Charger and Power Supply Safety Testing and Evaluation

The growing demand for portable electronic devices has led to development of numerous different battery technologies. Many different battery cell chemistries are optimized for different applications, and each combination has its own fundamental characteristics. Certain cell chemistries require complex chargers to ensure safe charging of the battery pack.

Power supplies are a part of all electronic system products. They are used for conversion of AC to DC, DC to AC, and DC to DC. Modern power supplies almost always include large electrolytic capacitors for short-term energy storage. Such capacitors often contain combustible electrolytes, which can be ignited by sparks resulting from power supply failures. Power supplies also are often integrated into the charger circuitry.

Exponent has considerable expertise in computer power supplies, battery technologies, chargers, and power adapters, and we routinely evaluate, test, and analyze chargers and power adapters. Exponent’s clients range from cell phone and notebook computer manufacturers to automotive system suppliers.

High-level testing on a typical cell/battery pack includes:

• Power adapter/charger circuitry review, inspection and analysis
• System integration and normal operation analysis
• Mechanical testing
• Charger/power supply construction reverse engineering
• Charger/power supply safety analysis
• Charger/power supply/battery pack communications analysis
• Charger/power supply analysis and testing under various environmental conditions. 

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