Battery Failure Mode and Effects Analysis Part 3

In part 1 and 2 of the article series Battery Failure Mode and Effects Analysis we identified that a battery mode and effects analysis is a procedure for identifying and understanding potential failure modes in a battery system. We found that a battery mode and effects analysis contains four main steps or phases including:

Battery Mode Pre-work - explained in part 1

Battery Failure Severity - explained in part 2

Battery Failure Occurrence - explained in part 2

Battery Failure Detection

Now in part 3 of Battery Failure Mode and Effects Analysis I will address Battery Failure Detection and wrap with a summary of the article series.

Battery Failure Detection

Battery failure detection is method of inspection that is used when examining failure modes within a battery system. The method of detecting a battery failure begins with a review of existing system controls that are designed to prevent failure modes. Next comes testing, analysis, and monitoring failures. The purpose of which is to understand why a particular mode is failing. When a failure mode occurs, a detection number that represents the likelihood of detecting a failure mode, is subsequently assigned, and after a series of detections the total number of detection numbers are collected and added together to give a total score of battery failure modes; the lower the detection number is the better the overall battery system design schema.

Remember as in all of the three previous articles it has been noted that the purpose of a battery failure mode and effects analysis is to identify and understand potential failure modes in a battery system. The reason why this is so important is that customers, who provide cash-flow (the lifeblood of a company), must be satisfied. Satisfaction as it relates to batteries is the lowest possible cost while still maintaining the best possible battery product. Thus insuring the lowest possible detection number is critically important to insuring the maximum potential of a company involved in battery design, manufacturing and sales.

Battery Failure Mode and Effects Analysis Summary

Over the last three articles we looked a battery failure mode and effects analysis and learned how helpful this procedure is for analyzing potential failure modes in a battery system. Discovering potential defects in a battery design or manufacturing process is extremely helpful in controlling business expenses and losses as well helping to make more efficient the overall battery development project. A battery failure mode and effects analysis is also closely associated with six sigma methodologies and is a proactive tool for reducing errors, reducing expenses, and increasing profits. Now you could probably find a failure mode and analysis software online or you can build a custom template (that would be my preference) to suit your individual needs. Regardless, simply integrating a battery failure mode and effects analysis into your battery design process, battery manufacturing process, and battery sales process is a valuable tool in helping providing the best possible product to customers.

? Dan Hagopian
You have permission to publish this article electronically or in print, free of charge, as long as the bylines are included with link. Dan Hagopian of http://www.batteryship.com is a known electronics author that specializes in battery power technology, portable power, and handheld electronic gadgets. His work can be found on the BatteryShip blog at http://www.batteryeducation.com. Dan frequently writes about battery development, battery failures, battery usage, and battery news and information from inside the battery industry. For further information please visit BatteryShip for all battery products or BatteryEducation for more battery articles.