
changes in the temperature characteristics,
noise characteristics, etc. Therefore, it is not
possible to change the testing current. We
will study this issue when we develop future
AC m ΩHiTESTERs.

3550BatteryHiTESTERSeries
11
Q5. Describe the equivalent circuit
for a battery. A5. The equivalent circuit for a battery is shown below. In the diagram, "E" represents the
electromotive force, "L" represents the
inductance of the plates and conductors,
"R1"represents the resistance of the electrode
plates and the electrolytic
solution,"R2"represents the resistance of the
movement of the electric charge between the
electrode plates and the electrolytic solution,
and "C" represents the electric double layer
capacitance. This shows that internally, a
battery exhibits not just resistance, but also
impedance that includes capacitance and
inductance. Synchronous wave detection is
a method of measuring just the real
impedance. The 3550 series uses
synchronous wave detection to measure real
impedance.
Q6. Is the resistance displayed by
the 3550 series impedance, or
is it pure resistance?
A.6 A battery's internal resistance is the vector
sum of a resistance component and a
reactance component. Because the 3550
series uses the synchronous wave detection
method, the reactance is eliminated by analog
means and only the (real) resistance
component is displayed. Therefore, the
measured value is not impedance, nor is it
pure resistance; it is the real component of the
impedance (the effective resistance).
Q7. What is "synchronous wave
detection?" A7. This method detects the test signal by using a reference signal that is in phase with the test
current. This method is much like a type of
filter circuit. This method demonstrates
excellent frequency selectivity characteristics
for the frequency of the reference signal.
Another characteristic of this method is that it
cancels out the reactance component (the
false portion of the impedance), eliminating
that component from the test results.

3550 Battery HiTESTER Series
12
Q8. Why do the 3550 series use the
AC four-terminal method? A8. There are basically two general methods for checking battery deterioration: the
charging/discharging test method, and
measuring the internal resistance. Each
method has its own strengths and
weaknesses. The charging/discharging test
method is capable of accurately measuring
the discharge capacity of the battery. On the
other hand, this method requires a
considerable amount of time. Measuring the
internal resistance, however, evaluates the
deterioration of the battery on the basis of the
correlation between the measured internal
resistance and the discharge capacity of the
battery. While the accuracy of the measured
results suffers somewhat, the test can be
conducted very quickly and the test equipment
can be fairly small. In resistance
measurement, the four- terminal method is
used to measure items, such as batteries, that
have very low resistance. The AC four-
terminal method is illustrated below. The
input impedance of the voltmeter is large, so
practically no test current flows to the
voltmeter. As a result, it is possible to
measure the resistance of the subject only,
with the lead resistance and the contact
resistance excluded.
Q9. Why does the zero adjustment
board have to be removed at
least 10 cm from the unit when
performing zero adjustment?
A9. The electromagnetic field generated in the
loop formed by the zero adjustment board and
the measurement leads would otherwise
affect operation of the unit. Care must also
be taken not to have any other metal objects
in the vicinity of the zero adjustment board,
because magnetic influences can falsify the
measurement.
Q10. After performing zero
adjustment with the 9460 CLIP-
TYPE LEADS WITH
TEMPERATURE SENSOR, is it
possible to change leads and
take a measurement with the
9465 PIN- TYPE LEADS?
A10. Measurement precision is assured only with
the same lead that was used for zero
adjustment. However, in the 300 mΩ,3
Ω,and 30 Ωranges, the measurement lead
influence can be largely disregarded.
Q11. Performing renewed zero
adjustment every time is a
bother. Is it possible to retain
adjustment data while the unit is
turned off?
A11 Zero adjustment data are written to volatile
memory and are therefore lost when power is
turned off. Zero adjustment must be
performed every time when the unit was
turned off.
Q12. Why is the display value
different from the calibration
value when performing
calibration? *See also Q 6 and
A 6.
A12. [Resistance measurement]
Is the AC 1 kHz resistance value being used
for calibration? The AC calibration value and
DC calibration value do not necessarily match.
The DC calibration value is a true resistance
value, whereas the AC 1 kHz calibration value
is an rms value. These will normally be
R1 to R4: Lead resistance and contact
resistance
C: Coupling Capacitor

3550BatteryHiTESTERSeries
13
different. The 3550, 3555, 3551, and 3225
measure the AC 1 kHz resistance value.
[Voltage measurement]
Is the SOURCE- Hi terminal connected to the
generator? When all four terminals are
connected, the constant current generated by
the 3550 series unit may cause malfunction,
preventing correct voltage from being output.
Information about this point is included in the
manual.
Q13. When measuring a battery
connected to and operating
UPS, do ripple voltage
components caused by the
charging process affect the
measurement?
A13. The 3550 and 3551 use noise canceling
technology to reduce the influence of ripple
voltage components on the measurement.
However, if ripple voltage components are
very large, the indication may fluctuate and
will not be correct. The allowable ripple
voltage rating is listed at the end of the
documentation for the 3550 and 3551.
Q14. Why does the 9465 pin type
lead use curled cables? A14. Resistance measurements can be affected by electromagnetic induction from nearby
metallic objects. This problem becomes
more pronounced when small resistance
values are to be measured and when the loop
area of the divided section of the
measurement leads is large. The 9465 uses
curled cables to keep the loop area of the
divided section as small as possible.
7Voltage Measurement…...…………..………………………………
Q1. Why is voltage measurement
necessary? A1. Voltage measurement is performed simultaneously with the measurement of
specific gravity during maintenance for lead
storage batteries and alkaline storage
batteries. If the voltage is extremely low, the
battery may be damaged (it may have in
internal short circuit). In addition, if the
voltage is high, it is possible that a charger or
another battery connected in series with the
battery in question could suffer damage. The
3550 and 3551 detects battery deterioration
through the battery's internal resistance, and
checks whether the battery is damaged
according to its voltage and temperature (only
3550). The internal resistance of a battery
differs during charging and recharging. The
3555 check for excessive discharging
according to the battery voltage .The 3550
and 3551 also checks whether the battery is
damaged in the same manner.
Refer to the reference material
at the end of guide.

3550 Battery HiTESTER Series
14
End of a 9640 Clip-type Lead with
Temperature Sensor
8Temperature Measurement…...……………………………………
Q1. Why is temperature measured? A1. Temperature measurement is important for
two reasons. One is because the internal
resistance changes according to the
temperature. This allows workers to use the
temperature of the electrolytic solution to
determine the extent of battery deterioration.
Another reason is to discover damaged
batteries. A battery with an internal short
circuit will reveal itself by heating up when it is
charged. Although the 3550 and 3551 is not
able to measure the temperature of the
electrolytic solution, it is able to measure the
temperature of the terminal, which is close to
the temperature of the electrolytic solution.
However, in a 12V lead storage battery,6
individual batteries are connected in series;
we have heard that even if one of those
batteries is damaged internally, the terminal
temperature does not rise very much.
Q2. Why is the temperature
measurement sensor inside the
probe?
A2. This was done in order to avoid adding to the
work that the worker must do. Because the
temperature sensor is built into the test probe,
the terminal temperature can be measured
simply by clipping the probe onto the terminal.
In addition, measuring the terminal
temperature rather than the ambient
temperature provides a clearer picture of the
degree of battery deterioration.
9Batteries………………….…...………………………………………
Q1. Does the internal resistance of a
battery change after charging or
after discharging?
A1. Yes. When measuring the internal
resistance of a battery with the 3555,the most
accurate measurements can be taken when
the battery is fully charged. Because
maintenance is performed on a UPS with the
3550 and 3551 when the battery is in a
normally charged state, this issue is not a
concern.
Q2. Does the internal resistance of a
battery change according to its
temperature?
A2. The internal resistance does change
according to the temperature. Sample
measurements taken by HIOKI for reference
purposes are included at the end of this sales
guide in the paper on "Applying Low
Resistance Measurement Techniques to the
Evaluation of the Performance of Backup
Batteries."
Refer to the reference material
at the end of guide.

3550BatteryHiTESTERSeries
15
Q3. What is the relationship
between the charging interval
and the internal resistance, and
between the number of cycles
and the internal resistance?
A3. When a battery is charged for a long time, or
as the charging/discharging cycle is
repeated, the discharge capacity of the
battery decreases due to corrosion on the
plates and loss of electrolytic solution. An
example discharge curve is illustrated below.
The curve differs according to the battery
type. It is also said that temperature has an
effect on how fast a battery deteriorates.
Q4. Does the AC signal used for
measurement cause battery
deterioration?
A4. Normal small- size batteries and larger
batteries will not be affected, because the
measurement current is very small (50 mA)
and the 1 kHz AC signal does not cause a
chemical reaction in the battery.
Q5. What is the importance of the
specific gravity? A5. For wet- type lead storage batteries and alkaline storage batteries, the temperature of
the electrolytic solution and the specific
gravity are measured and used to evaluate
the deterioration of the battery. Specific
gravity is measured with a densitometer, but
because the value changes according to the
temperature of the solution, this value is
customarily converted to the value at a
temperature of 20°C and then compared to
the value specified by the manufacturer of
the battery. If the specific gravity is low, it
indicates that the battery is depleted and that
its discharge capacity is low. The internal
resistance of the battery tends to be high in
this case. Conversely, if the specific gravity
is high, it indicates that the battery is
overcharged.
Q6. What types of batteries can be
tested by the 3550 series? A.6 Basically, the 3550 series can be used to test any type of battery. However, batteries with
a resistance of several hundred mΩ, such as
button- type batteries, will be out of range.
The 3550 series also can not be used to test
batteries with a total voltage of 50V(3551:60V
DC) or more, such as batteries used in
industrial machinery. Although lithium ion
batteries can also be tested, those that are
part of a package are connected in series to
a PTC device as a safety mechanism. This
device has an internal resistance of over
100mIn addition, there is also an FET for
current control that is inserted in the path of

3550 Battery HiTESTER Series
16
the current; this FET has an ON resistance of
over 30m Ω. These values are large
enough in comparison with the internal
resistance of the battery that they cannot be
ignored. The difference in resistance
between a good lithium ion battery and a
deteriorated lithium ion battery is also
sometimes quite small compared to other
batteries. Some nickel- metal hydride
batteries also include a PTC device.
Q7. What protection measures are
used for rechargeable nickel-
metal hydride batteries and
rechargeable lithium- ion
batteries?
A7. Nickel- metal hydride batteries have a low
hazard rating and are normally only fitted with
a safety valve to prevent explosion.
Lithium- ion batteries use organic electrolyte
and have a high energy density. Under
extreme conditions, such batteries may
explode or ignite. Therefore the following
protection measures are used: (1) Shutdown
separator (Separator holes close when
temperature rises above a certain level.)
(2)PTC elements (Resistance rises when
temperature rises.) (3)Safety valve
(Reduces internal pressure in battery.)
(4)Protection circuit (FET or similar is used
for temperature, current, or voltage control.)
Q8. What is sulfation occurring at
the electrodes of lead batteries? A8. Lead sulfate (PbSO4, and insulating substance) is deposited on the electrodes,
which reduces their effective area and
increases the impedance of the battery.
Q9. What is the dry- up
phenomenon? A9. The reduction of electrolyte is called the dry- up phenomenon. It occurs mainly when a
battery is overcharged.
Q10. What is dendrite? A10. Dendrite is a leaf- shaped crystalline metal
growth that can occur on the electrodes of a
battery. When it advances, the electrodes
may become short- circuited.
Q11. What is the memory effect? A11 When a battery is repeatedly discharged
partially and then charged again, the so-
called memory effect can develop which
causes a reduction in apparent capacity of
the battery. This occurs mainly with alkaline
type batteries (Ni-Cd, Ni-MH), not with lead
type and lithium-ion type batteries. The
memory effect can be countered by several
cycles of deep discharge and full charge.
Q12. What are rechargeable alkaline
batteries? A12. The term rechargeable alkaline batteries normally refers to nickel-cadmium (Ni- Cd)
batteries.
Q13. The resistance value of a
rechargeable lead battery differs
with every measurement.
What is the cause for this?
A13. The following causes are possible:
(1)The probe is applied to different points on
the battery terminals.
(2)The battery charge condition differs.

3550BatteryHiTESTERSeries
17
(3)The battery terminals are not in proper
contact, so that measurement is not carried
out for all 4 terminals.
(4)The measurement lead is broken.
(5)The battery temperature is different.
(6)There is a large ripple voltage across the
battery terminals.
10 Miscellaneous………….…...………………………………………
Q1. Up to what capacity is testing
possible? A1. It depends on how many valid digits the user requires. Batteries have a smaller internal
resistance the larger their capacity is. As a
guide, in the case of a lead storage battery with
a capacity of about 400Ah, the resistance is
approximately 0.5mΩ. When measured with the
3550 or 3551,the result would be about 50
counts or 500 counts. Alkaline storage batteries
have an even smaller resistance.
Q2. What is the relationship
between the deteriorated state
and the internal resistance?
A2. According to a JAPAN STORAGE BATTERY
ASSOCIATION Technical Reference (SBA3508-
1984), once the capacity drops below 80%, it
decreases at an accelerating pace; therefore,
the point at which the capacity drops below
80%is regarded as a guide for determining
when a battery has reached the end of its
operational life .At this point, the internal
resistance of the battery is about 1.5 to 2 times
greater than when it was a new battery.
Accordingly, even if you do not know what the
internal resistance of the battery should be
when the battery is in good condition, it is
possible to measure the internal resistance at
regular intervals and use the extent of the trend
towards increased resistance to estimate the
deterioration of the battery.
Q3. Can a battery other than an
alkaline battery be used for the
power supply?
A3. Manganese dry cells can also be used.
Although ni-cad dry cells can also probably be
used, the system shuts down soon after the
battery indicator first appears, so from the
standpoint of saving data, we cannot
recommend the use of ni-cad batteries.
Q4. Aside from AC resistance
measurement, what are
methods are available for
diagnosing batteries?
A4. There are basically two methods for evaluating
the deterioration of a battery. One is to directly
measure the discharge capacity of the battery
by conducting charging/discharging testing.
The other is to measure the internal resistance
and use that information to estimate the
deterioration of the battery. There are
furthermore two method for conducting
charging/discharging testing: discharging a fully
charged battery until it is completely discharged,
and discharging a fully charged battery for a few
minutes and then using that information to

3550 Battery HiTESTER Series
18
estimate when the battery will be fully
discharged. There are also two methods for
measuring resistance. One is the AC
measurement method, and the other entails
causing a momentary short circuit between the
battery terminals and then calculating the
resistance based on the drop in voltage. All of
these different methods have their advantages
and disadvantages.
Q5. Where are the 3550 series
used? A5. The 3550 and 3551 are primarily used for UPS maintenance. The 3555 seem to be used in
service departments that service small
electronic devices.
Q6. Do you have materials for users
to use to calibrate the testers?
Are there any points that require
special consideration?
A.6 A calibration manual is available. Contact our
International Sales and Marketing Department.
A standard resistor is used for calibration.
Because the calibration values are slightly
different for DC and AC, always use the
calibration value for AC 1kHz when calibrating
the 3550 series.
Q7. Is testing in accordance with
IEC512- 2, JIS C 5402,and JIS
C 5441 possible?
A7. The requirements of these standards are as
follows:
1.Frequency:1kHz ±200Hz
2.Ampere execution:1A or less
3.Voltage peak:20mV or less
4.Accuracy:within ±10%
The 3550 series fail to satisfy No.3. Therefore,
testing in accordance with these standards for
contact resistance testing is not possible.
Q8. Can these units measure the
contact resistance of a relay? A8. Although they can measure contact resistance, they cannot do so in accordance with the test
standards mentioned above.
Q9. Can you provide a block
diagram for the 3550 series
testing systems and digital
systems?
A9. These block diagrams are provided at the end
of this guide. Note that the 3555 is not capable
of temperature measurement.
Q10. I would like to retrieve the
comparator output. Is it
possible to modify the units in
order to do so?
A10. No. At present, we would recommend that you
use the 3225 and the 3236 in combination.
The 3225 model revision was planned with this
capability in mind.
Q11. Is it possible to collect data from
the batteries that pass testing
and use those data as the
comparation values?
A11 It should be possible for the user to set these
values. Through battery maintenance it is
necessary to collect data on a regular basis,
and it should be possible to estimate the degree
of deterioration in a battery on the basis of the
rise in the curve of its internal resistance data.
Q12. What do "CE" and "CAT - I"
mean? A12. The CE mark displayed on the unit indicates that the product complies with the CE mark
requirements for safety, which are necessary for
marketing a product in the EU. The "CAT- I"
Refer to the reference material at the end of guide.

3550BatteryHiTESTERSeries
19
indication shows the installation category
(voltage proof category) of the product. UPS
battery installations correspond to category I.
The following four installation categories are
defined. Installation category I: Signal levels,
special equipment or part of equipment,
communication equipment, electronic
technology, etc. Installation category II: Local
levels, tools, portable equipment, etc.
Installation category III: Distribution levels, fixed
installations Installation category IV Primary
power levels, power lines, cable systems, etc.
The 9287 and 9467 do not comply with CE
marking requirements.
Q13. To which point of the battery
terminals should the pin type
leads be applied?
A13. The resistance of battery terminals is higher
than commonly assumed and may differ
depending on the contact point. Be sure to
apply the pin tips always to the same position.
Q14. Which points should be
considered when measuring the
impedance of a battery pack?
A14. Many battery packs have protective circuitry
that is located between the battery and the
external terminals. Some representative types
of protection circuits are: (1)PTC element
(Resistance rises when temperature rises.);
(2)Diode; (3)Battery control IC.
If only a PTC element is installed, the measured
value will be the combined resistance of the
PTC element and battery impedance. If diodes
or a battery control IC are installed, correct
impedance measurement is not possible.
Q15. How can the 3550 and 3551
measure the impedance of a
battery that is being charged?
Why can the 3555 not measure
the impedance of a battery that
is being charged?
A15. The 3550 and 3551 incorporate bandpass filters
which remove the influence of signals (such as
UPS ripple voltage) other than the
measurement frequency. The 3555 does not
have such bandpass filter circuitry and can
therefore not reliably measure a battery in a
noisy environment such as in a UPS. The
9461 pin type lead supplied with the 3555 also
has no barrier and is not allowed for
measurements in hazardous equipment such as
a UPS.
Q16. Can IEC R6 rechargeable ni-
cad batteries be used in place of
IEC R6 alkaline batteries?
A16. Rechargeable ni-cad batteries can be used, but
the unit does not have a facility for recharging
such battries. A separate charger is required.
Q17. How long can the unit operate
on six IEC R6 manganese
batteries?
A17. 3550:about 2.5 hours
3551:about 1.5 hours
Q18. Is there a carrying case for the
AC adapter? A18. The carrying case for the logic probe of the 8800 series has just the right size and can be
used for the AC adapter.
Q19. Can the LCD be equipped for
backlighting? A19. The LCD used in the 3551 is a reflective type that cannot be adapted to backlighting.

3550 Battery HiTESTER Series
20
1Transferring Data Stored in the Memory of the 3550 or
3551 BATTERY HiTESTER to a Personal Computer ……….. 21
Windows NT4.0,Windows 95/EXCEL(Microsoft)
2Technical Report: To Evaluate the Performance of
Secondary Batteries Using Low Resistance
Measurement Techniques ………… 23
Proceedings of 7th Shinshu meeting of SICE, p.p.1-4 (June 1996)
3Allowable ripple voltage graph ………… 30
4Block diagram for the 3550 ………… 31
References