A BMS (Battery Management System) protects the battery from unsafe conditions like overcharge, over-discharge, and excessive current. Learn more in our guide to BMS protection.

The BMS monitors and controls battery operation, shutting the battery down if limits are exceeded to prevent damage or unsafe conditions. See how this works in our BMS protection guide.

Depth of discharge refers to how much of the battery’s capacity is used during each cycle, which directly affects lifespan. See our explanation of depth of discharge.

Deeper discharges generally reduce cycle life, while shallower usage extends battery lifespan. This is explained in our depth of discharge guide.

Continuous current is what the battery can supply steadily, while peak current is a short burst for startup loads. Learn more in our current ratings guide.

Peak current is critical for starting devices like inverters or motors that require a short surge above normal running load. See our continuous vs peak current guide.

Internal resistance is the resistance within the battery that affects how efficiently it can deliver power under load. Learn more in our internal resistance guide.

Higher internal resistance can cause voltage drop and reduced performance under load, especially in high-demand applications. See our internal resistance explanation.

Cycle life refers to how many charge/discharge cycles a battery can complete, while calendar life is how it ages over time regardless of use. Learn more in our calendar vs cycle life guide.

Batteries degrade due to chemical ageing and usage cycles, even when not actively used. See our battery lifespan guide.

Voltage drop is mainly caused by cable length, cable size, and current draw within the system. Learn more in our voltage drop guide.

Cable size must be matched to current draw and cable length to minimise voltage drop and ensure safe operation. See our cable sizing guide.

Lithium batteries follow specific charging stages to safely and efficiently reach full charge. Learn more in our charging stages guide.

This is often caused by the BMS activating to protect the battery from unsafe conditions such as overload or temperature limits. Learn more in our BMS protection guide.

If current limits are exceeded, the BMS will typically shut the battery down to protect it. Learn more in our current ratings guide.

A battery cycle is one full discharge and recharge of the battery, which contributes to overall lifespan. See our cycle life guide.

Cycle life is influenced by depth of discharge, charging conditions, temperature, and usage patterns. Learn more in our depth of discharge guide.

Battery efficiency refers to how much stored energy can be effectively used, with lithium batteries typically offering higher efficiency than lead-acid.

Voltage sag is a temporary drop in voltage when a load is applied, often influenced by internal resistance. See our internal resistance guide.

Battery capacity refers to how much energy a battery can store, usually measured in amp-hours (Ah) or watt-hours (Wh).

C-rate describes the charge or discharge current relative to battery capacity, helping define how fast a battery can safely operate.

State of charge indicates how full a battery is, expressed as a percentage of total capacity.

State of health reflects the overall condition of a battery compared to its original capacity and performance.

Performance is influenced by temperature, load, internal resistance, and system design. See our internal resistance guide.

Voltage determines compatibility with your system and affects how power is delivered to connected devices.

Batteries store energy through chemical reactions that release electrical energy when needed.

Runtime is affected by load, battery capacity, voltage, and system efficiency. See our depth of discharge guide.

Usable capacity is the portion of total capacity that can be safely used without negatively affecting battery lifespan. See our depth of discharge guide.