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Low maintenance is key to aircraft batteries

A Saft Industrial Batteries product story
Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Jul 3, 2003

Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer has upgraded to Saft ULM rechargeable nickel-cadmium batteries for all new deliveries of its ERJ 145 family of regional jet airliners.

Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer has upgraded to Saft ultra-low-maintenance (ULM) rechargeable nickel-cadmium (Ni-Cd) batteries to provide onboard power for engine starting and electrical systems backup for all new deliveries of its ERJ 145 family of regional jet airliners.

The 50-seat ERJ 145, launched in 1989 as a stretched and jet-engined version of the EMB 120 Brasilia, has proved to be a runaway sales success, with over 800 ordered.

Major customers include Continental Express, AMR Eagle and France's Regional Airlines.

The new ERJ 145 battery, a 44Ah unit part number 442CH1, is the first Saft ULM battery to be approved by Embraer as original equipment for its aircraft.

The switch to ULM technology enables Embraer to take advantage of a higher capacity battery, lighter in weight per ampere-hour, with extended maintenance intervals and superior low temperature performance.

With battery maintenance intervals on the ERJ 145 now extended the ULM batteries offer a significant reduction in life cycle costs compared with conventional Ni-Cd batteries.

The key to the ULM battery's improved performance and life cycle cost is its plastic bonded negative electrode (PBE).

This dramatically reduces battery water consumption by reducing the current drawn during overcharge.

The nonsintered negative plate weighs less and provides better energy density.

At the same time, the ULM design features an enhanced sintered positive electrode combined with a special electrolyte optimised to increase charge efficiency.

All of these features combine to double the interval between maintenance checks.

Saft's ULM technology is becoming established as the standard for Ni-Cd aviation batteries requiring extended maintenance intervals, and since its launch in 1995 over 6000 ULM batteries have been put into service by both large and small aircraft operators.

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