Everything you need to know about IC Batteries

Image source Rantle

Most consumer electronics rely on batteries for power.  Think about any portable electronic device that you use daily, such as a smartphone. It draws its power from the battery.

Battery technology has also evolved over the years. Gone are the days of relying on low-end batteries. Modern devices are powered by IC batteries.

Is this your first time to hear about IC batteries? Well, each day allows you to learn something new. And this is why we are here for you. Through this guide, you will learn everything that you should know about IC batteries.

Perhaps you already know what IC batteries are and you are planning to use them in our application. If this is the case, you will still need some guidance.

Keep reading as we break down the nitty-gritty details of IC batteries. By the end of this article, you will be in a perfect position to choose the right battery IC for your application.

How does an IC battery work?

Like other types of integrated circuits, IC batteries are made of different electronic components that work together to achieve specific goals.

These components include transistors, resistors, capacitors, and diodes, among others. Each of these components has a specific role to play in an electric circuit. For example, resistors serve as voltage regulators while transistors are used for switching and amplification roles. Diodes direct electric current in desired directions.

An IC battery is first attached or connected to a target device where it is supposed to supply current.  Through this attachment, the chip will end up being part of the device’s circuit.

The IC battery will then control the power supply to the load. This is usually done when you are charging the device’s battery. The chip will relay small and consistent electric charges to the battery for a specific duration.

The charging process is usually triggered by the relay switches which open and close whenever the current receives electric signals from an external source. In most cases. The wall socket serves as the source though there are many other sources.

The duration of the charging process will depend on the specifications of the IC battery that is being used. Some IC batteries tend to be faster than others. The charging is considered complete only after the battery has attained a certain percentage of electric charge. Once that percentage is attained, the battery will automatically stop charging.

How does the chip facilitate the transfer of electric charges from the power source to the battery? Well, a series of procedures are involved in executing this move. One of the most important steps is power conversion. Through its internal electronic components, IC batteries convert AC power to DC.

Diodes in IC batteries prevent current from flowing in the opposite direction. By doing so, they minimize any possibility of the discharging process.

The converted power should match the requirements and specifications of the battery. It should not be too high as this will end up damaging the battery. Also, it should not be too low as it will slow the charging process or fail to charge the battery.

Benefits of IC batteries

Battery ICs are quite dominant in modern electronics. Technically, they are present in every electronic application. So, what is the main reason for their popularity? These chips come with an array of benefits which include:

Protection

These chips provide full protection from cases of both overcharging and discharging.

When it comes to overcharging, the chips ensure that the batteries don’t get more current or voltage than what is required. In doing so, they prolong the lifespan of the battery. While at the same time offering protection against unexpected damage.

Similarly, IC batteries protect against battery discharge. The presence of diodes in the chips prevents electric charges from flowing in the opposite direction. Deep discharge is known for lowering the lifespan of the battery.

Improves the charging efficiency

A battery charger is said to be efficient when it uses the right amount of power to charge the battery. IC batteries are included in batteries to improve the efficiency of charge controllers.

These chips ensure that there is no unexpected overdraw of current from the power source. Some advanced chips even adjust the charging process depending on the power levels of the battery. In some cases, users can control the rate of the battery charging process. 

Thermal protection

Temperature is one of the key parameters that affect the charging process. Probably you have experienced cases of overheating when charging batteries. This was probably due to poor thermal protection and management.

Most IC batteries come with advanced thermal protection features that eliminate any possibility of overheating during the battery charging process. Additionally, they come with automatic control mechanisms that regulate the charging process in case they detect high temperatures in the battery cells.

Power management

Load and power management is one of the advantages of using IC batteries in modern electronics. They regulate the flow of power or current from the battery to the load.

Many advantages come with the implementation of load management in electronics. One of them is optimized performance. The chip will supply maximum current in case you want to optimize the performance of the device.

Load management also plays a role in controlling the power usage of the device. For example, it lowers the supply of current in case you don’t need to get maximum performance.

Safety

As expected, safety is a major advantage that comes with using IC batteries. Through various protection mechanisms that we have just mentioned, the chips guarantee the safety of the device and even the user.

For example, by preventing overheating, IC batteries help to minimize cases of fire due to poor heat management. Additionally, protection from overcurrent and overvoltage also protects the load from various forms of electrical damage.

Topologies for the battery ICs

Each type of IC battery that you buy comes with a defined topology. Before you buy any chip, it is important to know its topology. The main IC battery topologies include:

Linear topology

This type of IC battery topology features a pair of two switches that separate the input and output terminals of the battery.

The arrangement of this topology means that the voltage of the battery chip can vary from the input to the pins that are connected to the load. It is a common topology that is used in most charge controllers.

Direct charge topology

In a direct charge topology, the IC  is connected to the external adapter from where it controls the charging process. Since the input of the chip is directly linked to the power module, power efficiency is one of the benefits that you stand to gain from this setup.

Direct charge topology is an in ideal setup for applications where performance and efficiency are the top priorities.

Dual charging topology

As the name suggests, this topology is characterized by the placement of two battery chargers in parallel to each other. This arrangement ensures that there is a maximum flow of electric current to the load during the charging process.

Dual charging topology is commonly used in smartphones and this is mainly because of its performance. 

Choosing IC batteries: What you should look for

Since IC batteries come in different designs, modes, configurations, and specifications,  you should be extra vigilant when it comes to choosing one.  Not only should the chip be compatible with your battery but also should deliver the desired performance.

Here are some of the factors that you should consider when choosing  IC batteries:

Type of battery charger IC: There are different types of battery charger ICs and each type is suitable for specific applications. The most common types include switching charger ICs, linear chargers, lithium charger ICs, and NiMH battery charger ICs.

Maximum charge current: Maximum charge current defines the performance of the IC battery. As much as you would like to choose the highest value, ensure that it matches the power requirements of your device. This is for the safety of your battery.

Voltage rating: Similar to the current, you should confirm the voltage rating of the IC batteries that you want to buy. The rating should match the power requirements of your battery. 

Conclusion

Are you looking for a reliable power source for your device or application? It would help if you considered getting the best IC batteries.

Other than just performance, the right IC battery will guarantee the safety of your device. It will ensure that each component gets the right amount of power and voltage to run.

Take your time to verify the quality and specifications of each  IC battery before buying. You will know whether the chip is compatible with your device.

Also, where you buy IC batteries matter. Buying from reputable sources will increase your chances of ending up with the best-quality chips. This implies that you should know the supplier or distributor before purchasing.

In case you are planning to buy IC batteries in China, consider choosing ICRFQ. We are a reputable electronic components supplier and IC batteries are among the products that we supply.