Battery Selection and Safety Best Practices with Alex Norman

Today we’re diving into a critical yet sometimes overlooked component that powers so many of the devices we rely on: batteries. Batteries are the heartbeat of countless electronic products, from medical devices and electric vehicles to consumer gadgets and industrial systems. Choosing the right battery is not a one-size-fits-all decision. It requires a keen understanding of the application, performance needs, and environmental demands. The right selection can make the difference between a product that excels in reliability and one that, quite literally, fails to deliver.  But there’s more to batteries than just selecting the right chemistry or capacity. Safety is paramount. Poor battery selection, design, or management can lead to performance issues, overheating, or catastrophic failures. As we’ve all seen in headlines, battery malfunctions can result in recalls, damage to brand reputation, or, worse, safety hazards for users.  To shed light on this vital topic, we’re joined by an expert in the field of battery technology. Alex Norman is a Battery Management System Designer at Pro Technologies, a well-established and trusted custom battery pack manufacturer, providing engineering capabilities from concept through production. Their leading edge manufacturing facility and headquarters is based in Pilot Mountain, North Carolina. Alex has deep experience in Printed Circuit Board Design, Product Development, Battery Management Systems and more. Alex is also a content creator, focusing mostly on electronics, battery, and BMS content available on his LinkedIn page and YouTube channel.Today, we’re going to explore how to choose the right battery for your assembly, best practices for integration, and how to mitigate potential safety risks.  So, if you care about keeping your products powered, reliable, and safe, don’t bolt just yet – this podcast on batteries is positively charged with insights! Stick around and top off your battery knowledge!Alex's Contact Info:Alex Normananorman@eetengineer.comProTechnologies, Inc.http://protechnologies.comAlex's YouTube Channel:https://www.youtube.com/@eetengineerChapters:00:00:00 Choosing the Right Battery for Electronic Assemblies00:02:44 Exploring Battery Technology and Safety Concerns00:05:21 Starting a YouTube Channel: Journey and Growth00:07:55 Performance and Safety: Alkaline vs. Lithium-Based Batteries00:10:28 The Future of Sodium-Ion Batteries vs. Lithium-Ion00:13:12 Causes of Samsung Phone Battery Fires00:16:01 Advancements in Solid State Battery Technology00:18:44 Dangers of Swollen Lithium Batteries and Battery Safety00:21:19 Battery Charging Myths and Optimization Techniques00:24:04 Importance of Battery Management Systems (BMS)00:26:51 Primary vs. Secondary Batteries Explained00:29:28 Comparing Performance: Alkaline vs Rechargeable Batteries00:32:11 Impact of Temperature on Battery Performance00:34:51 Optimizing Battery Performance in Extreme Cold00:37:28 Lead Acid vs. Lithium Iron Phosphate: Battery Safety and Advancements00:39:56 Optimizing Battery Performance in Electric Cars00:42:36 Advanced Lithium Iron Phosphate Cells  00:45:24 Battery Regulations Impact and Safety Standards00:48:05 Battery Safety and Standards in Consumer Electronics00:50:49 Quality and Safety in Consumer Vs. Industrial Battery Cells00:53:25 The Importance of Proper Battery Recycling00:56:05 Lithium Iron Phosphate vs. Nickel Metal Hydride Batteries00:59:51 Humor and Technology: Creating Engaging Content01:01:10 Get Involved with Reliability Matters Podcast

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Reliability Matters is a podcast on the subject of reliability of circuit assemblies. Reliability "best practices" and success stories are discussed. This podcast features interviews with experts in the electronic assembly industry.All electronic production segments which effect product reliability are on the table. This includes contamination, coating, cleanliness assessment, inspection, building for harsh environments, reflow, printing, failure analysis, board fabrication, and much more.Your Host:Mike Konrad began his career in the electronic assembly equipment industry in 1985. Mike founded Aqueous Technologies in 1992 in response to the Montreal Protocol and the resulting international treaty banning most popular cleaning/defluxing solvents. Mike is an internationally known speaker on the subject of increasing reliability through contamination removal and cleanliness quantification techniques and procedures. Mike was awarded “Distinguish Speaker Status” with SMTA in 2018 and received the “Rich Freiberger Best of Conference Award” in 2019.Mike is a member of the SMTA Global Board of Directors where he is Vice President of Communications. Mike is also Vice President of Technical Programs for the Los Angeles / Orange County SMTA Chapter.Visit the Reliability Matters Podcast Website:https://www.reliabilitymatterspodcast.com