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Blog - LiFePO4
LFP cells will bloat if overcharged
The photo shows the results of an unattended charging from a regulated charger that had a failure. The cells were kept charging up to 4.8V per cell.
The result is obvious: due to the overcharge the cells start swelling and the housing expands.
On the other hand, this accident proved that LiFePO4 cells are a quite safe battery technology. In this hazardous situation, there was no significant temperature increase, no gas leak, no explosion, no fire. (With lithium polymer cells - so called „lipoly“ cells - such kind of over charge would result in an uncontrolled fire.)
The lesson taken from this accident:
- Never left batteries charged unattended.
- Always install multiple protections to have a backup protection in case of failure of the primary device.
- Operate batteries in places where there is a proper fire safety (not on a wooden table in a closed room).
- Even professionals can make a mistake or meet with a failure that can lead to an accident.
