What’s all the fun about lithium-ion batteries? Why is everyone talking about it and its benefits? The thing is, lithium-ion batteries are honestly worth the hype. In this article, you will understand the comparison between this battery and other alternative batteries you can use, especially as it concerns emergency lighting.
Indeed, emergency lighting batteries have to be long-lasting and take little to maintain. Before we proceed, you can consider buying a lithium-ion battery from trusted sources, like the LiFePO4 battery supplier, so you are not left out of this many benefits.
Here are different kinds of batteries that can be used in emergency lighting. They include
1. Lead-acid battery
These are among the oldest and commonly used in emergency lighting but are rarely used in this modern age. This battery doesn’t last very long, requires a lot of maintenance, and is not very eco-friendly.
2. Nickel Cadmium
Cadmium is very harmful or toxic and is even banned by the EU. However, this is still used in stand-alone emergency lighting located inside the fitting.
3. Nickel-metal Hydride
These batteries are suitable alternatives for Nickel-Cadmium batteries. This battery is slimmer than NiCd cells and has some benefits in emergency lighting.
4. Lithium-ion battery
Lithium-ion batteries and Lithium-ion phosphate batteries are the most suitable for emergency lighting compared to the kinds above. The several advantages of lithium-ion batteries include.
1. It doesn’t lose charge as quickly as all the other kinds of batteries and has a very high charge efficiency
While batteries charge, energy is lost. The charge efficiency of Lithium-ion and Nickel Cadmium batteries is high. Still, the NiCd battery gets to a stage where the charging efficiency gets lowered to about 85%, which is not very good for a battery used in an emergency light fitting.
2. It lasts long
With LiFePO4 batteries, their overall performance doesn’t diminish as quickly as other batteries. It can last for about nine years, and it’ll still work as fine as when you just got it.
3. It can withstand extreme temperature
The lithium-ion batteries have more tolerance for high temperatures than the other batteries. It can typically withstand temperatures of about 60°C and below -20°C. The other batteries will not deliver charge or work as efficiently at these temperatures.
4. It’s eco-friendly
As mentioned earlier, Cadmium is a very harmful element and is unsafe for living things. To reduce toxicity, it is combined with other elements. Lithium batteries are safe for use. It doesn’t release any harmful gases into the atmosphere and is sustainable and easily recycled.
Lithium-ion batteries are well known and favored for safety benefits. Some people may argue that it costs so much, but it is economical. It takes a lot of money to acquire one, but that’s the only amount you’d be spending. The other batteries may cost less, but in the long run, you’d end up paying more than you bargained for on maintenance and installation costs.
In conclusion, lithium-ion batteries are one of the best if not the best option for subway emergency lighting.