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Popular topics · Battery test systems

What is a battery cycler and what should be considered when choosing one?

A cycler works on the same principle as a potentiostat/galvanostat, but its aim is ageing and lifetime estimation through long-term charge/discharge. A selection guide based on experimental, analytical and safety/support criteria.

Key points

  • Principle: applying current and measuring voltage (galvanostatic) or the reverse (potentiostatic); AC measurement with an impedance option. Continuous charge/discharge gives capacity, internal resistance (current interrupt or impedance) and degradation information.
  • Because experiments can last months, an architecture of independent multiple channels speeds up the workflow. The current range must suit the cell, module or pack: BCS-905 ±150 mA (coin cells), BCS-910 ±1.5 A (R&D and pilot lines), BCS-915 ±15 A.
  • User profiles: life-cycle testing, device simulation (real usage profiles), general R&D techniques (GITT/PITT, chronopotentiometry, LSV) and advanced analysis (EIS, DCA/DCS, HPC). For R&D, resolution, precision and accuracy must be considered together.
  • EIS: a simultaneous EIS option on each channel in the MPG series (10 µHz - 100 kHz) and a sequential EIS option in the BCS series.
  • Analysis: values such as charge and power are calculated in hardware every 1 ms; only the selected sampling is sent to the software. Running experiments, graphs and analysis in the same software (EC-Lab, BT-Lab) allows analysis while the experiment runs. Temperature logging: PT100 on MPG, K-type thermocouples on BCS.
  • Safety and support: voltage, current, charge and temperature safety limits, an emergency stop that opens all circuits, low maintenance and strong technical support.

Figures

The voltaic pile (1800): zinc and copper discs with a brine-soaked separator.
Figure 1. The voltaic pile (1800): zinc and copper discs with a brine-soaked separator.
Criteria to consider when choosing a battery cycler: experimental (channel count, power, EIS), analytical (calculated values, graphs, temperature logging) and other (safety, software, support).
Figure 2. Criteria to consider when choosing a battery cycler: experimental (channel count, power, EIS), analytical (calculated values, graphs, temperature logging) and other (safety, software, support).
User profiles: life-cycle testing, device simulation, general electrochemistry R&D techniques (GITT/PITT) and advanced analysis (EIS, DCA, HPC).
Figure 3. User profiles: life-cycle testing, device simulation, general electrochemistry R&D techniques (GITT/PITT) and advanced analysis (EIS, DCA, HPC).
Resolution: the smaller the discrete measurement steps, the closer the digital value is to the actual value.
Figure 4. Resolution: the smaller the discrete measurement steps, the closer the digital value is to the actual value.
Accuracy versus precision: closeness to the target (accuracy) and closeness of the measurements to each other (precision).
Figure 5. Accuracy versus precision: closeness to the target (accuracy) and closeness of the measurements to each other (precision).
Safety features: software safety limits (voltage, current, temperature) and the emergency stop button on the instrument.
Figure 6. Safety features: software safety limits (voltage, current, temperature) and the emergency stop button on the instrument.

Images: Bio-Logic Science Instruments; taken from the source article.

Videos

What is a battery cycler? (Bio-Logic video)Watch on YouTube

Related application notes

Related curriculum module: Battery Testing and Characterisation

Related products:BCS-900 Series (BCS-905 / 910 / 915)MPG-200 Series (MPG-2 / MPG-205)BT-Lab® SuiteEC-Lab®
Source: Bio-Logic Learning Center, “What is a battery cycler?” · Source updated: June 6, 2025
Copyright of the images and the original text belongs to Bio-Logic SAS.

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