BMS (Battery Management System)
Definition
Electronic system that monitors and manages battery pack operation, including cell voltage monitoring, temperature sensing, current measurement, state estimation, and safety protection.
Why It Matters
- Essential for lithium-ion battery safety and performance
- Prevents overcharge, overdischarge, and thermal runaway
- Provides state-of-charge and state-of-health estimates
- Implements cell balancing to maximize usable capacity
Common Pitfalls
- Relying solely on BMS for safety (hardware interlocks still needed)
- Not validating BMS accuracy across full voltage and temperature range
- Inadequate communication protocol robustness and fault handling
- Not considering BMS power consumption in standby modes