| The Megger BITE 3 Battery Impedance Test Equipment
determines the health of lead-acid cells up to 2000 Ah by
taking measurements of the most important battery
parameters. The BITE 3 measures cell impedance, an
internal ohmic test, cell voltage, intercell connection
resistance and ripple current. And, for the first time in a
battery instrument, the BITE 3 measures float current and
the harmonic content of the ripple current. There is even a
built-in spectrum analyzer to show the harmonic content
of the ripple current. It has firmware that can be upgraded
through the Internet and supports multiple languages.
The BITE 3 is one of the easiest instruments to use. Its
measurements, along with temperature, specific gravity and
other battery data, can provide the best basis for
evaluating the overall health of batteries from terminal
plate to terminal plate and to a lesser extent, the charger
(from ripple current and its harmonic content.) Megger
recommends that the BITE 3 be made part of a
comprehensive battery maintenance program with readings
taken and recorded semi-annually for flooded, lead-acid
cells and quarterly for VRLA.
Unlike load-cycle testing which is expensive, nonpredictive
and time-consuming (but does provide actual
capacity data), the BITE 3 is quick, reliable and easy to
use. With a rapid test time, one person can easily, quickly
and precisely measure cell and string parameters without
taking the system off line. Furthermore, in as little as four
keystrokes, the instrument is ready to take battery
measurements (five, if the power button is included). The
processor of the BITE 3 uses a Windows® CE Operating
System and can store more than 1 million cells’ data in any
string configuration. It is menu-driven that is easy to
navigate. Its unique data analysis screens provide
immediate feedback on the status of cell impedance, (see
Figure 1, Battery Analysis Report). The first part of the
report is the numerical data. The second part is the
impedance deviation graph and the third part is the
impedance deviation graph but in ascending impedance
order. The ascending impedance graph groups the weakest
cells together for easier analysis. With the optional printer,
this report can be printed by the user and left at the site as
a record for future reference. |