User Guide

BDSi General Description
4200-077 R3.4 1 6/19/2013
1 BDSi General Description
The BDSi is a battery monitor for UPS applications and is designed for installation inside UPS
battery cabinets. What sets Albér monitors apart from others is their ability to provide early
warning of battery problems. The monitor checks the state of health of each cell by performing a
proactive resistance test, a reliable predictor of battery performance. In addition, to indicate
immediate battery health and monitor status of a given location, the system reports to a Central
computer, a generic PC displaying status screens.
Using polling and data transfer algorithms, the Battery Monitor Data Manager program lets a
Central computer manage over 1000 monitor systems. Data is stored in the computer database
for later analysis and reporting. At any time, service personnel may call a battery location from
the Central computer or a remote location, such as from home, or directly connect to the
monitor without losing contact with the computer.
The Data Manager string and monitor status indicators make central battery monitoring easy.
Terms such as Discharging, Alarm or Warning for string status or Active for monitor status
quickly summarize events. Conditions reported to the Central computer are displayed as a list,
to easily identify trouble spots. The system also features several methods of automated
reporting of alarm occurrences, such as contacting key personnel via a pager, email or fax.
Flexibility was a major design consideration. Since the monitors can be installed without an
external computer, a primary protocol using MODBUS ASCII was selected to let you incorporate
the monitor into large-scale facility monitors. This allows third-party interfaces to access all the
stand-alone features of the monitor, yet leaves the advanced features of the Data Manager
remote communication software available for service personnel.
1.1 Normal Operating Mode
In normal mode, the system scans all parameters in one to five seconds, depending on the
configuration. As readings are taken, they are compared to user-programmed alarm levels. The
monitor can then call a Central computer and energize an alarm contact if a parameter exceeds
a level. Front panel LEDs indicate scan and alarm status, and alarm events are stored in
memory for future analysis. The BDSi can be programmed for critical and maintenance alarms.
1.2 Discharge Mode
If a discharge is detected, the system goes into a data logging mode and stores battery voltages
and discharge current into a discharge record.
1.3 Resistance Test Mode
A battery resistance test may be performed at user-set intervals. The test is similar to that
performed by the Albér Cellcorder. On a BDSi, up to ten intertiers can be configured for this
measurement.
1.4 Alarm Features
The monitor may be set to automatically call the Central computer to report an alarm condition
when detected. You can program thresholds on all monitored thresholds and a maintenance or
critical parameter can be delivered. When a parameter goes outside the normal range, the
monitor stores the event in memory, then the Alarm LED lights, and maintenance and critical
alarm relay with a Form C contact energizes. The alarms may be set for latching or non-
latching.