Re: Rechargeable and Non-Rechargeable batteries

[owner-emc-p...@majordomo.ieee.org]

Hi Chris:


>   1.  A case designed with a wall wart power input and a spot for AA sized
>   batteries.
>   
>   2.  The product would be designed to recharge AA sized NiMh batteries,
>   if installed.
>   
>   3.  Alternatively, the user could install AA sized alkaline batteries;
>   but they would have to set a switch in the battery compartment to
>   disable the charge circuitry.
>   
>   Assuming all warning labels and documentation were in place?  Is this a
>   generally accepted practice; or is it too unsafe to require the customer
>   to throw a switch.

For the purposes of safety, the switch is useless
because the charger would be tested with all AA-
sized batteries with the switch in both positions.

Today, low-cost battery-chargers include circuits
that can detect the type of battery and charge or
not charge accordingly.  I believe commercial 
battery-charger ICs are available which will both
detect the type of battery and charge (or not
charge) accordingly.


Best regards,
Rich






This message is from the IEEE EMC Society Product Safety
Technical Committee emc-pstc discussion list.

Visit our web site at:  http://www.ieee-pses.org/

To cancel your subscription, send mail to:
     majord...@ieee.org
with the single line:
     unsubscribe emc-pstc

For help, send mail to the list administrators:
     Ron Pickard:              emc-p...@hypercom.com
     Dave Heald:               emc_p...@symbol.com

For policy questions, send mail to:
     Richard Nute:           ri...@ieee.org
     Jim Bacher:             j.bac...@ieee.org

All emc-pstc postings are archived and searchable on the web at:
    http://www.ieeecommunities.org/emc-pstc