Are lithium battery protection boards and BMS (Battery Management System) the same thing?

Are you also confused about the difference between a lithium battery protection board and a BMS? Do they function the same way? Let's learn about them together. The main function of a lithium battery protection board is to provide energy to systems such as motors and energy storage devices. A BMS (Battery Management System) provides overcharge, over-discharge, over-temperature, overcurrent, and short-circuit protection. The lithium battery protection board provides charge and discharge protection for a series of lithium batteries, and the BMS is very important.

 

I. What is a Lithium Battery Protection Board?

 

During use, under certain conditions, overcharging and over-discharging can alter the internal structure of a lithium battery, affecting its performance and lifespan. In severe cases, it can even cause an explosion. The function of a lithium battery protection board is to protect the battery. In most cases, power lithium batteries must be used in conjunction with a protection board to ensure the safety and reliability of the entire system.

 

Main Functions of a Lithium Battery Protection Board

 

1. Overcharge Protection Function: This function stops charging when a certain voltage is reached.

2. Over-Discharge Protection Function: This function stops discharging to the load when the battery voltage drops.

 

3. Overcurrent Protection Function: Stops load discharge when high current is consumed. This function aims to protect the battery and MOSFET, ensuring battery safety during operation.

4. Short Circuit Protection Function: This is the core of the protection chip.

II. What is a BMS Battery Management System?

A BMS battery management system, commonly known as a battery nanny or battery manager, is mainly used for intelligent management and maintenance of individual battery cells, preventing overcharging and over-discharging, extending battery life, and monitoring battery status.

 

Functions of BMS Battery Management System

1. Measurement of battery terminal voltage

2. Energy balance between individual cells

3. Measurement of total battery pack voltage

4. Measurement of total battery pack current

5. SOC calculation: estimating the remaining power of the power battery

6. Dynamic monitoring of the operating status of the power battery pack: preventing overcharging or over-discharging of the battery.

 

7. Real-time Data Display

8. Data Recording and Analysis: Maintaining the reliability and efficiency of the entire battery operation.

9. Communication Network Function.

III. Differences between Lithium Battery Protection Board and BMS Battery Management System

Both the BMS battery management system and the lithium battery protection board are protective shields for lithium batteries, but the BMS management system is like the brain of the lithium battery, more intelligent, editable, and equipped with battery management software. The protection board consists of IC MOS components plus some resistors and capacitors, belonging to hardware protection. Compared with the protection board, the BMS battery management system is easier to operate and more convenient.

However, whether it can function normally in extreme low-temperature environments remains to be verified. The BMS (Battery Management System) is crucial for ensuring the safety of electric vehicles, charging station equipment, and personnel. This concludes the introduction to the differences between lithium battery protection boards and BMS. Hopefully, this explanation has clarified whether lithium battery protection boards and BMS are the same thing!