Condition monitoring of storage batteries in telecom power systems-crisp vs. soft computing methodology

The storage battery is the most important and decisive component in a telecom DC UPS system, determining its reliability and availability performance. The deployment of valve-regulated lead-acid (VRLA) batteries into telecom networks started an era of unbelievable problems and gradual deterioration of credibility. Battery condition monitoring has become a necessity, and not just a way to boost reliability. The behavior of a storage battery resembles, in many respects, that of human behavior, making it difficult or almost impossible to draw viable conclusions or to predict future behavior from the data obtainable. This paper makes a survey of available methods and problems to assess the state-of-health of VRLA batteries and proposes a suitable method based on soft computing principles.