Introduction
LiFePO4 batteries are generally safer than most of the other batteries available in the market because it is more stable packing because of its chemistry which results in reduced fire risk. Many users always wonder about questioning do lifepo4 batteries catch fire? or if lifepo4 explode? or if lifepo battery fire happens, what would be the recommended measures they should follow to prevent potential and hazardous lifepo4 fire risk. The main motive of this blog is to debunk all these myths and explain to you why LiFePO4 technology is safe, secure, and trustworthy, especially when protecting against fire hazards. We will discuss precisely about their functioning, fire prevention, and why they are safe and ideal when it comes to the storage of energy.
How Do LiFePO4 Battery Prevent Fires?
LiFePO4 batteries are stronger for this safety aspect. The cathodes of LiFePO4 are linked to the ions of Lithium. This bond is insulated, which enhances the performance of your batteries. Most other Lithium-ion batteries are bonded with nickel or cobalt. A Battery Management System is where a car’s lithium battery is installed. This is another reason they are safer. This system regularly monitors the functions and other necessary facts about your battery that you must know. These always observe the irregular power supply, irregular battery disconnection or shorted circuit. BMS also shares the expenses of your battery’s charge. This sharing of energy stuck inside and keeps it in both the battery and battery packs after proper Energy storage. If either the cover or the electrode of lithium iron phosphate deteriorate and the electrodes swell up, then overcharged lithium iron phosphate batteries of power, limiting their contacts cut. Also, if the cell is too much overcharged, the result better damage and make your battery bounce back between the lowest or the highest points which do harm. If a battery charges too quickly, the chances of fires exploding increase.
Real Risks vs. Perceived Risks of LiFePO4 Battery Fires
LiFePO4 battery fires are typically not common, and this misconception is largely based on incidents involving other types of lithium-ion batteries. Many people think that lithium-steel batteries are prone to themselves catching fire. This is not at all reflected by the facts about LiFePO4 batteries and their safety records. They are known explicitly for their excellent thermal stability and are widely believed not to catch fire or explode.
While all batteries have some amount of fire risk, LiFePO4 batteries have extremely minimal fire risk. LiFePO4 batteries were significantly less likely to catch fire, melt, or explode when put under high-stress tests. The high-stress rates were overcharging and short-circuiting, the types of experiments performed by the Department of Energy, as well as thermal exposure. All these tests saw relatively no occurrence of thermal runaway.
The statistical data provided by the Battery Safety Council reported that incidents like LiFePO4 battery fires were far fewer than those of cobalt and nickel batteries. When incidents happen, they are typically involved with improper handling of the battery or a battery manufacturing defect, not the battery chemistry.
Typical safety tests conducted by certified organizations and independent agents bring out the most accurate results. Tests conducted by the Department of Transportation saw that LiFePO4 batteries’ occurrence of burning is very rare, ideally suited for any application that needs a battery. When there is proper insulation and maintenance of batteries, the chances of it catching fire approaches zero. It consequently makes these batteries a popular choice for any application.
Causes of LiFePO4 Battery Fires (If Any)
LiFePO4 batteries have outstanding safety records. However, like all technologies, there is the possibility of some risks. Knowing these potential causes can help to minimize the chances of fires and ensure safety. The primary culprits of LiFePO4 battery fires are usually related to improper handling, external damage, improper storage, or manufacturing defects.
- Exposing them to high temperatures:Both extremely high or low temperatures are dangerous for batteries. Although LiFePO4 batteries don’t explode due to high temperatures, the heat will melt the separator and can cause combustion, or the separator breaks and forms an internal short circuit. The manufacturers ensure quality control to prevent any manufacturing defects.
- Mishandling and overcharging: One of the most common reasons is improper charging. A LiFePO4 battery overheats when it is overcharged using incompatible devices. However, the usage of Battery Management Systems(BMS) ensures eliminating the chances of overheating due to overcharging by cutting the power when the battery is at its maximum voltage provided.
- Physical damage:The most common reason battery catches fire includes physical damage. Any punctures or crushing from an external impact will instigate the battery to catch fire.
- Manufacturing Defects: Manufacturing defects can sometimes cause safety issues. Having that in mind, when buying, make sure you buy the battery from a brand that provides a good warranty like HBOWAwhich gives a minimum of 10 years of warranty and follows international standards procedures, and processes.
While all of these potential causes exist, it’s important to note that the likelihood of a LiFePO4 battery fire under normal conditions is extremely low. Provided proper precautions are followed, such as using a BMS, preventing physical damage, and obeying the manufacturer’s guidelines for charging and storage, the instance of fire remains minimal. Thus, with the right care taken, the LiFePO4 battery remains a reliable and safe energy storage amenity.
How to Safely Handle LiFePO4 Batteries
LiFePO4 batteries need proper handling to get the best of them. Although they are much safer than most of the lithium-ion batteries, there are still potential risks of fire. Charging and storing batteries are a few things that need extra attention.
Using the right charger: To charge LiFePO4 batteries, you must use the recommended charger. Of course, the voltage and current have to match. Do not attempt to charge your battery beyond its rated capacity to avoid heating quick, even if there is a Battery Management System (BMS) in operation. A LiFePO4 battery, under normal circumstances, cannot be overcharged, but even with a BMS, the charger’s compatibility will minimize any risk of charging malfunctions.
Climate control of storage: For best results and long-lasting, store your batteries in an environment-controlled area. If you buy battery from our reputable brand HBOWA they can be stored at temperatures between -20°C to 55°C (-4°F to 131°F). Higher or lower temperatures can seriously degrade battery performance and reduce its lifespan. The battery is more prone to thermal runaway if it is hot, and it will not be as efficient if it is cold. Also, avoid storing batteries in places of high humidity. Moisture might cause corrosion and internal damage, which might also lead to a fire.
Protecting the battery physically: Always keep the batteries in a safe, unharmed, and undamaged fashion. Do not let them be near sharp objects, heavy machines, and areas where they might get physically shocked. These batteries are more rugged than other lithium-ion types; still, physical abuse could promote internal short circuits and lead to fire. Additionally, see that you store these batteries in some sort of protective casing when they are being stored for long periods.
Maintenance-wise: Check your batteries at regular intervals for any signs of wear, swelling, or damage.
The Role of Battery Management Systems (BMS) in Fire Prevention
If a LiFePO4 battery catches fire, it can be very dangerous. Then how to make a LiFePO4 battery safe and keep it from catching fire? The answer is “Battery Management System (BMS)”.
The primary function of BMS is to maintain various battery parameters like the battery’s health, temperature, voltage, and others in proper order. By providing real-time data and control, the BMS helps stop the battery from entering any unwanted conditions that can lead to thermal runaway, short circuits, and overcharging, which are the three very important factors that lead to fire.
Health Monitoring: The BMS continuously checks on the voltage and current level of each cell within the LiFePO4 battery to check if they are balanced or not. If the cells are not balanced within the battery, the batteries will underperform, generate heat, and eventually catch fire.
Temperature Regulation: Control Over The Temperature, Heat management, and overheating are three important terms that are associated with the battery. Any battery, let alone LiFePO4 battery, heats up while getting charged, and sometimes when it is in use, the temperature of the battery might rise.
Overcharging and over-discharging prevention: Overcharging and over-discharging are the two main causes that lead to the breakdown of the battery and also increase the chances of the battery catching fire. The BMS prevents the LiFePO4 battery from getting overcharged and charged more than its voltage and also prevents overdischarging of the battery. When the battery overcharges, it can increase the heat inside it due to too much energy inside.
Short Circuit Detection: The BMS also checks if there is any short circuit in the battery or can be caused due to the battery. BMSs protect the battery from accident short circuits or overheating that can lead to a fire hazard. If the battery detects a short circuit, the BMS disconnects it from the circuit and prevents it from further damage or overheat.
Real-time performance data: User also receives performance data in real-time and can detect any discrepancy promptly. It also sends an alert through apps or monitoring systems, eliminating any chances of lithium iron phosphate fire hazards from the battery systems.
This safety fire hazard through Lithium iron phosphate battery types is one of the best residential or commercial energy storage types available in the market.
What Makes LiFePO4 Batteries a Safer Choice
LiFePO4 batteries are safer than many available types of Li-ion batteries because of the chemical structure and the packaging of the cells. LiFePO4 is lithium iron phosphate. Due to the chemical structure of LiFePO4 battery, it has nil possibility of heating up; there are less chance of causing a major fire. Usually, the batteries with Co and Ni can cause a fire because these element gets very hot which results in fire, on the contrary Li is heat resistant. So batteries’ cathode made of lithium-ions or lithium iron phosphate are more safe and long lasting.
What Are The Symptoms Of a Battery Going Bad
Though LiFePO4 batteries are considered one of the safest and reliable battery choices, there are still some significant signs to look out for a problem before it develops into a larger and hazardous issue like fire hazard. Knowing the signs of a bad battery will help prevent dangerous situations.
Swelling: One of the primary signs of a problem in the battery is its swelling. Battery swelling usually indicates internal damage and/or gas building up inside the cells. Once the battery starts to expand or get bulk than usual, it is time to disconnect and a professional should be contacted for help.
The battery is Too Hot: Overheating is a clear indication of trouble. LiFePO4 batteries usually run cool, but a higher temperature signals faults in the batteries’ internal cells or its BMS, while it can also signal a malfunction in the outside environment, like over-charging. Once the battery gets too hot to touch, stop using the battery and let it cool down. If the heat does not drop down to the usual temperature, then make sure that the professional gets contacted.
Color change/leaking: The color change in the battery (should not be because of any particular cause like overheating), or liquid leaking from a battery should be a warning sign that the battery’s integrity has been tampered. The wrong choice of casing or internal failure can cause batteries to leak their liquid. Leaking batteries are not to be touched barehanded to avoid any hazards. They should be disposed of with care.
Battery is not holding charge: If a battery is not holding charge or not giving regular voltage readings then it is probably an indication of cell imbalance or malfunctioning of BMS, causing the dampening of the charging/discharging of the battery. And if the discharging or charging is not carried out correctly, the battery is likely to heat up. Stop using the battery and get it checked by a professional.
Safety Measures to Take
In case of battery malfunction or LiFePO4 Battery fire, one should disconnect it from power. The battery should be checked by a specialist prior to endeavoring to charge or release. Consumer should follow manufacturer’s guidelines and instruction to remove the battery safely if the the battery show signs of smoking, burning or swelling!
Assuming charging the battery prompts a set-up, for example, fire or smoke, it is important to immediately clear the space. Utilize a fire douser intended for EV batteries for electrical flames of Class D fire quencher meant for lithium-based flames. It is critical to guarantee appropriate ventilation of the territory eventually to limit the danger of fire. If there should be an occurrence of the matter propping up any longer, one should contact the local emergency offices to manage it.
In any case, what occurs if a burning element gets exorbitantly hot or moves harmed separators? The battery should be prevented from charging and eliminated from the power supply if at any phase of abuse or an unreasonable charge. This action can help prevent potential damage, including the burning of materials or the battery itself because the cell’s pressing factor, and temperature can increase the possibility and risk to lithium iron phosphate fire hazards which cause damage to the surroundings.
Conclusion
If you are searching for a secure and high-efficiency battery that is compatible with your residential solar system or for commercial energy storage or industrial battery storage purposes, then your go-to brand is HBOWA. We provide our customers with the latest variety of LiFePO4 batteries which are reliable and are equipped with the safety features which are elementary.
For more information on the safety guidelines of the battery or to know the perfect battery for your energy requirements, don’t hesitate to contact us. We will guide you with successful and harmless battery use.
