Charge controller

A charge controller, charge regulator or battery regulator limits the rate at which electric current is added to or drawn from electric batteries to protect against electrical overload, overcharging, and may protect against overvoltage.^[1]^[2] This prevents conditions that reduce battery performance or lifespan and may pose a safety risk. It may also prevent completely draining ("deep discharging") a battery, or perform controlled discharges, depending on the battery technology, to protect battery life.^[3]^[4] The terms "charge controller" or "charge regulator" may refer to either a stand-alone device, or to control circuitry integrated within a battery pack, battery-powered device, and/or battery charger.^[5]

^ "Charge Controllers for Stand-Alone Systems" (Web page), part of A Consumer's Guide to Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, U.S. Department of Energy. Retrieved on 2007-08-20.
^ National Fire Protection Association (2017). "Article 100 Definitions". NFPA 70 National Electrical Code. 1 Batterymarch Park, Quincy, Massachusetts 02169: NFPA. Retrieved October 9, 2023. Charge Controller: equipment that controls dc voltage or dc current, or both, and that is used to charge a battery or other energy storage device.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location (link)
^ Webarchive backup: Brown, David. "Technical Article: Battery Charging Options for Portable Products." (Commercial website). Analogic Tech, 2006-07-01. Retrieved on 2007-08-21.
^ "United States Patent 5475294: Charge controller for battery charger." (Website) Freepatentsonline.com. Retrieved on 2007-08-21.
^ Webarchive backup: "Remote Observation Station, Entry #F2040: Abstract."^{[dead link]} Circuit Cellar Flash Innovation 2003 Design Contest, via circuitcellar.com. 2003. Retrieved on 2007-08-21.

[eere-1] "Charge Controllers for Stand-Alone Systems" (Web page), part of A Consumer's Guide to Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, U.S. Department of Energy. Retrieved on 2007-08-20.

[NEC100Definition-2] National Fire Protection Association (2017). "Article 100 Definitions". NFPA 70 National Electrical Code. 1 Batterymarch Park, Quincy, Massachusetts 02169: NFPA. Retrieved October 9, 2023. Charge Controller: equipment that controls dc voltage or dc current, or both, and that is used to charge a battery or other energy storage device.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location (link)

[analogic-3] Webarchive backup: Brown, David. "Technical Article: Battery Charging Options for Portable Products." (Commercial website). Analogic Tech, 2006-07-01. Retrieved on 2007-08-21.

[4] "United States Patent 5475294: Charge controller for battery charger." (Website) Freepatentsonline.com. Retrieved on 2007-08-21.

[5] Webarchive backup: "Remote Observation Station, Entry #F2040: Abstract."^{[dead link]} Circuit Cellar Flash Innovation 2003 Design Contest, via circuitcellar.com. 2003. Retrieved on 2007-08-21.

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