What should technicians monitor to prevent thermal runaway?

Monitoring the charging current and voltage is critical to preventing thermal runaway in batteries, particularly lithium-ion batteries. Thermal runaway occurs when a battery generates heat faster than it can dissipate it, often triggered by excessive charging current or voltage.

When the charging current exceeds the manufacturer's specified limits, it can cause overheating, leading to a breakdown of the battery's internal materials and eventually resulting in a thermal event. Similarly, if the voltage during charging is too high, it pushes the battery chemistry beyond safe operational limits, causing internal shorts and accelerating the potential for thermal runaway.

Therefore, careful oversight of both charging current and voltage helps maintain the battery's safe operating conditions and mitigates the risk of overheating or catastrophic failure. This is a fundamental practice in managing the safety of battery systems, ensuring that they operate efficiently and safely within designed parameters.