What is BS EN 62877-2 – Vented lead acid accumulators about?
BS EN 62877-2 is the second part of the BS EN 62877 series of international standards that discusses the requirements for water using electrolytes and water for vented lead acid accumulators. The purpose of the vent caps is to allow for the escape of gases formed, hydrogen and oxygen when the battery is charging.
BS EN 62877-2 applies to water for use with vented lead-acid cells and batteries, i.e., water for preparation of electrolytes and for topping up cells or batteries. The purity of refilling water has to meet higher requirements compared to filling electrolytes because the impurities in the operating electrolyte will be gradually increased by the regular addition of water.
BS EN 62877-2 standard lays down requirements of the composition, purity and properties of water in the absence of specific recommendations from the manufacturer.
Who is BS EN 62877-2 – Vented lead acid accumulators for?
BS EN 62877-2 on electrolyte and water for vented lead acid accumulators applies to:
- Manufacturer of lead-acid batteries
- Chemical and electrical engineers
- Quality testing personnel
Why should you use BS EN 62877-2 – Vented lead acid accumulators?
The purpose of the vent caps is to allow for the escape of gases formed, hydrogen and oxygen when the battery is charging. During normal operation, water is lost due to evaporation. In addition, the vent caps allow water and acid levels of the battery to be checked during maintenance.
BS EN 62877-2 provides you with the guidance for the storage of purified water where the water is stored in appropriate vessels, such as vessels made from glass, ebonite, polyethylene, polypropylene or other plastic materials. Hoses are made of PVC, rubber or polyethylene.
BS EN 62877-2 recommends that purified water should always be stored in airtight vessels because carbon dioxide (CO2) which is absorbed from the air increases the electric conductivity of the purified water.
As a user of BS EN 62877-2, you can ensure the requirements for water using electrolytes and water for vented lead acid accumulators.