Hioki 3555 [3555] Battery Tester *DISCONTINUED SEE Hioki BT3554*

With improvements in battery technology, therange of applications in portable devices isgrowing rapidly: not only mobile phones, butalso video cameras, laptop computers, and otherelectronic devices. But the performance of thesedevices depends on the lifetime and performanceof the batteries. Because of the wide variation inbattery lifetime depending on the chargingfrequency and pattern of use, battery maintenancetools are indispensable.The 3555 BATTERY HiTESTER provides a simple,on-the-spot assessment of the state of compact storagebatteries, including nicad (Ni-Cd) and nickel metalhydride (Ni-MH) batteries.

Model 3555 uses the same AC four-terminal method* as that used on Models 3550 and 3551for testing lead-acid batteries to measure the internal resistance, and simultaneously measuresthe battery voltage, to give an immediate Pass/Warning/Fail result.* The AC four-terminal method supplies an AC current from the source terminals to the battery beingtested and measures the voltage drop with the sense terminals. This cancels out the contact resistance andlead resistance, and provides accurate measurement of low resistances. See also the enlarged illustrationof the tip of the 9461 Pin-Type Leads.

The Pass/Warning/Fail assessment of a battery's state is based on a six-way combination ofcomparisons against upper and lower resistance limits and a voltage threshold.* This result isthen indicated by LEDs and a beeper.* The comparison threshold values depend on the battery manufacturer, type, and capacity, and these mustbe established by the user.

Once the appropriate comparison values for the battery being tested have been entered orrecalled from memory, measurement is as simple as touching the pin-type probes to the batteryterminals. Since the tester is battery-operated, it can also be used anywhere.

Once a compact storage battery, typically one used in a mobile phone, exceeds themanufacturer's guaranteed limit on charge-discharge cycles, its charging capacity graduallydeteriorates, and the operating time on a single charge may become extremely short.A simple test is therefore required to determine whether an apparently faulty device simplyhas a failing battery. In cases such as these, the 3555 BATTERY HiTESTER gives exactlythe guidance needed to determine whether or not to replace the battery.