Rechargeable batteries may seem like a relatively new innovation, but their origins date back to the mid-19th century work of French physicist Gaston Planté and the development of the lead-acid battery. Although its design has been refined over the years, lead-acid batteries are still widely used today, thanks in large part to their low cost of manufacturing.
Yet there are drawbacks to the lead-acid approach, including low power density and environmental concerns about lead’s toxicity. That means challenges for battery manufacturers as they endeavor to stay current (no pun intended) with industry trends.
Innovative testing tools from EA Elektro-Automatik (now part of Tektronix) are transforming high-power lead-acid battery manufacturing. Source: Tektronix Inc. According to test and measurement solution provider Tektronix, one leading U.S. battery manufacturer has begun to tackle these challenges head-on with innovative testing tools that are revolutionizing high-power lead-acid battery manufacturing.
Using a bipolar architecture that reduces lead usage by 40% compared to traditional methods, the company makes batteries designated as “Group 31” for dimensions specified by Battery Council International (BCI). Group 31 batteries are known for resilience in rugged environments and efficient power delivery, and find applications in commercial trucking, cell-tower backups, marine vessels, powered mobility equipment, remote outposts and renewable energy installations such as solar and wind farms.
Yet the company’s use of traditional testing equipment limited its ability to expand, due to production bottlenecks, energy inefficiencies and space constraints. It found an answer in what Tektronix calls a “game-changing” series of battery testers, the EA-BT 20000 from EA Elektro-Automatik (which became part of the Tektronix family in January 2024).
The series offers triple-output capabilities and high-power density, plus fast transmission speeds and efficient regenerative capabilities to ensure rapid throughput while minimizing energy consumption. By implementing a combination of various EA-BT 20000 series units, the company was able to streamline its testing processes, eliminate the need for multiple standalone testers and significantly reduce floor space requirements.
As Tektronix sees it, the battery manufacturer’s partnership with EA Elektro-Automatik stands as a testament to the transformative potential of innovative test tools in overcoming industry challenges — including the evolution of lead-acid battery manufacturing towards a cleaner, more efficient future.
To read a full case study on the advantages the company was able to leverage through the implementation of the EA-BT 20000 series, click here.
